English
IEW – Institute for Excellence in Writing
IEW offers a comprehensive writing program teaching Structure & Style for Students (SSS) in three levels (A = Grade 3-5 / B = Grade 6-8 / C = Grade 9-12). You can either opt for student video courses, theme based writing lessons with a topic of your choice or learn the concept of Teaching Writing with Structure and Style (TWSS) through the video course for teachers, which then allows you to integrate your own resources and topics into your students writing lessons. IEW also offers a Primary Arts of Language (PAL) program for younger students, which introduces many of the concept taught in the upper grades. However, there are no video lessons for that level.
A series of grammar books (Fix it! Grammar 1-6) , which reinforces lessons learnt in writing, is available separately or as part of a package. The grammar books include daily lessons in parts of speech, punctuation, sentence structure, etc. all woven into a story told over the whole year. Students then copy the daily passage into a notebook, which helps them to also practice their handwriting and spelling skills.
Sequential Spelling
Sequential Spelling is a series of 7 books teaching spelling through a multi-sensory approach. Daily, repetitive practice (not the same words but similar patterns) help students recognize patterns of spelling based on rules without the complicated explanations. Level 1 is aimed at 6-7 year olds, level 7 is for ages 12-13. However, they can be used at any age, including high schoolers, who struggle with spelling. There are placement tests available to help you work out what level to start with.
Instead of working through the books (which requires the help of a teacher) students can use the online version, which speaks the words as well as a sentence providing context.
Math
Math Mammoth
Math Mammoth is a full math curriculum for Grade 1-7. We’ve been using it for a few years now. I love how it explains topics in detail, gives plenty of opportunity for practice and review and integrates a large amount of word problems into each chapter. It is an American program, however you can purchase the international version so you get metric system for measurement related topics and your choice of currency for money problems. Its level is quite high in my opinion. Grade 6 Math Mammoth seems to be equivalent to about Grade 7 in Australia. If you’re after a detailed review of the program head over to Cathy Duffy.
MathsOnline
MathsOnline is a video course based on the Australian Curriculum. Video tutorials are followed by interactive questions and optional printable worksheets (upper grades only). Questions are marked with an automated marking system and parents have access to a detailed progress report. Super easy for the parent and great for kids who can focus on video lessons. I personally think the level and depth of teaching could be better, that’s why I chose Math Mammoth as our main program and MathsOnline as an option for extension or a backup when I can’t keep up with teaching and marking. If your children are registered home schoolers you can get a 50% discount here.
Everyday Math
Education NSW offers ideas to teach math in everyday life situations. Topics range from area, algebra and mass to fractions, time and statistics.
