Mastering Essential Math Skills (for Grades 4-5)

I am a homeschooling mom (two children), and this is the best math workbook I have ever come across. It has teaching points for the parent or teacher that are actually effective. Each page offers simple, easy-to-understand instructions that cover a surprising breadth of material for a single workbook. Each subsequent page offers review exercises for the preceding lesson as well as ample practice exercises for the lesson of the day on that page. The answer key is accurate. I have found no typographical errors thus far, and we are a little more than halfway through the book. It is a concise, well-designed volume with no graphics that waste space or paper. My fourth-grade daughter is advancing rapidly through the book. The sections are as follows: Whole Numbers, Fractions, Decimals, Ratio/Proportions/Percents, Geometry, Number Theory and Algebra, Integers, Charts and Graphs, Probability and Statistics, and Word Problems (her weak point, so this section is much appreciated). HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.UPDATE UPON COMPLETING THE BOOKAfter finishing this workbook, my daughter requested more text-based, written workbooks for her curriculum instead of the online-based practice programs she had been using like IXL.com. This is a major accomplishment for her because she typically loathes school work, preferring to spend her time reading and drawing (which are encouraged pursuits but not to the exclusion of school-based learning). My daughter ENJOYED this workbook, FINISHED this workbook, and ADVANCED TWO GRADES of math concepts by completing this workbook. I cannot say enough good things about it. This book will enable you to teach easily and well the most important math skills for middle school readiness, and it is in a format that is easy to grasp for your child. I really loved using this for my daughter and recommend it to everyone looking for a comprehensive, straightforward, and effective math text with ample review pages to ensure that the learning sticks.The only thing that it doesn't provide is hundreds of practice problems for each skill. Hours of practice and drills are the only way to make math truly accessible and second-nature for someone's lifetime, in my opinion, and you can obtain sheets and sheets of practice problems on excellent math websites as well as other workbooks.

There are enough good reviews on here I don’t feel the need to tell our entire story. I’ll just say that this book took my daughter (who was average to behind in 4th grade math last year) to well above average on her math standardized testing this year. She even got to the point where she would do the lessons without me because it was so easy to understand and do. (She has never done that before!) We are so pleased I bought another copy for her sister to do next year and the next level up for her come Fall. You really can’t find a better value for a homeschool math curriculum. We did not need to buy any other workbooks or products for the entire year!

👍🏻

My 11 year old child has been working through this book for homeschool math and it is very good. Every page is an independent unit, with review, explanation of new material, and new problems to solve. The explanations are concise and always understandable. This book could be used as a reference if you've forgotten how to do certain kinds of problems (for schoolkids).My only criticism is that is does not have an answer key, although the back cover claims that it does. I guess they mean you can buy a SEPARATE answer key? So to check the work you have to work through each problem yourself.Also it's only black and white and has no pictures, but I'm sure that helps keep the costs (& size) down.I strongly recommend this book.

I should have gone by the mentions that the reviews for this book are compensated by offers of a gift. The book I received has no answer key at all, and no video lessons as mentioned. Quite disappointed as the speed drills don’t have any explanation of how to use that feature at all. The edition I received was published in 2001 and should not be sold as a current edition. It is misrepresentation and overcharging for an outdated version.

The workbook is just what I was looking for, but the product description said that it came with a Teacher's guide that has answers. My book did not come with any guide or answer key, so now I have a math book with no answer key. UGH!

I used the Kindle version for my 6th grade daughter, it works fine on my Kindle Fire and the Kindle PC app. We currently homeschool because she was falling behind in public school and as we all know, once you fall behind, you stay behind.When I pulled her out, she was doing math at a 3-4th grade level. After completing this book, she was at a 6th grade level! The only math she did was this book and math facts practice.We received the school district's grade/score and the middle school's math efficiency is an F at 54%, which means that a majority of the students are behind in math. So compared to our area's children, my daughter is actually ahead!The videos are easy to understand, the lessons are neat, uncluttered and not at all intimidating. We'll be moving onto book 2 for our next school year.

While the book itself is great, there is no answer key/teacher's guide, though it specifically states, "The price includes the book & Teacher's guide as a set." Very disappointed and cannot seem to get in touch with anyone who can help me resolve this!!!!!!!