Rather than jumping right in to a math curriculum, I recommend to newbie homeschoolers that they first take a break to show their children that math can be fun and relevant.
Then.... When you're ready..l have them take a no-pressure placement test like this one from Math-U-See or another program.
When my should-have-been 7th graders took this test, it became loud and clear to me that they needed to go back to the 3rd grade level, Gamma, and catch up. Math is sequential and if you don't know the basics, like multiplication, life for mom and student is going to be very, very difficult.
One of the good things about Math-U-See is that the levels are labeled with the Greek alphabet, so my 13-year-old struggling learners didn't have to see "3rd grade" on their books. Even if they had, I would have just explained that if they go back and review the lower levels, math in general will be much easier for them. Now we're in our 4th year of homeschooling and C16 has completed Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Pre-Algebra and more than half of Algebra.
If you're worried about blowing the budget by purchasing so many levels, consider investing in a program with a strong resale value (like Math-U-See) or using a free curriculum like the Khan Academy.
Four years ago when we began homeschooling I wasn't sure of which math program to choose. My kids hated math, probably because they were so far behind. So, I made this declaration to my newly-adopted pre-teen sons:
"For the first month we won't touch a single math textbook."
During our first month we focused on finding our spot, exploring different homeschool options and showing our kids that school can be fun.
As far as math was concerned, here are some of the things we tried that went well:
We read "living math" books, like The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat.
So you just pulled your child out of traditional school?
After you have decided that homeschooling is right for your family and met all your state's legal requirements, I suggest a different first step than most. Many will suggest starting by choosing a curriculum, and I say... that can wait a minute.
What?
Am I out of my mind?
Maybe, but try to stick with me...
If your children have already been in a traditional school setting, you'll need some time for them to decompress and for you to figure out your child's learning style. Wait to spend the money and countless hours researching curriculum.
First step: find your spot.
Create a weekly routine around a museum your child enjoys (get a family membership!). There's probably a zoo, science center, or art museum in your area. There's the library. A park. A cozy coffee shop where you can read. There are lots of possibilities and spots to try on!
Maybe this will be your permanent spot, but it could change with the season or your interests, and that is okay.
Why?
