What we have used for math

 We have used a variety of curriculum for math over the course of the time we have been homeschooling.  The very first curriculum that we used for math was MEP.  We used MEP Reception and Year 1 with my oldest, and Reception with my middle child.  I liked them, especially the early lessons because they progressively worked on skills with smaller numbers, and by the time larger numbers were introduced, my children really understood how the skills worked.  My main issue was with integrating the instruction in the middle that did not relate to a problem on the worksheet.  This was more of an issue of just the way my brain works.  

In between this, my oldest and middle went to Catholic school for 2nd-3rd grade and 1st-2nd grade.

We next used Math Mammoth 2 and 4 for my oldest and middle.  I liked the way that Math Mammoth taught the material, but my children are actually very strong math students, and got bored easily with too much practice over a topic.  During 2nd and 4th grade, we actually moved to using Khan Academy (for my oldest) and Khan Academy Kids (for my middle), and my youngest who was still in Pre-K used Khan Academy Kids. 

I really liked using Khan Academy at that time.  We used Khan Academy from 3rd grade math through part of Algebra.  Although they do have video instruction, I generally gave the instruction and sat with the kids as they worked through the math.  I required my children to complete the quizzes and tests only, but they had to work until 100% mastery.  During 2024 or 2025, the Restart a Lesson button changed or was removed, and that caused my children to no longer like doing Khan Academy, because it affected the way they made progress on the lessons.  

My oldest finished Algebra with a book called Everything You Need to Ace Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 in One Big Fat Notebook.  This book is part of a series that gives very clear summaries of the formulas, etc for the topics it covers.  It's a good reference book and inexpensive.

For my youngest who just completed 4th grade, we used Minimalist Math 4, plus some extra review of multi-digit multiplication and long division.  I plan to use Minimalist Math 5 next year for him.  Minimalist Math according to the creator: "This curriculum consists of 10 problems per week for 36 weeks. The 10 weekly problems are each very distinct and cover 10 different subject areas. The weeks progressively get more difficult."  Since my children do best without excessive review once they learn math material, this curriculum is working well for my youngest.

This past year, my middle daughter has spent a lot of time not feeling well due to her chronic illness.  However, she had already completed Pre-Algebra before starting 7th grade, so I let her take a break from math this year.  

My oldest took a College Math class at the community college, so she didn't do math with me this past year. 

I recently bought Summit Math Algebra 1 for my middle daughter to use for Algebra 1.  I think that the guided discovery and real world scenarios will work will her.  

Summit Math will be releasing their Geometry curriculum on June 1, and that is what I plan to use for my oldest this year.

The other reason that I was interested in Summit Math was that they offer Algebra 2 and Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry as well in a similar format.  Although my oldest won't need any more math after this year, my middle child plans to go to medical school, so she will need to do through at least Advanced Algebra/Trigonometry.