Mastery-Based Homeschool Math Curriculum Packages

There are two primary approaches taken to teaching mathematics. The first is called the "Mastery" method. The Mastery approach is named because students are taught one topic at a time until they have mastered the concept being studied. A student does not move on to the next concept until they can demonstrate mastery of the first. This is how most adults learned math when they were growing up, and is a relatively straight forward (and effective) means of teaching mathematics.

Mastery learning is based on the idea that students muyst master a topic before they can proceed on. Progress is based solely on the understanding of the subject material. If your child can pick up the concept of carrying when adding two numbers in one sitting, you allow them to demonstrate their mastery of the amterial and move on. Similarly, if a child requires more than one chance to demonstrate proficiency, you provide that. If your child fails to demonstrate that he can borrow in subtraction (for example), you would repeat the instruction (preferably by approaching it in a fresh way) and re-evaluate. You do not move on until the child can show that he/she understands the concept.

Proponents claim many advantages to the Mastery approach. Among these are:

  • The student earns a sense of accomplishment that arises from mastering a topic.

  • The ease of determining the progress a student is making.

  • Advanced students are able to progress rapidly at their own pace.

  • All students can be expected to have a certain precise amount of knowledge of the material.

Detractors claim that using the Mastery approach has the following disadvantages:

  • Teaching students material they are not ready for can make learning much more difficult and much less enjoyable.

  • Slower students can be left behind.

For further information on Mastery-base math curriculum please click on Further Information (Mastery).

<< Introduction      Spiral Math>>