Let Students Take Control of Their Learning with CTCMath {A CTCMath / Homeschool Review Crew Review}

 I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

Have you ever cheered over a math program?

I have! 

In fact, I cheered when I found out that we'd been selected to review another 12 month family membership from CTCMath.

What Is CTCMath?

CTCMath is an online math curriculum for grades K-12 that allows students to self-pace through math while giving parents quick access to checking up on how students are doing.

Some excellent features of CTCMath are:

• adaptive questions that change in difficulty depending on a student's ability which help students build confidence and master 
• concepts
• a function that allows questions to be readout so that struggling readers are not held back in math
• interactive questions based explicitly on clear, concise video tutorials
• extensive reports for parents and progress notations students can see, too

One thing missing from CTCMath - at least in our experience - is stress. Neither I as a parent not my children as self-paced learners find CTCMath stressful and that is huge!

What Has Our experience with CTCMath Been?

Since we first reviewed CTCMath in 2019, it has become a staple in our home.  We so appreciate how it provides a full K-12 curriculum, including Calculus that offers teaching videos, practice questions, games, tests, tasks, weekly revisions sets, and more which make it a flexible, easy, self-paced program for my children to access and use.

My youngest, now 11, has moved through several years of math using CTCMath and has also practiced his facts using the Speed Skills portion of the program. Currently, he is on a break from screens, and, thus, from online math, but he looks forward to using CTCMath again and says:

I like CTCMath. I was using it until last week and want to continue using it. I enjoy it, and it is easy to use.

I love that my youngest favors CTCMath, can use it independently and can pause, then pick up with his math work with it easily. Self-paced and flexible, with clear teaching, CTCMath is a win for him. 

My middle child, now 15, prefers book-based math programs, but, we occasionally, use her CTCMath login to learn or practice particular skills. The fact that CTCMath has pre-recorded Video Tutorials that explain and teach each and every concept for grades K-12 and allow students access any time on any device worldwide makes it prime for such supplementary use even if it is meant to be used as a one-stop, full math curriculum.

The program also works as intended, of course! In fact, my eldest child, now 16, uses CTCMath as his sole math program and thoroughly appreciates the independence it gives him. When I asked him for his current thoughts on CTCMath for this review, he said:

CTCMath is an online math program for students in  grades K -12.

I am on my third year of using CTCMath for high school. I have used it from Algebra I, through Algebra 2 and Geometry, and now I am into Pre-Calc/Trigonometry, which has allowed me to become quite familiar with the program.

Its style of videos followed by a short set of around ten questions works well with my independent learning style. For those who work better with worksheets, that’s an option as well. In fact, for some lessons, worksheets are the only option because the covered subject is too complex for a set of online multiple-choice questions.

Recently the site has undergone some changes which have been mostly graphical.  Among the changes has been the addition of a mastery bar. This video explains what the mastery bar is about:

Overall, I have greatly appreciated CTCMath. Out of all the math programs I have used, I have stayed with CTC the longest. It is easy to use and, typically, helps me move through math learning independently. The only issue I have is sometimes the videos are not enough to help me understand a concept clearly. On such occasions, I sometimes need to ask someone else for help or I just keep working through problems until I get them. As a self learner this works fine for me as I usually just learn by trying.

I would highly suggest CTCMath to anyone who wants to take more control of their education or for parents who want to have to be less hands-on with their students. It has been great for me, and I hope the same can hold true for you.

CTCMath has truly been a blessing to our family, fitting each child's needs in a different way and carrying two of my children through multiple grades of math with very little oversight or help from me.

I Highly Recommend CTCMath

Over and over since we first began using CTCMath in 2019, I have recommended it to others in person and online as an excellent, user-friendly program that can help students take control of their learning. I am doing so again today:

CTCMath is an easy to use program that allows students to self-pace through lessons and even move between grade level math courses. It also allows parents to easily check student progress by providing extensive reports that can help parents and students identify weaker areas that require further study and applaud progress in stronger areas.

Not many math programs make me cheer, but CTCMath does: Hoorah for CTCMath making math easy and independent for students while simplifying things for parents, too. I truly think it is the best online math curriculum for homeschoolers out there.

Get a Discount on CTCMath!

One more reason to cheer about CTCMath is that they have a homeschool discount right now.  Click through if you would like to try CTCMath for 1/2 price!

Also, be aware that there is no risk involved. CTCMath offers a 12-month money-back guarantee with no questions asked if you find the curriculum is not for you and your
family. 

Learn More

You can see if 30+ other Homeschool Review Crew families love CTCMath as much as my family does by clicking through to read blog, video, and social media reviews from different families using the program with students of varying ages and abilities.

You can also find all of my family's CTCMath reviews here and connect with CTCMath online at:

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What Math program Is Helping My Son Whiz through His High School Math Credits? {A Review}

I received this complimentary product through the Homeschool Review Crew.

We were so excited when we were offered a chance to review a 12-month subscription to CTCMath again this year.

Why?

Because, since we started using it in 2019, it has become our easy-button for math for both my 11-year old and my 15-year old.

My highschooler, in particular, was psyched when we heard we would be able to review CTCMath again this year. For, with our 2020 review, he set some lofty math goals for himself and, using the self-paced online CTCMath program, he met those and was eager to continue with his math success over the summer and into the fall this year.

Here's what he had to say when I asked him for his thoughts for this review:

I have tried many math programs over the years, and CTCMath is definitely the one that I have been most successful with.

Most other programs fall into one of two categories that don't work for me:

1) They lose my interest quickly because they take too long to teach basic things and/or do not offer instant marking of correct and incorrect answers.

2) They engage me well, but do not teach anything new. They are simply for review and supplementary study.

CTCMath, on the other hand, is brilliantly put together for a student like me. The lessons are formatted in a way that when I understand material, they only take about 10-20 minutes to complete. (They only take longer when I make mistakes or when a lesson includes a particularly tedious math skill.)

To do a lesson, you are supposed to watch the video lesson, which is typically quite short, then either complete a worksheet (which you can print)...

 ... or answer a set of questions, one-by-one on screen. (The online questions are not always available, but the worksheet is.

 

Correct answers are shown as soon as you submit your own answer.

 

Typically, I skip the videos and go straight to the questions using a provided lesson notes pdf as a reference. I only go back to the video on the rare occasion I get stuck.

Last year, I set out to complete Algebra II, Geometry, and Trigonometry. I was able to complete the first two, only needing outside help twice for some of the final lessons in Algebra II. I was not able to do Trigonometry, because once I was ready to begin it, I learned that CTCMath had changed their program and Trigonometry is now not a separate course, but, instead, is part of Pre-Calculus.

So, when I got this review, I started Pre-Calculus. So far, it is going well. I am over a quarter of the way through already and have had no problems. I have 100% average and hope to keep a high score and strong understanding as the more difficult material in the course unfolds.

 

When I complete Pre-Calculus using CTCMath, I will have finished my required high school credits and what I would need to get into basic college programs. If my other high school courses are going well, I will likely continue using CTCMath straight through Calculus, which is the highest level course CTCMath offers.

I would recommend CTCMath to anyone who wants to learn math at their own pace without a live teacher or parent hovering over. CTCMath has massively aided my success with my high school goals!

As you can see, my eldest is enthused about what a good fit CTCMath is for him and how it is helping him meet with success with his self-determined high school goals.

CTCMath has also been a favorite learning pursuit of my eleven year old who finished the Grade 5 program with very little help from me or anyone else and happily by his own choice - has begun his sixth grade program even though it is summertime.

This week, however, he's been taking a true summer break since he is away at camp. Before he left, I asked him for quick comments for this review and he said he likes CTCMath, he can use it on his own, and he recommends it.

I do, too! 

Seriously online and in person, whenever anyone asks me about math options for their elementary through highschooler, I suggest CTCMath.

The program is so easy to use - with students being able to self-pace through lessons and even go between any grade level/course they desire to should they want to, and parents being able to easily check student progress through reports which not only show what students have and have not finished, but when they did lessons. (This helps moms like me ensure their kiddoes are not getting distracted online and saying they ae doing math when they are not. Admittedly, this has happened here before, but it seldom does now. My boys like CTCMath and stay tuned in with it to learn math skills and reach their goals.)

I truly cannot say enough about CTCMath ad how it has made math so easy for two of my children.

You can see if 40+ other Homeschool Review Crew families love CTCMath as much as my boys and I do by clicking through to read blog, video, and social media reviews from different families using the program with students of varying ges and abilities.

You can also connect with CTCMath online at:

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CTCMath Is Our "Easy Button" for Math Success!

Disclaimer: I received a FREE 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.

"Mom, can I do some more math?"

These are words that I hear often from my 10-year-old who has fallen in love with CTCMath and was psyched when we received another 12-month family membership for review. They are also the words that come to mind whenever I find myself recommending CTCMath to other homeschoolers.

Why?

Because CTCMath has proven itself easy and enjoyable here and has driven my youngest to want to do math regularly even during his free time while also becoming his big brother's go-to math curricula and remaining a resource that my daughter occasionally goes to practice Speed Skills and Times Tables.

Seriously, our 12-month family membership is one of few math resources that has consistently stood the test of time in our home and has required very little from me.

So, if you are looking for a mainly an online math program that your children can progress through with success and independence - and one that you can also easily check in on, print things from, and even make assignments with if you wish - I highly recommend a 12-month family membership from CTCMath!

It works beautifully here - and is 1/2 off for homeschoolers!

What is CTCMath

CTCMath is an online, subscription-based math program for grades K-12 that is used by over 200,000 students worldwide to learn math from Kindy to Calculus. Created by Pat Murray, a math teacher and homeschool Dad of 10, the program aims to help students progress easily through math with short, interactive lessons that speak to a variety of learning styles.  

Courses within the program include ones for grades K-6, plus:

1. Basic Math and Pre-Algebra
2. Elementary Measurement
3. Elementary Geometry
4. Algebra I
5. Geometry
6. Algebra II
7. Triginometry
8. Pre-Calculus
9. Calculus

Each course is delivered through brief video tutorials, interactive online questions, printable worksheets and solutions, diagnostic tests, and reports of progress.

Families have separate student pages for each child and a separate parent/teacher page, too, all of which are easy to navigate.

The teacher pages gives access to tracking information, scores, tasks to be assigned, tools, and more.  It also allows you to easily switch to student view pages, which is quite handy when checking in with a child side-by-side or on your own.

Student pages allow students to easily jump back and forth between grade levels and skills as they need to or to progress on a more linear track. This works fabulously well in our home and makes this math program stand out among others we have tried as one that offers the ultimate in family and student-friendly flexibility.

I am so grateful for how all the features of CTCMath come easily together so that students can work independently with some freedom as to what they wish to work on while parent/teachers can also assign specific tasks.

All you need to use the program is an internet connection and a device with a web browser, plus, if you like printed material, a printer, ink, a pencil, and paper, are good, too, since there are optional printable portions to lessons.

Our CTCMath Experience

We began using CTCMath with all three of my children about a year ago and, it quickly became the go-to curricula for my oldest and a surprise success with my youngest.

Surprise, indeed!

When I posted a review about the program a year ago, my then 9-year-old has the least enthusiastic words to share about it, saying:

CTCMath is good. I like the time tables and speeds skills games. They help me enjoy practicing, and I think I am getting faster.

The regular lessons are okay. I don't like how long some of the tests are, but it's easy to use. I'd like to keep using it as a supplement.

Then, something changed and my now 10-year-old began liking the main lessons more and more, whipping through his 4th grade math and moving onto 5th grade lessons even after I told him he could take a math break for the late spring and summer since he'd completed 4th grade skills.

Indeed, my boy did not want a break, had already complete 1/3 of the 5th grade lessons, and regularly asks, "Mom, can I do more math?"  

Wow!  That is success!

Here is what he has to say about CTCMath now:

CTCMath is a great program. It is easy to access, and kids can do it by themselves.

It is perfect for me, because I can do as many lessons or as few lessons as I want a day, and I am already 1/3 of the way through 5th grade before I even start my 5th grade year. 

When I use it, I ask Mom if I can get online (sometimes. Sometimes, I just get on.) Then, I look at the first question in a lesson. If it is hard for me, I go back and watch the video. Then, I do the lessons.

If I get stuck, I do it again and again until I get it. Very occasionally, I ask Mom or Dad for help. 

The way the program teaches is good. There are examples, they explain what they are doing, and it moves step by step.

I would recommend it to everybody! 

 

I am pleased with how CTCMath has gone from being something my son was not as enthused to give commentary about a year ago to something he recommends to everyone today. I am even more pleased that he is succeeding to well with the program!

My 14-year-old is also succeeding, and had this to say:

I like CTCMath, because it is easy to use and helped me get through Algebra 1.

 

 

While I was doing that, I also worked on Geometry, because I wanted a break from Algebra, but still wanted to work on my high school math credits.

 

 

In the year or so I have used CTCMath, I worked regularly and ended up finishing Algebra and am about 75% done with Geometry.  

 

 

To do the lessons, I log in, click on the next lesson, and usually just jump right into the questions.

 

If I get stuck, I watch the video or use the pdf lesson summary. (An example of one is below.)

 

 

If I am still stuck, I keep working through it or jump to a lesson in a different category. I appreciate how easy CTCMath is to navigate.

 

I was happy to get another year subscription and hope to finish Geometry, Algebra II, and Trigonometry this year. I am ambitious!

 
Yep!  You heard that right. My 14-year old has big plans for his math progress using our current 12-month family membership! That delights me!

I just love how the program allows my oldest son to meet his goals for independent learning and working through his high school credits. I also appreciate that the program allows me to easily check in on how he is doing.

Truly, since beginning with CTCMath when we reviewed it previously, I have come to depend on the program as the "easy button" it has become for us.

It works wonderfully for my boys and has stood the test of time as an easy-to-use, helpful, and expedient way for them to successfully progress in their homeschool math studies!

All I have had to do for my boys' main math studies in the past year is provide them with online access, check in via the parent access occasionally (typically when an email prompts me about their progress), and offer them some quick help on one or two lessons when they got stuck.

That's it!

Learn More

You can learn more about 12-month family membership from CTCMath by watching this video:

I wholeheartedly recommend the program since we get a lot of us out of our 12-month family membership with two children working independently at their own pace and another logging on for Speed Skills and Times Tables at times.

I appreciate the ease and effectiveness of CTCMath and can attest that is has become a staple in our homeschool.

If you and yours seek a straightforward, clear, easy-to-use independent math resource that can be used by children at various grade levels with Mom or Dad easily checking in on progress and occasionally helping, this is it!

As we continue to use CTCMath, I have witnessed:

• my 10-year-old become a bit of a math lesson "addict" (in a good way) asking to get online to do lessons even in his free time.  
• my 14-year-old appreciating the short, to-the-point lessons as a way to progress with necessary math skills so he can earn high school credits in more than one course concurrently.
• my 13-year-old supplementing her math studies with CTCMath Speed Skills and Times Tables.
• my children learning at their own paces, sometimes with the video tutorials and sometimes just jumping right into the problems.
• only "healthy" frustration during math time - you know, the kind where a kid gets "stuck" for a bit, takes a break, then, comes back and has the "click" happen, which gets the endorphins going, and spurns more math progress
• stress-free math learning and easy check-ins on progress.

Great stuff!

Find the reviews.

See what 60 families that reviewed CTCMath though about the program by clicking through to find video, blog, and social media reviews.

You can also connect on social media: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube

We Found Our Math Resource for This Year! {A CTCMath Review}

 
I like to have multiple ways for my children to learn and practice math all year, so when an opportunity to review CTCMath’s 12-month family membership came up, I asked my children if they would be interested in trying it and all three said, "Yes." I as pleased with their response, since CTCMath has an excellent reputation and I was curious how it would work for my children.

In short order, I discovered, CTCMath works wonderfully for our family. All summer, it has proven itself to be an easy-to-use, helpful, and quick way for my children to progress with math studies.

What is CTCMath?

CTCMath is an online, subscription-based math program for grades K-12 that is used by over 200,000 students worldwide. Created by Pat Murray, a math teacher and homeschool Dad of 10, the program aims to help students progress easily through math with short, interactive lessons that speak to a variety of learning styles. 

Grade levels and courses within the program include:

• Kindergarten
• 1st grade
• 2nd grade
• 3rd grade
• 4th grade
• 5th grade
• 6th grade
• Basic Math and Pre-Algebra
• Elementary Measurement
• Elementary Geometry
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Algebra II
• Triginometry
• Pre-Calculus
• Calculus

The courses are delivered through video tutorials, interactive questions, worksheets and solutions, diagnostic tests, and reports of progress.

There are separate student and teacher pages, both easy to navigate.

The teacher pages gives access to tracking information, scores, tasks to be assigned, tools, and more.  It also allows you to easily switch to student view pages, which is quite handy
Student pages allow students to easily jump back and forth between grade levels and skills as they need to or to progress on a more linear track.

I appreciate how all this comes together so that students can work independently with some freedom as to what they wish to work on, but that parent teachers can also assign specific tasks.

You can learn more about the program by watching this video:

To use the program, all you need is an internet connection and a device with a web browser.  If you like printed material, a printer, ink, paper, and pencil are good, too, since there are optional printable portions to lessons.


What Do My Children Have to Say About CTCMath

More often than not, when my children sit down for their daily independent math time, my children choose CTCMath over other resources we have available, and each is progressing well with it.

My 13-year-old, who is intent on starting high school one year early, has decided CTCMath will be his main math program for the year.

He said:

CTCMath is an online math program that covers grades K-12. I decided to try this program, because I am entering high school and need a math program.

While not as engaging as some other math programs I have tried, CTCMath is extremely simple to use. You just log in, go to your grade level and whatever math subject you are working on and click on a lesson in the section you are working on.

 

Each lesson consists of a video and questions along with a printable worksheet if you are not one who likes computers.

 

One of the most annoying features is that it allows teachers or parents to set a passing grade, which is really aggravating when your Mom sets it to 85% or better and you only have 6-10 questions, meaning you cannot have any mistakes. But, when Mom lowers it, it becomes easier.

The videos are clear, but, for me, not necessary because the subject is pretty easy to learn so far. 

I intend to use this for the rest of this year. I am doing well with it and it makes math quick and easy for me.

I hope my oldest son sticks with his plan to use CTCMath all year as it has been such a no-fuss way for him to progress with math skills since we started using it.

My 12-year-old, who does not always like online math programs and who has math skill gaps due to challenges with dyslexia and other things, also has found CTCMath helpful. 

She had this to say: 

When I first started CTCMath, I thought it was dumb. I didn't like it, because I did not know how to use it well. Once I clicked around more, failed a few things, asked my mom for some help, that kind of stuff... I found out that it's actually really easy to use, and it makes math simple! 

Once I figured CTCMath out, I got a little bit - just a teeny bit - addicted. I ended up doing over two hours of math in one day during my free choice time. I was determined to finish over half the tasks under one topic in a day, which I did. 

CTCMath is really simple to maneuver. All you have to do is sign in. Then, you see your profile with your average.

When you actually open as yourself, there is a lot of white space, which I really like and there are not a ton of tasks that they show at once. So, for me, there are only 12 tasks to do right now and I have passed five of them and started another five of them. This keeps me motivated and not overwhelmed. I am also interested to see what the next level will look like.

With each section, you can take a diagnostic test - a 16 question, a 32 question, etc. There is also a search.

Also, at the top, there are tabs for lessons tasks, results, settings, and history.

When you hit on results, it shows you results on everything you have worked on - your first grade and your highest grade.

It also has places on the bottom to click for speed skills, times tables, and swapping pieces.  These are games to make things more fun in my perspective.

I actually enjoy CTCMath and want to keep using it. It's easy, I'm learning, and I like it.

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to see my daughter's success and confidence grow with CTCMath! It has been such an unexpected blessing.

More than once during my daughter's free time, I have found her on my bed with our laptop reaching to meet a self-set CTCMath goal. I have also found her printing out worksheets to use for practice when she doesn't feel like being online.  Hoorah!


My 9-year-old also likes CTCMath, although not with the same enthusiasm as his siblings.  He had this to say:

CTCMath is good. I like the time tables and speeds skills games. They help me enjoy practicing, and I think I am getting faster.

The regular lessons are okay. I don't like how long some of the tests are, but it's easy to use. I'd like to keep using it as a supplement.

Indeed, he will do just that. 

Learn More

I have a child who "gets" math easily but lacks focus, one who does not "get" math as easily but seeks independent success, and one who is pretty typical for his age.  All three are doing well with CTCMath, so I would say CTCMath can help a variety of children succeed! 

I would recommend  CTCMath’s 12-month family membership to any family that seeks a straightforward, clear, easy-to-use independent math resource that can be used by all their children with Mom or Dad checking in on progress easily.

In the weeks we've been using the program, I have witnessed:

• positive changes in one child's confidence and attitude when it comes to math.
• one child appreciating the short, to-the-point lessons as a way to quickly progress with necessary math skills.
• all three of my children learning at their own pace, some with the video tutorials and one without.
• little to no frustrations or issues during math time.
• stress-free math learning and easy check-ins on progress.

I so appreciate the ease and effectiveness of CTCMath and think you may like it, too.

The only thing I would like to see added to the program is a way for questions to be read to students so that children that have reading challenges can tackle text based questions with no troubles.

Find the reviews.

To see how all 60 families that reviewed CTCMath felt about the program, click through to the reviews.

You can also connect on social media: 

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