Finding the Right Homeschool Math Curriculum: My Journey Through Primary Mathematics, Living Lessons, Dimensions Math, and Teaching Textbooks

Math is one of those subjects that either goes smoothly or feels like a total uphill battle, right? I’ve definitely experienced both sides with my girls, and I know a lot of you can relate. After homeschooling for several years, I've tried a few different curriculums. I wanted to share my thoughts and experiences to help you choose the best math path for your family.

My Longtime Love for Primary Mathematics (aka Singapore Math)

For years, I was using Primary Mathematics with my older girls, and I absolutely loved it! Some of you might know this program better as Singapore Math—it’s designed to build a solid foundation in math using a three-step learning process: concrete, pictorial, and abstract. It’s great for visual learners, and I loved how it really helped my girls develop strong problem-solving skills.

But, as homeschool moms know, not every curriculum fits every child perfectly. My 7-year-old, for instance, was doing fairly well with Primary Mathematics, but I had the itch to try something different for her this year.

Our Switch to Living Lessons for a Math Education by MasterBooks

So, I decided to try Living Lessons for a Math Education by MasterBooks with my 7-year-old. It’s a more relaxed, Charlotte Mason-inspired approach to math, with short lessons that focus on real-life application. If you’re a Charlotte Mason fan, this might be right up your alley!

I like how the lessons are gentle, and the language is approachable for younger kids. However, I’ve found that we need to supplement with some extra practice. It’s not as drill-heavy as Singapore Math, which is great for some kids but can leave gaps in basic fact fluency if your child needs more repetition (like mine). I usually grab a few extra worksheets or apps for her to practice, and that seems to balance things out nicely.

When Math Became a Source of Frustration for My 7th Grader...

Now, on to my 7th grader. We had been using Primary Mathematics for years, and I was planning on transitioning her to Dimensions Math, which is the more advanced version from the same company, Singapore. I was super excited about this switch because Dimensions Math offers a more in-depth look at topics like algebra and geometry, and I thought it would be the perfect step up.

But somewhere along the way, things changed. Math went from being her favorite subject in 6th grade to a source of frustration for both of us. She was getting discouraged, and I started to wonder if we had accidentally skipped over some important foundational concepts. It was a tough situation, and I knew we needed to make a change.

Our New Plan: Teaching Textbooks for 7th Grade

After a lot of research, I decided to try Teaching Textbooks with her. This curriculum is more hands-off for me (which is a big help with four kids to juggle!) and offers video lessons, automated grading, and step-by-step solutions that the kids can access on their own.

The biggest perk of Teaching Textbooks is how easy it is for my 7th grader to use independently. The lessons are engaging, and she can go at her own pace without me hovering over every problem (which, let’s be real, can sometimes make the frustration worse).

I’ll be honest—I’m still planning to reevaluate at the end of the year to make sure it’s enough for her in terms of depth and mastery, especially compared to the rigorous Singapore Math program. But for now, it’s helping us regain some of that lost confidence and calm the storm.

A Quick Look at the Curriculums:

• Primary Mathematics (Singapore Math): Great for building a solid math foundation. It focuses on problem-solving and critical thinking, with a three-step learning process that helps children understand the 'why' behind math concepts. It's more traditional but very strong.

• Dimensions Math: The next step up from Primary Mathematics, perfect for older elementary to middle school students. It offers more in-depth exploration of advanced topics and continues the Singapore Math approach. Great for kids who thrive with structured, rigorous math programs.

• Living Lessons for a Math Education by MasterBooks: A more relaxed, real-life application math curriculum with short, gentle lessons. It’s less drill-heavy, which might mean you'll need to supplement for fact fluency, but it's perfect if you're looking for a softer approach, especially if you love the Charlotte Mason style.

• Teaching Textbooks: An interactive, independent-learning math program with video lessons and automated grading. It’s great for middle schoolers who need a more relaxed pace or who’ve hit a wall with traditional math programs. I love the step-by-step explanations, but I’ll be reassessing the depth at the end of the year.

  
  

Final Thoughts

There are many other math curriculums out there, but these are the ones I have personally used with my girls. Every child is different, so it’s important to find a curriculum that matches their learning style and pace. If you’ve tried any of these or have experience with other programs, I’d love to hear your thoughts! What’s worked for your family?