Resource Description
Teaching Textbooks™ is a math curriculum based on 3 easy steps: watch the lesson, do the problems, and watch a tutor explain the ones you missed. Teaching Textbooks™ were designed specifically for independent learners (they focus on teaching/explanations). From the website:
A Teaching Textbook™, with its approximately 700 pages of text and 120 - 160 hours of teacher instruction on CD-ROM, is both a teacher and a textbook combined into one. And the CD-ROM teaching isn’t just abstract lectures either. There are also down-to-earth, audiovisual step-by-step explanations for every single one of the almost 3,500 problems in the book ... [The Teaching Textbook™] introduces proper terminology only after first presenting the underlying concept in plain language.
Website: Teaching Textbooks™ (may contain affiliate links)
(46 Reviews)
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Contributor Reviews
Reviews are solely the opinions of the contributor.
Cons: it's a bit pricey, but worth it
Grades Used: 3rd and 4th
This is our second year using Teaching Textboks and we love it. The kids can do their math lessons on their own with me nearby to answer questions if needed. I've seen a great improvement in the confidence of my children and their math skills. I think that is because the lessons are fun and interactive and they feel very accomplished having done it on their own for the most part.
Teaching textbooks is by far my favorite math resource so far! Math used to bring tears for me and my daughter, but no longer- thanks to teaching textbooks. I t was on the pricey side for us but now that I have used it with , I think it is very well worth it. My daughter even said she would recommend it to anyone who loves math or hates math, its just a great resource for all kinds of learners ( visual or auditory).
Grades Used: Pre-Alg, Alg I-II, Geometry
With a Computer Science degree/Math Minor, I understand how the basic foundations of math concepts need to be explained and understood. The DVD interaction takes away the painstaking task of "reading" a book (unless you or your child thrives on that).
I have tutored TT Math to a student who was two grades below his level, brought him up to a current level in 6 months using TT because he was not taught constant and consistent math concepts in the elementary years.
TT is also a HIGH resale for homeschoolers. Well worth the price and investment!
Grades Used: 3, 6, 7, pre-algebra
I really enjoy using this program. It has a lecture and it grades for you. What more can you ask for? My boys do complain about the mans voice though! LOL Overall I will keep buying this program!
Cons: a bit high priced but you can resell when you're done
Grades Used: 4 & 5
I love Teaching Textbooks - last year when we were using another popular math curriculum my dd was struggling. We ran across TT at a fair and she played around with it on the computer they had there and liked it. I decided it was time to give it a try...we've been hooked every since. She went from HATING math to now wanting to be a math teacher...AMAZING!!!
Cons: pricey, but well worth it
Grades Used: 7th, pre-algebra, algebra 1, geometry,
Teaching Textbooks has revolutionalized the subject of math in our homeschool. Math is still not a favorite subject, but it not nearly so painful. I appreciate that ALL solutions for practice problems, lesson problems, and tests are provided. The student can either listen/watch the lesson on the DVD, or simply read the lesson in the textbook (reading works better in our house!) The textbook is extremely user friendly--font is easy on the eye, key points are highlighted. The dreaded word problems are written humorously, making them slightly less painful. This is a fabulous math program, especially for those whose strength is NOT math.
Cons: not as many lessons as other curricula; new curricula never on sale
Grades Used: Algebra 1, Geometry
My son used TT for Algebra 1 and Geometry. He really liked it. The instructions for Geometric proofs, though, were lacking as he really struggled with it and needed his engineer-father's help. He enjoyed the humor in the lessons.
The upper levels have several different CD-roms that have to be put in and out of the computer. It's a pain to do that all the time. I guess the lower levels have just one student and maybe one parent, CD at a time.
My son used the texts as "workbooks" by writing all work he could fit in them. The rest he did on paper. So I couldn't resell those, but the other items have a high resell value on used homeschool curricula sites.
I decided to change to Thinkwell when my son took Algebra 2. TT had a lot of topics missing, most noteably matrices. Also, TT's Algebra 2 only had about 125 lessons, whereas Thinkwell's had 265.
Teaching Textbooks is great for an audio-visual learner and great for parents who do not know, or do not want to re-learn, higher math levels.
Cons: Pricey but worth every penny
Grades Used: 4th, 6th, 7th
Our family loves Teaching Textbooks Math! We pulled our children from public school in grades 6 & 3 midyear. Both were struggling in math quite alot. Math is also my weakest subject so it was very important for me to have a really strong curriculum for our children. This program is very comprehensive, covering every topic thoroughly and FUN! My son loves the interactiveness. Both of my kids actually look forward to doing math every day and their grades have improved tremendously. This computer-based software gives you the ability to view the lectures as often as necessary. The graphics are fun and allowing the kids to choose their favorite icon is a nice touch. With built-in hints and the ability in the newer versions for the parent to go in and override wrong answers gives the child a chance to redo problems in order to really "get" the concepts. There is also a workbook for children who like to work independent of the computer at times or to get extra work time to help them retain what they are learning. The software is a bit expensive but it's such an excellent product I am happy to cut corners in other areas so that we can continue to use it. Go to their website for a free demo of their products and a handy pre-test to help you decide what grade level your child should be in.
Cons: Doesn't teach like I learned
Grades Used: 8
My 14 year old has been learning Algebra this year with Teaching Textbooks. It has been very helpful. Math is easy for me, so sometimes I find it hard to teach because I don't understand why he doesn't get it. This program breaks it down very simply. In fact he was able to skip the lessons for Chapter 7 because it was showing shortcuts for earlier lessons. So he listened to the lessons and then took the Chapter test and didn't miss any. I would say that's a sign that this program is successful.
Grades Used: 7th and 8th
My daughter is dyslexic and has found math so much easier with this aproach. she now enjoys doing her math and can repeat directions with a click of the mouse and it is show in a couple of differant ways so if she doesnt understand it one way she has the second directions helpful. step by step with a easy to under stand directons make math a breeze now not a fight.