Math Supplements

When to use what:

For all levels

Cuisenaire Rods and/or Base Ten Blocks
Family Math
Flippers (tools for reviewing math terminology and concepts)
Hooked on Math (for younger grades)
Mathematics: Skills, Concepts, Problem Solving (Books AA-H)
Maximum Math
Unifix Cubes (for preschool-elementary)
Wonder Number Learning System

2nd grade

ADD-Arithmetic Developed Daily, Grade 1 or Grade 2
Addition Facts or Subtraction Facts in 5 Minutes a Day
Addition, Subtraction, and Multiplication Songs Kits
CalcuLadder
Designs in Math
Flashcards for Kids
Focus on Problem Solving B
Holey Cards
Hooked on Math
Key to Measurement series
Learning Wrap-Ups
Mathematical Reasoning through Verbal Analysis, Book 1
Mathematicians are People, Too, volumes one and two
Mathematics: Skills, Concepts, Problem Solving (Book B)
Mental Math, Second Grade
Moneywise Kids
Muggins and other games
Multiplication, Addition, Subtraction, Division audio tapes and workbooks from Twin Sisters
One Hundred Sheep, Skip Counting Songs from the Gospels
The Original Skip Count Kid or The Skip Count Kid’s Bible Heroes
The Quarter Mile Math Game
Quick Thinks Math, Book A1
Scratch Your Brain Where It Itches A-1
Times Tales
Triangle Flash Cards
24 Game: Single Digits, Add/Subtract Primer

3rd Grade

ADD-Arithmetic Developed Daily - Grade 3
Addition Facts in 5 Minutes a Day and Subtraction Facts in 5 Minutes a Day
Addition, Subtraction, and Multiplication Songs Kits
Calculadder®
Catholic Math Activities
Cranium Crackers, Book 1
Designs in Math
Focus on Problem Solving C
Grocery Cart Math
Holey Cards
Hooked on Math
Learning Wrap Ups
Math-It
Mathematical Reasoning through Verbal Analysis, Book 1
Mathematics: Skills, Concepts, Problem Solving (Book C )
Mental Math, Third Grade
Multiplication Facts in 5 Minutes a Day and Division Facts in 5 Minutes a Day
The Original Skip Count Kid or The Skip Count Kid’s Bible Heroes
The Quarter Mile Math Game
Quick Thinks Math, Book A1 or Book B1
Scratch Your Brain Where it Itches A-1 or B-1
Times Tales
24 Game: Single Digits, Add/Subtract Primer, Multiply/Divide Primer

Help for Slow Learners

Children who are having trouble mastering basic arithmetic need to slow down and back up. There is no point going on to fractions and decimals without first mastering addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, since those skills form the foundation for future learning.

Hands-on materials are one of the best ways of reviewing for two reasons. The first reason is that concrete learning methods often work best with children who have difficulty. The second reason is that, because such materials are not age-graded, they do not carry the below-grade-level stigma of younger level texts.

Often, repeated practice is the key, and workbooks can provide a useful format for that practice. However, it is wise to choose workbooks with fewer problems per page since slow students are often overwhelmed by the perceived immensity of the task. Books like the half-size arithmetic practice books from Essential Learning Products are much less intimidating than something like an A Beka or Modern Curriculm Press worktext.

Some workbooks have been written specifically to help remedial students. Computation Basics is one such series you might consider.

4th Grade

ADD-Arithmetic Developed Daily, Grade 4
AIMS Education Foundation - See review in 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
Baseball Math
Calculadder®
Catholic Math Activities
Cranium Crackers, Book 1
Designs in Math
Enright® Computation Series
Focus on Problem Solving D
Football Math
Fraction Mania
Grocery Cart Math
Holey Cards
Hooked on Math
Key to Decimals
Key to Fractions
Learning Wrap Ups
Math-It
Mathematical Reasoning through Verbal Analysis, Books 1 and 2
Mathematics: Skills, Concepts, Problem Solving (Book D)
Mental Math, Fourth Grade
Multiplication Facts in 5 Minutes a Day and Division Facts in 5 Minutes a Day
One card game
The Original Skip Count Kid or The Skip Count Kid’s Bible Heroes
The Quarter Mile Math Game
Quick Thinks Math, Book A1 or Book B1
Scratch Your Brain Where it Itches B-1
Times Tales
24 Game: Single Digits or Double Digits, Add/Subtract Primer, Multiply/Divide Primer
Using John Saxon's Math Books

CAUTION: Fourth or fifth grade is when the failure to understand concepts which have been taught earlier often shows up. Sometimes children can progress well through math programs by simple rote learning of processes. At upper levels they need to combine a number of processes and understand how and why to do so. If they have not understood what they have been learning, they begin to stumble at this point. If your child is having trouble with fraction functions or word problems at this point, back up and review as much as necessary before continuing. It will probably be necessary to reteach via a different method rather than simply repeating the same instruction the student did not comprehend the first time. Manipulatives are often the key to understanding in such situations.

Of particular interest at this level are Key To Fractions (Key Curriculum Press), which is very good for additional help with fraction concepts and the Focus on Problem Solving books (Continental Press) that provide additional practice with word problems.

5th Grade

If you’re using a math program that lacks manipulatives, think about supplementing your with hands-on presentations and/or applications, both to enhance learning and to make math more enjoyable.

ADD-Arithmetic Developed Daily, Grade 5
AIMS Education Foundation - See review in 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
Baseball Math
Calculadder®
Catholic Math Activities
Cranium Crackers, Book 2
Designs in Math
Enright® Computation Series
Focus on Problem Solving E
Football Math
Fraction Mania
Grocery Cart Math
Key to Decimals
Key to Fractions
Key to Geometry
Math-It
Mathematical Reasoning through Verbal Analysis, Book 2
Mathematics: Skills, Concepts, Problem Solving (Book E)
Mental Math, Fifth Grade
Multiplication Facts in 5 Minutes a Day and Division Facts in 5
Minutes a Day
One Card Game
The Original Skip Count Kid or The Skip Count Kid’s Bible Heroes
The Quarter Mile Math Game
Quick Thinks Math, Book A1 or Book B1
Scratch Your Brain Where it Itches B-1
Times Tales
24 Game: Fractions Edition
Using John Saxon's Math Books

6th Grade

Do not neglect practical application and rely on the textbook to cover everything. Look for life application situations to use math—at the market, figuring wallpaper/carpeting footage, balancing bank accounts, construction projects, and small business ventures.

ADD-Arithmetic Developed Daily, Grade 6
AIMS Education Foundation - See review in 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
Calculadder®
Cranium Crackers, Book 2
Designs in Math
Enright® Computation Series
Focus on Problem Solving F
Football Math
Fraction Mania
Key to Percents
Mathematical Reasoning through Verbal Analysis, Book 2
Mathematics: Skills, Concepts, Problem Solving (Book F)
Multiplication Facts in 5 Minutes a Day and Division Facts in 5 Minutes a Day
One Card Game
The Quarter Mile Math Game
Quick Thinks Math, Book A1 or Book B1
Scratch Your Brain Where it Itches B-1
Times Tales
24 Game: Fractions Edition (Item #3497)
Using John Saxon's Math Books

Junior/Senior High

AIMS Education Foundation - See review in 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum
Algebra I [video course] The Teaching Company
Algebra II [video course] The Teaching Company
Cranium Crackers: Critical Thinking Activities for Mathematics, Books 3 (Jr. High) and 4 (Sr. High)
Flip-Chip Algebra
Football Math
Math Life-Skills (Jr. High)
Math-Teacher [CD-ROM computer programs]
Mathematics for Everyday Living series
Mathematics: Skills, Concepts, Problem Solving (Books G and H)
MathXpert Algebra Assistant, Precalculus Assistant and Calculus Assistant [CD-ROM]
Number Power (remedial series)
Painless Fractions (Jr. High)
Saxon Teacher [CD-ROM computer programs for Saxon texts]
Scratch Your Brain Where it Itches C-1
Teaching Tape Technology
Using John Saxon's Math Books