We have used Maserbooks and Abeka. Masterbooks was SOOOOOO wordy on things that we didn't feel like should need that many words. Our kids were so bored with Masterbooks because they were so tired of listening to so many stories during the day. We read during science, during history, during language arts, they practice reading for 20 minutes per day, I read to the kids at bedtime every night so with math they did NOT want to listen to a full page worth of a story just so they could get the work done. I had hoped Masterbooks would be good for us but it just wasn't. We got Masterbooks this year but have already given up on it and have ordered from Abeka again.
Yes! Sometimes we don't read the math story and the language story both on Monday. Because we do read a lot of other things and it can get wordy. Thank you for this comment because I think that could be really helpful for people to know:)
We also use Masterbooks and I really like it. I do supplement with a Scholastic Workbook (from Costco) when I feel that it's needed. Masterbooks does seem to be a gentle approach to learning (it's not overdone or lots of repetition), which is why I like it. It allows me to add extra work where I feel repetition is needed. I will say that we often skip the stories at the beginning (in Math) and have yet to notice an issue from doing so. That's the great thing about homeschool! : )
We are using MB level 4 along with Easy Peasy all in one homeschool offline workbook and teacher guide. It’s a great combo for us to have topics presented from different perspectives.
Hi! Thank you for this review. I’m transitioning from public school to homes long with my 7 yo daughter. I need a math program that’s fun but also that if something were to happen Sha she has to go back to school she wouldn’t be behind. These ones look great!
Oh yes! My sister is homeschooling this year because of Covid with intentions of putting them back in school next school year. She uses spectrum math. It's nothing fancy, but it is definitely lined up with common core! Just another idea for you:)
Oh, I'm so glad! I have another video that is more recent and gives even more information if you're interested! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-z62QGsgZ5-8.html
My daughter turned her nose up at Masterbooks. She just wanted to do math. She didn’t want to hear stories. Plus she already knew everything in most of the 3rd grade book and she’s 7... We’ve never tried Abeka though. She’s using Rightstart level D right now but Abeka looks great too.
Yes! Ok, I just put out a video explaining Abeka and Masterbooks more thoroughly. You might find it helpful! Abeka is very "matter of fact" and if your child just wants to do math, I think Abeka is a great option. It's also very advanced, so it sounds like it might be a better challenge for her. Thank you for responding to this! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-z62QGsgZ5-8.html
@@LoveThemWell Masterbooks stole my heart for us this year! My oldest turns four in Sept and youngest is 2. I am planning on supplementing w Jady A activities. I just love how the curriculum is enriched with so much more.
Here is my concern about masterbooks: I'm a guy, and I excelled at math as a child, but not so much in English. This is why having to read stories for math would probably overwhelm someone like me. Children have enough reading in other subjects, why add more reading? The male brain tends to be very pragmatic. This is why I did well in math. It was no no-nonsense. Just give me the problems to solve and show me the best way to solve them. I think many boys will likely find masterbooks tedious for this reason.
I completely understand! My younger son loved it, but I can see how he might not in an older grade. Do you have a curriculum you like best for math? I think math is the hardest subject to find good curriculum for. But maybe that's because I'm stronger in English. Thanks for this comment! I think it's really helpful!
@@LoveThemWell Hi, thank you for the reply. I am still just learning about homeschooling, so am still new to the various curriculum. However, for math, I've been finding that the more traditional programs draw me the most as a guy, like Abeka and Singapore, for example---straightforward, intuitive lessons, full color and inviting, and no-nonsense. But again, I've only just begun my research, so still have a lot to learn.
I couldn’t love the MB math but my eldest did well with it independently. However, now looking at beginning MB level 5, I’m going back a level and Doug to do Apologia level 4 because my kid needs multiplication practice, MB wasn’t to blame solely, but I think a hands-on curriculum will help my child…also trying times tales and they like it!! ABeka we started with and it’s a good beginning, but advanced. And I Hate their teachers manuals. I’m a visual person and I like thing concise and to make sense to me, ABeka is not that. I’m finding Apologia math to be a good between, if you will, while being it’s own thing-suggest you check it out! Apologia uses manipulatives, games and then transfers into the abstract ideas of math all within a developmentally appropriate level, but not below level or too slow by any means. Very cool, very easy, and very fun!!
Have you ever tried The Good and the Beautiful Math? I have heard such good things and have seen my friends' copies. It looks awesome. Is Apologia still working well? That is one I have not seen personally, but have heard of!
I went with masterbooks for this EXACT reason. My daughter shuts down when the work becomes too much and overwhelming for her. I hope it works you and your family.
I love that it’s very simple not a ton on one page like abeka(or BJU which we used in the past). This fall we are continuing with Teaching Textbooks for my daughter but using Masterbooks as a supplement. She loves stories and reading so I think she will love the concept and gentler approach
I would love an update on how this year went with MB and Abeka. We've used Abeka from the beginning (so k-4th grade). All 3 of my kids will be school age this fall and I'm overwhelmed with the idea of all the abeka teachers manuals, and charts, and cards, and creating hands on learning experiences because they are so worksheet based... So I've been looking into masterbooks. Abeka 4tg grade math is intense! It covers concepts that most don't cover until 5th-6th grade. My son has gotten a little bogged down, and so have I. I'm scared to leave abeka and it's intensity for something gentler because I equate "gentle" with "too easy". That's a mindset issue I need to change.
Yes! I am making this update video now. I completely understand the "gentle"/"too easy" idea. I am thinking there has to be a happy medium between Abeka and Masterbooks. Have you looked into the new Good and Beautiful math? It comes out soon but might be the answer there...I'm looking into that! Masterbooks has been great, but I do have to supplement...which I like doing, but there has to be an easier way.
@@LoveThemWell oh yay! You are making a new video! So, I'm one of the few people who just doesn't like TGTB. I love the idea of it, but it does not click for us. But... We are giving Teaching Textbooks a go right now for math, as we finish our Abeka for the year. I told my oldest we're "experimenting". Somehow the newness of TT has resparked his energy for Abeka. I will say TT 5th grade seems easy, way easier than Abeka 4th grade. I'm wondering if we can do Matherbooks and TT... I'm also thinking maybe we need a "relaxed" year 2021-2022 as this is my first year with all three being school age. I feel like I need simplicity, but that after getting a rhythm I can see myself going back to Abeka the following year. My middle kid finished kinder and decided to start 1st grade now instead of reviewing kinder until fall. She is loving Abeka 1st grade (which I had already bought)! We're 19 lessons in in 5 school days, she's eating it up 🤷 I feel like 4th grade Abeka is really where it got to be to much for us. So much diagraming for LA, so much repetive long division and multiplication in math. It just drags for my guy. Anyway, I'm super excited to see your update!!!
How does the scope & sequence compare between the Masterbooks and Abeka math? I'm looking at level 4 for next year and trying to decide which one to use. My 9yo loves math and is very skilled with it, always begging for more. She has a good grasp on multiplication & division. (We have used Math-U-See Gamma level this year). Just not sure if she's going to be up to speed enough to do Abeka 4, and I'm not sure the best way to really compare or see if we have any big gaps between what we're doing and where we want to go. We are LOVING Masterbooks for Language and Science! We will be doing almost all of our subjects with Masterbooks next year.
Hello! I'm not an expert, but I do believe that Masterbooks is one year behind for math and language arts. (I think the scope and sequence is similar as a whole. If one kid used Masterbooks and another used Abeka, they'd end 5th grade having been introduced to the same concepts. But Abeka might just be stronger on its own.) My daughter in 3rd grade needed a bit more help with math, so we are in the 3rd grade book and it's working out great. I think an advantage to Masterbooks is it's doable, so even if it's a lot of review concepts for your daughter, it won't be overwhelming and you can add games and their new practice workbook, too! But, Abeka is challenging on its own...so if she likes a lot of book work, maybe that's a good option. I know...it's hard to decide! Here's a look at the new practice books for Masterbooks! I hope it's helpful! Thanks for your comment! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-hOzXAbIpt7Y.html Also! I want to check out Masterbooks for their other subjects! I really like what I see!
Hi! I have a 3rd daughter who is very strong in Math. I love the activities and approach in Masterbooks but I feel like she does need something with a little challenge. In case she does ever go back to school, how do you think I could work in finding something to fit where she wouldn't feel lost with Common Core etc? I'm trying to decide between moving her towards a Masterbooks 4 or doing Masterbooks 3 with a supplement of the Abeka booklet with worksheets and quizzes when we need to?
Yes! I think that's a great idea! Masterbooks is fun, but supplementing with a workbook is probably necessary. Also, you can check the website for your state standards, print them off, and use it as a checklist. You might find that she's ahead in several areas, but it'll also show you where you might need to pull more resources. MathAntics on RU-vid is super helpful for support, and they have a $10 subscription for all their worksheets that are awesome! I hope this is helpful!
Can you please tell me the curriculum for Abeka math third grade? Because my daughter learned at school and they used the Abeka curriculum math but the way they do math in order is just from left to right, not following the order The order of operation normally I used PEMDAS Example: 3+5*2= 3+10=13 ( when my daughter did this way the teacher didn’t accept it) But the teacher will do 3+5*2=8*2=16
