For years, I have used Math-U-See to teach my children math with great success. However, with seven children, I was bound to have a few kids that needed something different. This year I switched two of my children over to BJU Press math to see if it would be a better fit for them. And it was!
Every curriculum has it’s pros and cons. What might be a benefit to one child can be a hinderance to another. I have found this to be true with BJU Press math. The reasons BJU Press math are working so well for two of my children are the same reasons it wouldn’t work for my other kids. Let me explain…
(This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here.)
BJU Press Math METHOD
BJU Press math teaches a variety of mathematical concepts each year. In the early grades, concepts like addition, subtraction and fractions are taught at a basic level. Each year, the same concepts are taught but with increased difficulty.
For example, 1st grade math introduces fractions but only covers halves, thirds and fourths. In 2nd grade, students learn to compare fractions with equal parts. In 3rd grade, students are introduced to mixed numbers and how to add and subtract fractions. By 5th grade, students are multiplying and dividing fractions.
Another distinction with BJU Press math is that the teaching of various topics jumps around. Addition and subtraction might be covered in chapter 1 then again in chapter 3 and then in chapters 5. These lessons are separated by instruction in other concepts like place value, multiplication, time or measurement. This could be a benefit or a drawback for a child depending on how they process math.
Benefits:
I’m finding that some of my children enjoy variety when it comes to math. They get bored doing the same concept over and over again and enjoy switching from one topic to another throughout the year.
If they are having a difficult time with a particular concept, like fractions, it is encouraging for them to know that in just a few weeks they will be moving on to something that they understand and enjoy more. It helps keep their frustration down and their motivation for math up.
This method also keeps concepts fresh in my student’s mind since they are covering the same concepts each year but at a more difficult level.
Drawback:
Some of my children find it difficult to move from one topic to another. They do better focusing on one concept for the entire year. Jumping from multiplication to addition then to fractions becomes a frustration for them.
BJU Press Math DISTINCTIONS
BJU Press math worksheets include problems from the new lesson plus review problems from previous concepts taught. This gives children the opportunity to practice the new lesson while retaining previously taught concepts.
Worktext pages for BJU Press math are colorful and full of engaging illustrations and pictures.
An effort is made in the BJU Press math curriculum to tie math into every day life. This is especially noticeable in the 3rd and 5th grade BJU Press math curriculum that I’ve used which contain “Career Links” that show how a new concept is used in various careers. I love that!
Finally, BJU Press math incorporates Biblical principles and truths into the lessons. Word problems are often related to Bible stories and verses are written in the margins of the worktext pages.
Benefits:
Having my children work on problems from the new lesson along with review problems is helping them retain more over the long run. And the colorful illustrations are bringing math to life for my 1st grader who gets easily bored with black and white pages.
The fact that BJU Press math ties every day life and Biblical truths into math is a plus for me! I love that my kids are learning how math is beneficial to their lives. It prevents all the, “Why do I have to learn this?” questions that I often get.
Drawbacks:
Some of my children need to focus on the new concept for a few days without the distraction of review. (Of course, you can always skip the review sections of the worksheets if your child is this way.)
While the colorful illustrations bring life to the math lesson for my 1st grader, they are a distraction for my 3rd grader. My 3rd grader is often drawing on the illustrations, daydreaming about exploring a location shown on the worktext page or asking me questions about illustrations. I love his imagination and curiosity but I’d prefer he tackle the math lesson distraction free.
Distance Learning Math Videos
A review of BJU Press math wouldn’t be complete without sharing a little bit about the video option. While many moms enjoy teaching the BJU Press math lessons themselves, others might prefer to have video instruction. I have found the Distance Learning program to be an excellent fit for my large family. While I love teaching my kids, I don’t always have the time or energy to give instruction in every subject to my older children while juggling little ones.
This is where BJU Press Distance Learning math has really helped! My 1st and 3rd grader are getting excellent instruction in math while I attend to my younger ones, help older kids with other subjects, do laundry, make meals and try to stay sane!
The videos are engaging and filled with wonderful instruction. The Distance Learning teachers provide lots of teaching on new concepts and plenty of review of older concepts. My 3rd grader, who had never learned about fractions or division, was able to catch on quickly because of the thorough instruction and examples given.
I share more about what I love about the entire BJU Press Distance Learning program in this video.
Final Thoughts
BJU Press math has been a great fit for two of my children. One of the benefits of homeschooling is being able to find curriculum that fits your unique child. I’m thankful for the excellent math curriculum BJU Press has created and so are my 1st and 3rd grader!
What math curriculum is your child loving right now?
* Disclosure: I purchased BJU Press Distance Learning math for 2nd and 5th grade with my own money. I was sent (for free) BJU Press Distance Learning 1st and 3rd grade math to review. My opinions and review of curriculum is not influenced by whether I purchased it myself or received it for free. Read my full disclosure here.
Hello I am new to new to your channel and site and I would like to first say thank you for all your hard work!!! When it comes to videos for math have you ever heard of Math Antics on YouTube? We use MathUSee as well but his videos are boring. I used Math Antics for regrouping and it was great! Still short but interesting. He uses video technology to do problems and work out different scenarios. Anyways I thought this might help your son.
God Bless you and thx again!
Thank you! I’ve never heard of it but I’ll look into it.
If you were to transition your child from Math-U-See to BJU (in 4th grade) how would you insure that they are not deficient in concepts that have not been introduced yet? Also does this curriculum continue into higher math?
How do you know what grade level to move to in bju math from math u see. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
What level of MUS will you be switching from? Moving into the upper levels (pre-algebra and up) is pretty easy. Switching from MUS to BJU in the elementary years can be a little tricky since MUS teaches just one concept (multiplication, fractions, etc) per year and BJU teaches each concept every year but at different levels of difficulty. When we switched, my son was struggling with multiplication in MUS-Gamma. He was in 3rd grade and I just moved him into BJU 3. It was a fairly easy transition since division was the only thing BJU had covered that he hadn’t learned and BJU did a lot of review so he picked it up quickly. Because BJU does so much review, you might be able to move right into grade level. There will be sections that your student has already learned and you can move through quickly. Then, there will be sections that need a little more time because you need to reinforce the new concept to them. I would not go more than a grade level lower unless your child was already struggling with math and “behind” grade level.
My son is finishing up BJU 1st grade math. While it’s been good overall, I feel as though he didn’t fully grasp all the concepts. I’m trying to determine if moving on to 2nd grade would be wise or if I should do something different (like buying BJU 1st grade Reviews and using that next year before moving to second grade). Any suggestions?
The great thing about BJU Press math is that it does a lot of review of previous years material in the beginning of the year. I’d suggest moving on to BJU 2nd grade math. If he is struggling with 2nd grade math then slow down and take extra time to work on one lesson. Another thing to consider is BJU’s Vacation Station books. They are meant for students to use to review the previous years work over the summer so that they don’t forget what they learned before the new school year. They include more than math review but still worth considering. Here is a link: https://www.bjupresshomeschooling.com/site/include.php?id=17&url=330
I’m wrestling between BJU math and CLE math for my 2nd and 4th graders. This will be our first year homeschooling. I already chose BJU distance learning Math for my 1st grader. I would not be doing the distance learning for my 2nd and 4th graders. If it makes a difference, my 2nd grader could probably be doing 3rd grade work. Thanks for your input!