Cathy Duffy Recommended Reads for Homeschoolers - Maths and Science

Sometimes having too many choices isn't actually the most helpful. I remember a time when I was at Thornton's chocolate shop looking for a gift. There was so much to choose from! I just couldn't make up my mind whether to go for milk, dark or white, lemon meringue, blackberry parfait, chocolate mousse or strawberry delight... What's a girl to do? I just bought the shop! That was a time when I wished I'd had less choice, or at least some recommendations as a starting point. 

The same approach applies to educational resources. I have so many books, schemes of work, work plans, assessment packs etc that I could easily open my own library! I wished I'd had someone to guide me. 

This is where Cathy Duffy comes in. Cathy is the know-all when it comes to homeschool curriculum. She has reviewed hundreds of homeschool resources to help educators like me and you make an informed decision when shopping for homeschool curriculum. So as soon as I see a product has been approved by Cathy Duffy, I am more likely to trust it.

Here’s a handful of Cathy-approved educational picks available at Educents.com. I hope these double-recommended educational resources will relieve you from endless hours of shopping around for the best (and most cost-effective) homeschool curriculum.

Elementary Math & Science

Life of Fred Elementary Math

 

 If you haven't heard of Life of Fred, you're in for a real treat. Dr. Stanley F Schmitt is a maths teacher who developed this story-based maths learning series that has taken homeschooling by storm! Forget rote learning that doesn't resonate; learners follow Fred and his pals through life and learn maths concepts along the way. Kids sometimes don't even know they're learning maths until they're told! Each book has a topic, like Apples, Butterflies, and Cats. I recommend supplementing maths learning with science or social studies on the same topic!

   

Math Lessons for a Living Education

 

 Math Lessons for a Living Education is based on the premise that "content, story, and the ability to show maths in real life" is what makes a great maths curriculum! In everyday life, there aren’t barriers between “subjects.” For example, when cooking or baking, we use the skills of reading, logical thinking, and measuring. This "living" maths series is committed to teaching maths in the same organic way!

 

Math Mammoth Light Blue Series

 

 This homeschooling favourite series constitutes a full elementary mathematics curriculum for grades 1-7! Homeschool parents love Math Mammoth because kids can learn on their own with the comprehensive student books, it focuses on conceptual learning, it is visually engaging, and chapters are organised by topics and themes. But don't just take our word for it! Here's what one very happy homeschool parent had to say: "We have tried three different maths curriculum programs but this one seems the best for the teacher and student."

 

A+ Interactive Math (by A+ TutorSoft, Inc.)

Make your homeschool maths journey EASY! This interactive maths curriculum does it all for you--teaching, grading, and tracking! A+ allows you to personalise the lesson plans to target exactly what your student needs. And you have the option to choose whichever format works the best for you: online, on CD, or eBooks.

 

 

Mathematical Reasoning Level A

Do your kids dread maths lessons and drill sheets? This fun and colourful book engages kids with easy-to-follow explanations, examples, and charts. Your kindergartner will learn foundational concepts through these delightful lessons.

     

enVision Math

This visually rich curriculum centres on a topic at a time, allowing your child to master a concept before moving on to the next. Build a strong maths foundation using fun worksheets and activities! Each enVision Math Homeschool Bundle includes a Student Edition Worktext and a Teacher Edition CD-ROM.

     

Middle School Math

Life of Fred Intro to Algebra

 

I really can't say enough about the Life of Fred series! Kids learning algebra and beyond will enjoy the stories and learn the concepts through holistic learning. If your learner is new to Fred but at a more advanced level, it has been recommended that they start from the beginning. That said, re-learning a few known concepts in the Life of Fred framework will help them get up to speed with story and succeed with the series.

 

Life of Fred Financial Choices

 

 As your kiddos get older you may also want to instil strong financial decision-making. The Life of Fred Financial Choices book is a great intro. And if we're being honest, there's never a bad time for parents to brush up on this either!

 

 

Science for the Family

Magic School Bus Nature Bundle

Summer is a great time to get the whole family involved with experiments to foster learning and family bonding! This set comes with four science kits and covers topics like:

• Weather - learn about rainbows, tornadoes, the greenhouse effect, and more.
• Going Green - learn about recycling, compost, and making new paper out of old!
• Solar Energy - watch solar energy inflate balloons and spin a top.
• Wonders of Nature - build an ant hill, dissolve an egg shell, do an animal tracks exercise.

A Reason for Science

"A Reason For Science® is designed to teach basic Life, Earth, and Physical Science concepts through fun, hands-on activities. Its focus is to make learning both fun and meaningful." This interactive science series can involve the entire family as students and parents engage in group discussions and problem-solving. Students can talk through higher-level cognitive questions with this inquiry-based series that gets both minds and hands involved!

   

Science Detective A1

Help your kids be science detectives while engaging them in mind-building exercises! Science Detective will prepare your students for more advanced science courses and give them opportunities to stretch their reading comprehension and reasoning skills.