A Stable Beginning: Mastering Essential Math Skills, Book Two ~ a TOS review

Friday, July 22, 2022

Mastering Essential Math Skills, Book Two ~ a TOS review

Disclaimer: I received a Complimentary copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family and I pray you, the reader, find them helpful on your homeschooling journey. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Regulations.

Morning friends! Whew, it’s been a week to say the least but I am so glad that it is Friday! We don’t have any big plans but to finish preparing for our fast approaching school year. However, today I am excited to bring you another great review of a homeschool math program called Mastering Essential Math Skills Book 2 from Math Essentials.

The Mastering Essential Math Skills book 2 is written by veteran 6th grade math teacher Richard W. Fisher, also known as “America’s Math Teacher” for his dedication of over 31 years of teaching math. He is also the winner of the Intel Innovations in Teaching Award as well as the Glenn W. Hoffmann Exemplary Awards Program.

We received the 158 page paperback workbook that is geared towards middle grades/High School. Each lesson in this program has a corresponding video lesson that’s available on the Math Essentials website. The eight key area topics covered in this homeschooling math program include :

~ Whole Numbers

~ Fractions

~ Decimals

~Percent’s

~Geometry

~Integers

~Charts & Graphs

~Word Problems

There is also a Final Review Section in the back along with the Answer Key, useful math charts, as well as a Glossary of math terms.

Each page is a complete lesson and it is laid out the same way throughout the book. First your student will complete the Speed Drill which tests their knowledge in quick math facts. You choose the number that your child needs to focus on.

A Review section, does just that by reviewing previously worked on concepts. I really like this spiral approach. In the middle of the page a Helpful Hints portion gives hints for the next concept that will be taught. The lesson includes ten problems to complete and includes an area to record answers on the right hand side. At the bottom of the page a Problem Solving question is given. It is essentially a word problem for the lesson to provide a different way to state the problem and to get they student thinking.

I used this book with McKenzie, my rising 7th grader. She has been able to use this book three days a week to keep fresh on her math work over our summer break. Once we start school back up in August, she will continue to use this book on the days that she has a double day at gym. I am confident that this workbook can stand in the place of her normal math program on the days she is at the gym all day.

I am excited for McKenzie to continue working through this book to solidfy the math skills in this book. They are essential to success in upper level math. Math Essentials is offering their online program math and algebra for free for 3 months. Check them out and use the code CREW2022 to sign up. And be sure to check out what my CrewMates think of this curriculum as well as the Mastering Essential Math Skills, Pre-Algebra Concepts that was also reviewed by clicking the banner below.