Horizons Homeschool Math Review
I have greatly benefited from other blogger’s posts about curriculum they use, so I’m going to start posting occasionally about specific curriculum we use in hopes that someone will benefit from my posts, too!
Anyway, this is my third year using Horizons Math with Kathryn. We used Singapore Math her kindergarten year, and Saxon for 1st grade. Kathryn hated the math drills with Saxon, and there seemed to be so much repetition. So we tried Horizons 2 for second grade, and it has worked really well for us.
Kathryn loves that there is some color to the pages. Not overwhelming like in some curriculum, but Saxon had no color at all, and Kathryn likes pretty. The quality of the paper in the workbooks is better, too. She can actually erase an answer without tearing the pages, which was a problem in her Saxon workbook.
We both like that there is not a great deal of repetition, but the concepts are all covered extensively. This is done through a spiraling method. So a concept is introduced in one lesson, and it will reappear in the next several lessons consecutively. Then it re-appears every few lessons over the next two months or so. Periodically, every concept will pop back up as it cycles in and out of lessons over the school year.
I usually don’t require Kathryn to do every problem in a lesson. She must do at least half of each kind of problem, and if she gets those correct, she doesn’t have to do the remaining problems. If she misses one, however, she must do the rest of that type of problem to make sure she really does understand the concept.
Every ten lessons, there is a test. We just do this as a regular day’s assignment, except I usually don’t help her, unless it’s to clarify the instructions. I’m thinking that keeping just those tests from each year’s work would be a nice sample for our homeschool records. Kathryn has scored very well in standardized testing for math, so I can’t complain in that regard either.
I also like that the teacher key is well organized, and clearly lists when which concepts appear in which lessons. The only negative I have about Horizons Math at all is that it only goes through 6th grade. There are plenty of good options for upper level math, though, and Switched-On Schoolhouse is published by the same company as Horizons, so that’s one to consider.
Wife, mom, J-ma. Introvert who enjoys good books, sunshine, and authentic conversation. Often seen with a steaming mug of tea in hand – unless it’s lost yet again in the microwave. Read more »
Hi Jamie, Ryan from Alpha Omega Publications here! Thanks so much for your kind review and sharing your thoughts.
I’m using Horizons with my kids too and I’m impressed with it. 🙂
I have only heard good things too but I have never used it! Many friends do. I like Teaching Textbooks b/c it does go all the up 🙂
Horizon’s is my son’s favorite by far. Mine, too, though we do pull from Singapore and several other sources. Math is a favorite subject around here. I think Horizons can take credit for some of that!
We started out using Horizons Math in the beginning, but since math is my least favorite subject, I wanted a heftier teacher’s manual. I really the workbooks, and all the colors and graphics. We’re using Saxon Math now with my younger two, and Teaching Textbooks with my older one. Saxon is my favorite when it comes to teacher’s manuals because its so thorough. I love Teaching Textbooks because she can do the lessons all by herself. I just have to check the grade book. HUGE timesaver for me!
I use Horizons with my fourth grade and Kindergarten student….love it! I love the mastery that is developed without too many drill and practice problems. I think it promotes real world math skills as well.
We’re using Saxon 1st grade for my 6 year old. He’s doing well, but there is too much desk work for an active boy! I find myself skipping the worksheets every other day. So far, I haven’t noticed that hurting him, but we may try something else next year,
Hey Jamie, catching up on my blog reading today and just wanted to say thanks for posting this. I am always looking for reviews on homeschooling stuff and I have thought about Saxon because it seems like everyone uses it but I do hear complaints that it is too worksheet-y so I am glad to have a review of something different. Will definitely check it out for next year.
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Thank you for the review. Just yesterday, I was looking at them in the store and actually didn’t like them. It is good to hear your points. I will consider it with my second child. She learns differently from number One. We use Abeka and love it. I bought it again for next year.