Review Learn Math Fast....And Easy

Need a simple, fun way too teach your kids math? Then be sure to read this review on the Learn Math Fast System.

I have a confession I dislike math!! Probably because math has always been confusing for me and never fun. Thanks to school class schedule conflicts and a school counselor I was pushed ahead and skipped over basic math principles in Jr. High and High School. I was plopped in Algebra 1 without taking Pre-Algebra and tossed in Pre-Calculus (which I ended up dropping out of) after struggling my way through Algebra 2. It wasn't until I took Electronics classes my Senior year that math started to click a little for me. Why? Well because it was fun and practical. 

We started out our first homeschool year using printable worksheets and workbooks on addition, subtraction an money. I soon realized my 6 yr old daughter loved math, uh oh!!! How was I going to teach a subject I dislike to a child who loves it? I knew I needed to continue making it enjoyable and that I needed to make sure they were learning all the necessary math concepts. So I started researching math curriculum's this year to find one that would meet my criteria: hands on, fun, easy for me to understand, easy for the kids to understand, simple to use and practical. I knew I didn't want a curriculum that was nothing but pages of text jargon and a few sample problems. During my research I found Learn Math Fast.

A moms review:
Learn Math Fast was created by homeschool mom J.K. Mergens. The books show how she taught math to her own son during their homeschooling years. At the age of 16 her son was enrolled in college. He was hired as a math tutor, earned 3 college degrees and today is a Civil Engineer. 

There are 5 books in the Learn Math Fast system teaching grades 1st - 9th grade. Each book teaches a different approach making it possible for children to advance several grade levels in a matter of months. Children will understand and be able to get past the 6 math stumbling blocks: Addition, Multiplication, Fractions, Negative Numbers, Solving for X and Geometry using the Learn Math Fast System. I love how the grade levels are not actually printed on the books. This is great especially for children who may be behind in math. Need to figure out what book to start your child at? Then have them take the placement test (make sure you check out the cool "9's Trick" video).

We started out with Volume 1. All of the books include the lessons, worksheets, tests, and answers. To preserve your book for another child or resale there are copies of all the worksheets on the home page of the website. Just scroll down to the very bottom of the page. The 1st edition worksheets are available to everyone for FREE however the 2nd edition worksheets require a password to access them (this is provided to you upon purchasing the book). Book one is geared towards grades 1st - 3rd. But again it is not printed on the book so if your child is in 4th grade and needs to start on Volume 1 then that's where they start and their self esteem will not be damaged by seeing 1st-3rd grade printed on the cover. Volume 1 covers addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, place value, the decimal point, and US measurements. I know its not a key math concept but I would have liked to see a little bit of "time" learning skills thrown in somewhere.

Volume 1 starts out teaching children about addition and subtraction using pennies. We used our play paper pennies and Gwyn really enjoyed the hands on approach. The first chapter has several lessons and starts children out very slowly by teaching how to add and subtract numbers up to 5. There is a quick lesson which uses penny visual aids followed by a game that you play with your children to make what they just learned FUN. When they are ready to move on there are a few sample problems followed by a worksheet and timed test. Children should not move onto the next chapter until they master the timed test. If your child gets stressed out about timed tests email the author for some alternative approaches. Children proceed through the first chapter by learning how to add and subtract numbers up to 10 as well as adding and subtracting the same number. In Chapter 2 children will learn how to add numbers larger than 10. Chapter 3 discusses multiplication and division. And Chapter 4 gets into US standard measurements. At the end of the book there is a final exam as well.

We have only worked through the first few lessons in Chapter 1 due to it being Summertime and Gwyn just starting to move onto 1st grade material. But what we have done so far she finds very enjoyable. She is so very proud of herself when she get the problems correct. I have paged through the rest of the book and I must say I am upset I didn't learn math this way. And I am sure as I go through the book with the children I will be learning and freshening up my math skills along with them and who knows maybe even begin to enjoy math.

A few other things I really enjoy about this book are:
-The way decimals and place values are taught using dollar bills.
-The way that multiplication is taught. The book does not focus on memorizing ALL the times tables.
-The measuring cup and spoon graphics that are used to teach measurements. This makes what they are learning very practical.
-The way that multiplication and division are covered together.
-The way that coins and dollar bills are used throughout the book which cover money learning skills.

Even if you're not in the market for math books, you might still enjoy the free worksheets, math lessons, math game, or great articles about homeschooling on the Learn Math Fast website; no "sign in" is necessary.

If you would like more information about Learn Math Fast check out their video and sample pages.




Gwyns review (6 yrs old):

I like learning about math and I like my new book. I really like counting the pennies to learn to add and minus. 

Links to follow:
-Learn Math Fast Website

Where to buy:
The books can be purchased directly from Learn Math Fast. The individual books are $49.00 or you can opt to purchase them as a package: Volume 1-4 is $149.00 and Volume 1-5 is $190.00. All prices include FREE shipping. If you need to make payments there is an option to do that as well through Paypal.


*Disclaimer - I received a copy of Volume 1 Learn Math Fast in return for my honest review. Please note that prices indicated in the post are subject to change. I was not compensated for my review and all opinions are our own! Many of the links found on my side bars and in my blog posts are affiliate links. As a result, I might get paid money and I will most likely spend the money on homeschool supplies.