SRA Math Explorations and Applications, Level 4, Student Edition

I am using this series with my children for homeschooling and the kids have completed levels K-5. I must say that I am very impressed. I looked long and hard for a good math series that actually helps kids learn how to do math, as opposed to the "soft" math which is stressed in most schools and therefore, most texts, these days. After scrutinizing many reviews and mathematicallycorrect.com, I chose this set. I have no regrets. Beginning at the very earliest grades this series promotes algebra readiness by asking the student to "solve for n" at even the elementary addition level. I also applaud the texts for including "real life" word problems in every lesson, which allow the student to continually apply their skills and use critical problem solving thinking at every level. The books are very useful as a series, as each book expands on and offers practice for what was learned in the prior year as well as introducing new topic areas in a palatable and easily understood format for the next year. Some people might also be impressed by the "cross curriculum connectivity", which presents opportunities for the teacher to tie the math lesson to other areas of the curriculum like history, science, etc. I, however, have not taken advantage of this feature as I felt them to be distracting. A final plus for home educators is that each text can be used as a stand alone book without all of the extra workbooks and black line masters necessary for other books. Each text includes a mid unit review for each chapter,an extensive chapter review, as well as a cumulative review to be done in sections at the back of the book. In addition, there is a test for each chapter included in the book. I would suggest the teacher's manual to help cut a parent's time checking work. I also use the practice workbook (softcover) with my kids. As a side note, don't bother purchasing the solution manual for this if you have the teacher's manual since the TM includes the answers for the practice workbook In short, these math books actually teach math. They give clear examples, offer plenty of practice, and support each other for a terrific elementary math foundation.

According to mathematicallycorrect.com, this is the top rated 5th grade math text. At 600 pages, it weighs a ton, which is why I'm thinking about buying a copy so my 4th grade daughter doesn't have to lug it to and from school in her backpack.The thing that tickled me about this text is that they presented the famous (to a computer scientist, anyway) traveling salesman problem, to find the shortest path that visits every city on the given map and returns to the starting point.This book is ONLY available in hardback. The associated paperback edition is only a workbook.