You may have noticed that I mentioned in my 4th Grade Plans for 2022-2023 article that my 9yo is a wee bit resistant to school work in the moment. This includes math. In fact, she claims that she hates math. Much to my pocketbooks chagrin, in the last year, we tried several different math programs. She didn’t really care for any of them. When the time came to search for curricula for this year, I’m over hear literally searching homeschool math for kids who hate math. Deep breath. As I’m searching, she comes in and says, “Mom, can I just go back to CTCMath?” Um, YAH!
Homeschool Math for Kids Who Hate Math
Honestly, I was a bit relieved when she asked to go back to CTCMath. I came to appreciate the flexible math lessons from CTCMath in the past when we sought math help from CTCMath with our oldest daughter. She still struggles with memorizing basic math facts and we’re using CTCMath for her along with a class at our local learning center.
CTCMath is a great homeschool math program for kids who hate math because each lesson is short and easy to understand. Each lesson has a short video (usually less than 10 minutes long) with a set of review questions for that math concept. While kids *can* attempt the review questions before watching the video, I have had to set the ground rule that my kids *may* not. This keeps them from missing a refresher on concepts they know, but more importantly, it keeps them from missing key information from concepts they don’t know. You can also set the “passing” grade for each student, which helps to ensure they are mastering the concept, not just doing the work to be done.
The way CTCMath is set up, students may work on any lesson of their choosing, or you can assign tasks to them to complete, from any level, on certain days.
One of my favorite features is that you can also check the box to “Hide year level of lessons and diagnostic tests from student”. I check this box EVERY time I assign a task. I don’t want either kiddo getting upset when an assignment is below their grade level, or to be boastful when an assignment is above their grade level.
There is also a check box that allows you to require lessons to be completed in the order they are listed. This is helpful when assigning concepts that build on each other.
The CTCMath curriculum is sequentially ordered and moves naturally from topic to topic, increasing in complexity, as it progresses. CTCMath also uses the mastery method or mastery approach to teaching math, which is a plus for us, because spiral curriculums induce tears around here.
You can search all courses (or grades) for concepts to assign tasks. For example, my kiddo that struggles with multiplication gets multiplication work assigned from all levels to help reinforce the concept.
We do a four day school week at home, so I assign CTCMath tasks to my 9yo for 4 days/week. My 13yo is taking a math class at a local learning center also, so she only gets CTCMath tasks assigned 3 days/week.
With so much resistance to math, we’re spending a chunk of time reviewing concepts we’ve previously learned to reinforce them. Because we’re refreshing below grade level concepts, I typically assign 2 lessons per day. If it’s a concept I KNOW she’s mastered and we’re just refreshing it to build on it, I might assign 3 lessons.
In the student dashboard, it looks like this:
She usually thinks she’s hit the jackpot on days there are only 2 lessons assigned, but in honesty, that’s about 40 math questions, so I think it’s sufficient. Once we’re finished with reviewing previously learned concepts, I’m sure I’ll drop down to just one lesson per day and aim for mastery of those (which means more questions per lesson).
In general, I try to set all homework with a start date on Monday’s and then each day’s work is assigned a due date. For the assignment above, she can start on it on Monday, but it’s actually due on Thursday. This enables her to work ahead on the days she feels like it, but keeps her on task on the days that she doesn’t without her feeling overwhelmed. I generally spend time each weekend assigning the tasks for the following week.
CTCMath is a browser based online math program. Students do need to be able to access and log into the website to use it, and need an internet connection to complete lessons and review questions online. CTCMath can be used on all modern HTML5 platforms, including iOS devices such as iPads and iPhones, and Android devices.
The fact that my kiddo can use this on her own device with our wifi is awesome. There are days when she just needs to go sit on the porch to do her math.
CTCMath does also offers worksheets for each lesson, which come as in-program PDFs. These can be printed out and worked on offline. While I’ve printed off worksheets a few times, the truth is, she prefers to learn math online. They also offer free online math tutorials via YouTube videos!
As a homeschooler, I also love that CTCMath is homeschool friendly. CTCMath is half-price for homeschoolers! That’s pretty spectacular, if you ask me!
What’s more, as I mentioned earlier, with a CTCMath membership, you have access to all grades and lessons. There are no restrictions allowing freedom to move back and forward. And with a Homeschool Family membership, you can save even more!
All in all, we’re pleased with CTCMath. While my kiddo still isn’t a fan of math (AT ALL) the lessons are short enough that she’ll tolerate them so she can get on with her day.
