Answer to Math Curriculum Question

In answer to your question, I would be happy to share what we have learned through responses that we have received concerning the Math Curriculum since we have offered it for sale. Many folks have trod the same path that you have. They have tried a number of math programs, but have not been satisfied with them. So, each year or two, they try a new one, always hoping to find one that really works for them. Of course, that is good, because these "searching folks" really do care about their children’s education.

At first glance, the Practical Arithmetic Series seems to pale in comparison to some of the colorful, flashy math books. They are just little hardcover, black and white text books. A few folks have purchased them and sent them immediately back possibly thinking they would never work for them. However, most folks gave them a good try, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The children have actually loved them! They have enjoyed working in them each day, completing one, or two, or even three pages a day.

The most shocking discovery they have made, is that without fail, everyone had to put their children back a grade or more in math! Yes, regardless of what math curriculum these people were using, their children were behind their grade level in these books. The parents were very thankful to have found these books because, at last, they believe if their children work through them steadily, their children will possess a thorough education in math when completed.

Upon realizing what a math education was a generation ago, and what their children are really capable of learning, the majority response that we have had is that the parents using these math books find them far superior in depth and scope to anything else available. It seems that home schooling parents are being tempted to take the same easy route that is being taken by the schools that they have not patronized. Many curriculums are simply doing the same thing. They are using easy methods and awarding grade levels with less and less learning in order to make parents think that they are superior products. This, however, does not necessarily equate to the amount of math that should really be learned by any given age or grade level.

The following is a sample of the scores of comments that we have received.

–Just math during math time. No fairy tale stories, no Bible lesson, no spelling words, just solid math.

–Puts math skills to immediate use in practical, daily situations which reinforces math concepts.

–Teaches the children to reason and think, not just memorize.

–No silly and foolish problems, so the children do not feel they are wasting their time.

MORE ABOUT THE ARITHMETIC BOOKS

–The books are written for children in children’s language.

–Most problems relate to the life and interests of pupils.

–When a new topic is being presented, the pupils will know why the topic is important and how it is used in life.

–Every new operation or detail of a process is thoroughly covered.

–All the abstract (word problems) exercises have been constructed in such a way as to provide drill on all the fundamental number combinations, with ample repetition of those recognized as difficult.

–Students are taught to check their own work.

And so much more...

We chose to carry these math books because they comprise the most thorough, in-depth, program for teaching young people math skills that we have found. We feel, and many people have found, that this math curriculum, from years ago, is literally years ahead of the current curriculums of today. And to top it off, they are also probably the most affordable.

On the issue of instruction, we have seen no math book that can teach math skills with no parental help or instruction at some point. These books are as instructive as any we have seen and are very good in the area of introducing the student to new skills. We feel that these books truly achieve excellence in education and really still do not sacrifice ease of education.

We welcome additional comments.

God bless you in your endeavor to educate your own children.

Susan Zakula