I really think that Teaching Textbooks has saved my sanity.
In general, I try to keep the kids studying the same topics for history, geography, and science. With math that’s impossible though. Five kids means five different levels of math and that is a lot of daily work for me to grade.
I found that it was taking me a couple of days to get their math lessons graded and back to them (ok, maybe 5 or 6 days). By that time, the kids were making the same mistakes for a few days in a row without me catching it. It just wasn’t working. Plus, I had to present the lesson to each kid. I would much rather spend my schooling time with them reading fun history books and doing science experiments. Math is not my thing.
So, I switched to Teaching Textbooks a number of years ago and have never looked back. We now own levels 3-Pre-Algebra (we’re buying Algebra next month). Even though it’s a little pricier than some of the other programs out there, I think that it’s worth every penny. It’s not consumable, so I can reuse it each year for the next kid. I only have to buy the highest level each year for my oldest daughter.
Some of the reasons I love Teaching Textbooks:
1. It presents each lesson in a fun but informative way.
2. The kids get immediate feedback. If they miss a problem, it shows them step by step how to do it correctly. I think this is so important!! They don’t continue making the same mistakes over and over.
3. It keeps all of their scores in a grade book. Less work for me.
4. It’s fun! My kids love choosing their “buddy” to do math with them.
5. As I mentioned before, it’s not consumable. I can use this for all of my kids without purchasing it for each of them. We do have the workbooks for some of the levels, but the kids just use these if we are out and about and not able to get to the computer.
6. They offer single replacement discs for sale. I can’t emphasize how grateful I am for this. I had a kid step on one disc and another scratched one of them to pieces. For $15 you can get a replacement disc and not have to buy the entire curriculum again. The company is very friendly and helpful.
If you are thinking of buying this program, you can do sample lessons for each of the levels before you decide. Give it a try!!
{I was not compensated by Teaching Textbooks in any way for this review}.
This program has been PERFECT for my distractible child. When confronted with a sheet full of problems, E is overwhelmed to the point of tears, no matter the level of difficulty. She doesn’t know where to begin; her eyes swim; she can’t focus; she avoids. Suddenly ten minutes are gone and she’s busily demolishing her eraser. With Teaching Textbooks ONE problem is presented at a time; the computer talks to her, gives her hints; and she breezes through. I would highly recommend this for the ADDers out there!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE teaching textbooks!!!! We have used it for a few years now, and it is worth every single penny!