Math Works textbooks are the perfect choice for homeschooling moms, especially if your child needs extra review and practice with key concepts. Available only for grades 5 and 6, the texts are a remediation course for pupils who have had trouble in mathematics up to grade 4.
Created by the same company that produces the Singapore Math and Primary Mathematics texts, the Math Works books review the foundation and concepts taught in primary mathematics, but they also introduce new concepts, albeit more slowly than in the standard Primary Mathematics books. Because of these factors, students who previously used another company’s primary mathematics textbooks can succeed with the Math Works textbooks. Though they proceed more slowly through concepts than other Singapore Math textbooks, they cover the same scope and follow a similar sequence to comparable math texts; they do not omit any important concepts. They retain the basic layout and methodology of the Singapore Math system for primary mathematics.
Though they proceed more slowly through concepts than other Singapore Math textbooks, they cover the same scope and follow a similar sequence to comparable math texts; they do not omit any important concepts. They retain the basic layout and methodology of the Singapore Math system for primary mathematics.
Math Works was done in Singapore. Occasionally, there are references to Singapore and some conventions with which U.S. students may be unfamiliar. These differences are minor. For example, spaces (not commas) are used to separate numerical values. Instead of the word “review,” it’s “revision.”
Each level of the Math Works course includes two full-color teacher’s guides, two full-color student textbooks, and four black-and-white workbooks with activities. Smaller-size images of both the student textbook and activity books are included in the teacher guides; answers are printed over the top of the images. The wide margins provide information about lesson planning and presentation, potential trouble spots for students, and suggestions for further reading. Class presentations assume one is working within a large classroom setting, but the recommendations can be easily modified to suit the homeschooling environment.
Class presentations assume one is working within a large classroom setting, but the recommendations can be easily modified to suit the homeschooling environment.
Level 5 of the Math Works program starts with place value. The remediation process begins right away, and students are retaught basic operations, including division. As they progress through the two texts, students will cover concepts related to fractions, decimals, and percentages.
The companion teacher’s guides provide detailed lesson plans that homeschooling parent-teachers can use to help their students. The guides incorporate teacher-led discussion, learning aids (located at the end of the teacher’s guide), manipulatives, and calculator use. The use of these guides and learning aids, along with a wide variety and a large number of both word and application exercises, ensures that parent-teachers have all they need to ensure their student learns effectively. Remember that these particular books do spend a lot of time on review and cover a large range of material, so if the book’s pacing doesn’t
Remember that these particular books spend a lot of time on review and cover a large range of material, so if the book’s pacing doesn’t suit your student, it is perfectly acceptable and helpful to slow down.
Math Works can be a very effective and attractive tool for homeschooling parents and their children. Its colorful presentation, slower pace, and ample review time will ensure that pupils are engaged, and homeschooling moms will appreciate the helpful suggestions for lesson planning, use of learning aids, and suggestions for further reading. Math Works can help make math an enjoyable subject and set your student on the road to success.