Math Curriculum

There are two main approaches to teaching math. Understanding the approaches can help you decide which curriculum will work for you and your child. 

Mastery - One concept is taught at a time to develop deep, conceptual understanding. example: You will have an entire unit or chapter dedicated to multiplying fractions. 

Spiral - Concepts are cycled throughout the curriculum and with each introduction, the information is presented with new depth and/or complexity.  

There are pros and cons to each method and you may find that different approaches work for different children. I have found that my children prefer a mastery approach for the main instruction, but with a spiral element of review for concepts already taught. 

Shopping Tip: All companies offer placement tests and sample lessons. Take advantage of these resources to properly place your student and to see if you enjoy it. When it comes to placement, I always opt to doing a lower level if a child is struggling. Feeling successful in math is better than feeling defeated and frustrated. If you need to place your student in a "lower" level than you expected, don't worry. Many times students complete easier units quickly and "catch-up" very quickly.  

Math curricula we've used in our homeschool: 

Math Mammoth (Grades 1 - 8) 

We used Math Mammoth when we first started homeschooling, and it’s a solid, straightforward mastery program—no fluff, just clear instruction. The workbooks include both the teaching and practice, which is super convenient. That said, if your child doesn’t quite catch on from the in-text explanations, there is no teacher's guide for further support. If you have a math-minded student and teacher, this curriculum is a great fit. I did fine with this curriculum until we hit the Pre-Algebra levels (7 and 8) and found I needed something with more teacher support. 

The author has some great resources that I still reference. She also has a great offering of ad-free and cost-free math games on her website. We use these all the time to practice math concepts. 

Math with Confidence (Grades K - 5, 6 will be released in spring 2026)

I currently use this math curriculum with my elementary kids, and it’s hands-down my favorite. I’ve used all the levels available, some multiple times, and by the end of Level 6, students are ready for Pre-Algebra.

It includes a Teacher’s Manual and Student Workbook (one workbook for K–2, two for 3–6). The Teacher’s Manual is a standout—it offers clear explanations, helpful scripts, and teaching tips that explain the “why” behind each concept. It even includes vocabulary cues, book suggestions, and simple games to reinforce learning. I truly enjoy teaching math with this program—and my kids enjoy it too!

Denison Algebra (Pre-Algebra - Adv. Algebra + Trig)

I can't sing praises enough for this curriculum! Here is the description straight from their website:

"If algebra is a potentially "iffy" subject for your homeschool student, you've come to the right place. Our courses are designed to build confidence and prepare your student for success in high school and college math, even if they've had trouble with it before now."

Even though their curriculum is designed for the struggling math student, it's in no way watered down or easy. Here is an article on how it prepares for the ACT/SAT. There are two tracks available from Denison Algebra. A traditional high school math track and a Success track which is specifically for students who have extreme struggles with math. This is a solid non-honors math track for high school students. 

If you have a student with a specific interest in a STEM field, they may want to peruse a different math curriculum to stretch their skills. This is also the recommendation on Denison Algebra's website. 

The author offers a guide to assist you in planning high school math courses for your student. He offers different plans based on the goals of your individual student. I found it very helpful!

Other curricula that we haven't used, but come highly recommend:

Math U See

Saxon - a true spiral approach to math. I will say, my mother used this for time for me when I was homeschooled. I hated it, so many tears. Just saying ... but maybe it will work for you. ;) 

Mr. D Math and Shormann for high school level math. These are great options for a "honors" track or very STEM minded students. 

The Good and the Beautiful - I've heard both pros and cons about this one, but it is popular and I've heard easy to teach, so it is worth mentioning.