BJU Press Math
Grades: K-12
BJU Press Math for Homeschool
"Every subject is taught from a thoroughly biblical viewpoint, naturally and logically. BJUP materials help students not only to read, multiply fractions, and recognize grammar principles but also to understand and evaluate what they read, solve problems, and write with conviction and clarity. The teacher is more important than the textbook. BJUP texts offer multiple approaches and activities in every lesson, allowing each teacher to address unique needs. Customize without losing continuity. A student who loves to learn will be a student his whole life. Why just read about science when you can do science? Why just memorize dates when history can be experienced? School can be an adventure!
Math 1 Student Worktext The full-color Student Worktext presents activities around a theme involving Digit the Clown and Cecilia, a seal. Student will do problems for practice, solve word problems to develop problem-solving skills, and maintain skills with review activities.
Math 3 Student Worktext The full color worktext provides activities with Hal, a photographer, and Horatio, a squirrel, as part of a national park theme. Students will do problems for practice, solve word problems to develop problem-solving skills, and maintain skills with review problems.
Fundamentals of Math Student Text Presents concepts in numerous examples worked out with clear step-by-step explanations. Includes systematic, cumulative review.
Algebra 1 Student Text Includes scriptural principles woven throughout but also an "Algebra and Scripture" spread in each chapter. Concepts are presented with examples and explanations. Other features include "Algebra Around Us" and sections on "Probability and Statistics." Homework sections are on three levels. Cumulative Review questions are located at the end of every section."
>Math 1-3 student worktext $22.22, complete kit $137; Math 4 student worktext $22.22, complete kit $136; Math 5 student worktext $22.22, home school kit $118.
Home school kit prices for: Fundamentals of Math $187.00, Pre-algebra $172.00, Algebra $172.00, Geometry $170.00 . Algebra 2 $140.50, Precalculus $140.50.
Reviews of BJU Press math curriculum
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Time 10 years Your situation: Homeschooling Alg 1, Pre-Alg, 5th grade Why you liked/didn't like the book: I've used BJU since the start and have always found it to be a good, solid program. In the younger years I skipped the "stories" and focused only on the math concepts because of the amount of prep time. I also skip much of the presentation and teach the lesson my own way due to time constraints. I think it has been a solid program and with anything I've had to modify it to fit. As in anything, I have found a few mistakes in the answer keys in every book. In Algebra 1 however, I had a very difficult time teaching the lessons. I didn't think there was enough explanation and since I didn't remember enough of my HS math it was difficult for me to explain to my son the concepts. Also, he often wanted to know the "why" and I couldn't tell him. It wasn't covered in the text. I am considering a different program for Geom. and will have to choose something else for Algebra 2. It is about in the middle in regard to difficulty level. Any other helpful hints: I modified it to fit our needs. You need to add in more drill work. My kids are behind in that aspect. It is a great, colorful, friendly approach. Shelly Goff Review left June 17, 2010 |
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Grade level: Bob Jones DVD Time 2 years Your situation: Homeschooling for the last six years. Bob Jones DVD's helps me out a lot, especially when things goes a bit hectic and I do not have the time to explain each lesson. I do keep an eye on each lesson and will give some added practice if necessary. We also make use of Singapore math and try to incorporate BJones into our classical approach to homeschooling. Why you liked/didn't like the book: We just love the Science and Language Arts programme. The Science and English lessons Grade 6 is especially of a high quality. My son marvels about his grade 6 Science and repeats the lesson in detail afterwards. We did find the Grade 4 Math tedious with lots of confusion. At some point we skipped Maths and did Singapore Math instead. The Language Arts programmes are of outstanding quality and one will have to look far and wide to get a better lesson every day which contain a load of energy, field trips and a various appropriate activities to explain concepts. Any other helpful hints: Stay on top of what each lesson offers, some extra conversation afterwards helps to bring proper clarity. Marika du Preez Review left November 5, 2009 |
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Time 5 years Your situation: We just finished our 7th year of homeschooling. I had 4 students this past year, in grades K5-5th. One of the main reasons I like BJU's math is because it is very "why"-based. It doesn't focus on the rules or rote memorization until after the child has been taught the WHY behind the rules. The main goal is for the student to understand what is going on "behind the scenes" rather than just accepting the rules and memorizing facts. He learns WHY 2+ 2 = 4. He learns WHY you have to rename in the ones column when the problem is 25 + 37. Etc. It utilizes a lot of manipulatives, which is great for kids who have to see and touch things in order to learn them. They are easy to leave off if the child doesn't need them to grasp the concept. There is built-in review in nearly every lesson. At the beginning of the lesson there is a review time, and on the worktext pages there are sometimes some review problems. There is also an optional review worktext. The teacher's guide is easy to understand. It is scripted, which can be a big help to a new homeschool teacher. The ONLY thing I do not like about BJU's math is that it is very teacher-intensive (at least in the grades I used it for...I'm not sure about 6th and up). It doesn't have the teacher just show the child how to do something, it involves lots of examples, manipulatives, explanations, etc. The worktext doesn't explain things directly to the student very much - the main teaching must come from the teacher. So for someone who is homeschooling several different children, this can be a problem. Any other helpful hints: The curriculum calls for Unifix cubes, but Lego bricks work just as well. We have TONS of Lego bricks in our home, so I was able to save money by using them instead. Kirstin Reeder Review left August 14, 2008 |
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Grade level: Algebra 1 Time 1 year I'm homeschooling my 13 year old daughter. I LOVED this text. Each concept was broken down into smaller parts that even I could teach. (It's been 25 years since I got my "C" in Algebra!) I was very worried about homeschooling upper math, but this was a breeze. Each new skill was EASY to understand through the examples, as the examples listed each step and clearly identified the step and explained it again within the example. Every chapter has 7 to 10 sections, and each section has a Cummulative Review that provides an opportunity for past skills to be revisited. Odd numbered homework answers are in the back. That made it nice to give odd homework for concepts taught that day, and the next day to give evens for the day before's concept and odd, again, for that day's. I LOVE how this text adds an "Algebra and Science," or "Algebra Through History," or "Algebra and Applied Skills," etc. in each chapter. They teach how someone in history used algebra in their lives for something important, or how algebra applies today. I believe as a result of these add-ins, my teen has never asked the age-old question, "What in the world will I ever USE this stuff for!" It tells you right there in black and white! And of course, the Algebra and Scripture add-in at the end of each chapter is absolutely wonderful. It uses scripture and Bible study to demonstrate a God-view of math, numbers, algebraic concepts, and asks the student to apply that view to their lives. It's really great. My favorite? The algebraic concept: using the substitution method to solve systems of inequalities used II Corinthians 5:21 to demonstrate God's principle of substitution. Then went on to say, "Let's be sure to apply the principle of substitution in our Christian lives. Replace bad habits with good ones. Put off the old man... put on the new." And the Probabilities and Statistics add-in in each chapter is awesome! I never took Probs&Stats, and learned things in Algebra 1 that I never got out of any of the higher math I took up to Calculus. Any other helpful hints: I started out teaching a section in a day, giving odd homework, and the next day teaching a new section, giving the yesterday even and the today's odd. That didn't work out best for us. Since the problems get harder as they go along, instead, I taught 3 or 4 sections in one day... gave 1-15ish odds for each section, and the next day, class would be a review of all the homework, and 2-16ish evens, then 17ish- 25ish odds for each, etc for a few days. That allowed her to integrate the information more completely, for me to check her understanding as she went, for her to fine-tune, and for me to have class time to spend on the add-ins. I thought about not getting the teacher's addition, and boy oh boy am I glad I DID get it! I didn't use any of the lesson openers, but I did use the "Common Student Error" information all the day, as well as the Additional Problems. It also offers Assignment suggestions, Objectives, and the main points in a Vocabulary list. Also, in each section of the teachers text, it has a "Reading and Writing Mathematics" which suggests a writing assigment... ie: "Read the Algebra Around Us section in this chapter. Do some internet research about quality control, especially noting any information of a mathematical nature. Write a paragraph about your findings." Aun Review left June 30, 2008 |
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Time: 2007-2008 school year I have three children and chose BJU satellite this year. I thought having all their classes on DVD would really free me up to do the renovations on our house. NOT. However, BJU does a beautiful job with the classes and I love the Christian perspective on everything. Why you liked/didn't like the book: I think the method of teaching on a topic for a week or so and then dropping it to go on to something completely different is frustrating. My 5th grader went over comparing fractions earlier in the year and 3 months later can't remember how to do it. BJU math classes are very good at explaining how and why. Any other helpful hints: I've been told the BJU math teaches children for higher level math. If you have the time to make daily worksheets to give, in addition to daily class, that would give your child a sample problem from all the other topics covered I'd say this would be a great program. Melissa Review left April 14, 2008 |
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Time 5 months Your situation: Been homeschooling for only 5 months. Why you liked/didn't like the book: Don't like that it is really designed for a classroom, not a single student. Several of the great ideas for teaching new concepts are for multiple students. Also there is a lot of prep work. It is not inexpensive either. It would be great for multiple students. Cheryl |
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Time 6 yrs Your situation: Using Bob Jones satellite because of multiple children and I did not have time to teach each one every subject. But I am afraid of changing curriculums and getting all messed up. I needed the videos for high school. My 3 graduated students did Saxon but in h.s. had tutoring for algebra and up. Any suggestions? I was thinking of rod and staff for the yonger kids. Then what for the upper grades? Why you liked/didn't like the book: I get bogged down with the estimating that is done all the time and they do not focus on mastering anything. They also in the upper grades do estimating and then front end estimating and my daughter has been doing this from 3rd to 8th gr and still can't remember how to do it. Susan Jude |
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Grade levels used: BJU Math 1 & 2 Time 1 1/2 years I have been using BJU Math for 1st and 2nd grade with my daughter. Overall, I would have to say this curriculum is great. I am finding that my daughter is having trouble currently with doing her math, but I don't believe its a BJU issue. I think with the holidays she just doesn't want to do school. Why you liked/didn't like the book: I like the curriculum because of these reasons: 1) it's colorful and keeps my daughters attention 2) it goes through math step by step to make sure the child understands the concept 3) If your child has trouble catching on, you can always supplement with other workbooks from BJU (such as Spread your Wings) which will help reinforce these concept some more 4) The curriculum makes good use of manipulatives but you don't have to purchase a ton of them to use this curriculum. Every day items also work (like beans or candy for instance) What I don't like about the curriculum: 1) It's expensive 2) Sometimes it takes a long time to organize the lesson for the day and a long time to teach it (this isn't every lesson, but probably about 20% of the lessons take me awhile to organize and then about 1 hour to teach. I think that is too long) 3) The tests are not colored which is a pain when you are trying to test your child on things like money. It is very hard to actually see what coins they are trying to ask about. 4) The teacher and student materials often times take a long time to prepare. Cutting out 20 circles and coloring them takes alot of time. The bottom line is that BJU Math is an overall good curriculum. I just wish you didn't have to spend so much time trying to teach basic concepts or atleast I wish that more of the stuff that is included with the curriculum was more prepared. Other than that, using this curriculum has improved my daughters math skills and its right on target with her course of study for the year. Any other helpful hints: I purchase this curriculum from yahoo groups that are dedicated to selling BJU curriculum. You can get on a HOMESAT group list which only sells current editions and pay alot less for the curriculum which is slightly used or in almost new condition. EBay no longer sells teacher editions. I have purchased all my 2nd grade materials through the loop and everyone I dealt with was honest and sent the stuff in a decent amount of time. Otherwise you will pay top dollar if you order through BJU or other resellers. Michelle |
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Grade levels used: Algebra 1 Time 6 months Your situation: We'd been struggling for a year with Saxon's Algebra 1 and wanted to try something new. Saxon seemed to introduce things in complex ways. Why you liked/didn't like the book: Bob Jones was a welcome new start for us. The kids were vaguely familiar with the concepts, but hadn't mastered them. They are practicing one thing at a time (building on known concepts) and gaining confidence as they move through the book. We spent so much time struggling, it's refreshing to have a book that presents things clearly, rather than jumbling new concepts in the middle of complex problems. Any other helpful hints: I'd have math all five days of the week; the family I'm teaching for has school four days, but we could get a lot more done with the extra day. The three day weekend just seems to set them back and half of class on Monday ends up being review. Jessica Hobbs |
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Grade levels used: 7 Edition: Fundamentals of Math Time 5 months Bob Jones has a strong multi-sensory approach in the early grades which is great. The teaching is also sound and gives glory to God. In the later grade, I am finding the pace is behind a public school student I am tutoring. My dilemma is whether to use this book at a faster pace or choose a different curriculum. Many plusses other than the pace of the program. |
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