Last semester ds (who has some learning disabilities and special needs) got a D in math. I was trying to decide between getting him a tutor (which was really expensive) or doing a program at home to help supplement his learning.

I went with Horizons Math because I heard such good things about it.

Here is what I like so far.
1. It makes it seem easy. It starts with the basics and works up so slowly so kids don't get overwhelmed.

2. It repeats things on a regular basis. Instead of teaching fractions for two weeks and geometry for 2 weeks, it teaches 4 different mini subjects (only one new) each day and repeats them over and over again.

3. I'm not a math person but it was easy even for me to teach and to learn along with him (4th grade math).

But the best news of all, report cards came home yesterday and he went from a D to a B in math!!!!! 2 whole grades up! And all we did was about 20 minutes a day about 3 times a week.

It was worth every penny. We're only 1/4 of the way through so we'll keep working at it all summer (except when we're on vacation).

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That is so great that your DS was able to see such an improvement!

We have been doing a summer math program that is a refresher for what Michigan 5th graders should have learned throughout the year, and it is interesting to see where my DS struggles. I worked in the schools for several years, and I know how little personal time each student receives in class (not blaming the teacher, it's just a fact!). If a student doesn't catch a concept when it is presented - especially in math where concepts build on others - it can be very difficult to keep up! I have been adding support material to tutor DS in those weaker areas.

KH, how did you find out about this Horizon program, and how did you get it? I'd be interested to look at it!

Marlene

We have used some of Sonlight's materials and curriculum in the past. It was one of their recommended math programs. I looked at all of them extensively, read all the testimonials, and tried to find the one that would suit ds's personality and learning style the best (lots of review, not too difficult, building on concepts slowly and repeatedly, etc). Here is the link for their math page.

Sonlight Curriculum : Homeschool Math : Homeschool Curriculum Packages: Math Curriculum for Homeschoolers

PS I didn't order the Math Manipulative (I easily put the list together of what I needed for under $20). I only bought the "Horizons Math 4" which included a teacher handbook (big!) and two large student work books.
Sonlight Curriculum : Horizons 4 Math Package

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That's wonderful!

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Every time we start thinking we're the center of the universe, the universe turns around and says with a slightly distracted air, "I'm sorry. What'd you say your name was again?" ~ Margaret Maron

Thanks for the info. My son is entering 4th in the fall and struggles completely with math. He still has a hard time adding and subtracting I'm gonna look into this.

Congrats to your ds! My dd loves horizons math! She did HK last year and now is on 1st.

You can buy the Horizons math workbooks for $10 at rainbow resource and you don't need the teacher's guides, Really I haven't ever used any of mine for it! So you buy book 1 and 2 and spend only $20 on math for the year!

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A woman is like a teabag. You never know how strong she is until she gets into hot water.-Eleanor Roosevelt

Thanks for the link! I'm on my way to the site.

M

Wow! That's great news. It's true that I've found I didn't really need the teacher's guide and I really thought I would. I may try this next year. Thanks!

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