How to Choose Your Math Curriculum

By Ingrid Moats of Tampa Bay Test Prep

What is a math curriculum, and why does it even matter which one you choose?

Your math curriculum gives structure to how your child learns math. It consists of an ordered selection of problems and activities, and this order can help your child learn different levels of mathematical understanding from.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Curriculum

Start by picking a couple of programs to look at more closely. You can often find samples online to review.

Keep it simple—and trust your instincts.

Here are a few things to look for:

Style and layout

Different programs have different designs, visuals, and formats. If the style appeals to you and your child, that’s a good sign!

Level of rigor

There are several ways to think about this. How challenging do you want it to be? Is your child learning and enjoying the material? Are they being stretched in a healthy way? Every child is different—find the balance that works for your family.

Spiral or Mastery

A spiral curriculum repeats topics more frequently, so students constantly review the lessons. A mastery curriculum focuses on topics in depth and may include review sections less regularly. While some parents enjoy the frequent review of a spiral curriculum, it is also easy to add review to a mastery curriculum by picking past problems to do weekly or monthly.

Standards-based alignment

Many programs list which standards they align with. If you need to meet state requirements, this can be helpful. You can also download and check your state’s standards against your curriculum. If a few topics are missing, it’s easy to supplement.

Workbooks or digital

Printed workbooks are easy to carry and write in. Some curricula also have digital versions that can be loaded onto a tablet or device. Other programs are entirely online and include instruction and practice problems. The downside of these digital programs is that students may think of their work on paper as scratch work, so encourage students to write out their work neatly and clearly.

Videos

Video instruction lets your child learn directly from a teacher.

Teacher’s guide

A homeschool or teacher’s guide often gives you helpful tips for specific ways of teaching the material yourself.

Quizzes and exam papers

Some curricula include built-in quizzes or tests. These can be helpful ways to check your child’s understanding and determine what needs to be reviewed.

Learning math is a journey, so enjoy the process! The goal is to find something that fits your child's needs. As your child’s needs change, your curriculum might too. Picking more than one over the years is completely normal!

When Things Don’t Go Perfectly

It’s normal to find that specific topics are more complex or parts of a curriculum don’t fully click. That doesn’t mean it’s the wrong choice; you may need to make minor changes to fit your family.

It may mean that you need extra support from additional materials, cut the number of problems, add projects, or reduce the number of games and activities. But this is also where you can get some advice from other parents.

If you or your child feels overwhelmed by parts of a curriculum but loves the overall program, look for additional support, like a curriculum group. There, you can connect with other parents and ask questions as they arise.

Consider a video subscription or a live class if teaching the material feels too overwhelming. That way, an experienced teacher handles the instruction, and you can focus on helping your child practice and stay encouraged.

Some programs offer live online instruction, which is an excellent option if you want an experienced teacher to introduce the material.

If your curriculum lacks games, extra challenge problems, or support in a specific area, you can supplement by adding a second curriculum or looking for targeted resources on sites like Teachers Pay Teachers.

What Makes a Curriculum a Good Fit?

Ideally, your math curriculum will:

• Teach your child how to think about math in a logical, systematic way
• Help them build strong skills and a deep understanding
• It will be enjoyable to use (for both of you!).
• Offer resources that help you succeed, too

And One Last Thing...

If your curriculum is frustrating, don’t be afraid to switch! There are so many great options out there. The right one is out there, and you’ll find it.