Systematic Mathematics
Math: Grades 3 - 10
Author/Instructor: Paul Ziegler
For more information or to order: www.systemath.com

Paul Ziegler is a former math teacher who believes that math should be taught like phonics - one concept at a time, rather than the spiral approach used in most math curriculums.  After observing the continued downward trend of math scores among high school students, he decided to create a "precept upon precept" math program.  In Systematic Mathematics each math concept is covered very thoroughly in it's own module - on video or DVD. Then you move to the next topic/module. By following this approach, math is not just memorized it is understood.  When I was sharing with a few friends in my co-op that I was reviewing System Mathematics, one of the moms mentioned that she uses this program and quickly commented that her children were doing well.  She also commented how much she appreciated being able to call the author/instructor with questions.

I was given the module on Prime Factors for this review.  Mr. Ziegler has a unique way of explaining concepts and after 20 lessons covering this one topic, I must admit I now have a much better understanding than I ever had in school or when I covered this with my son a couple of years ago in his math book.  I commented about this to Mr. Ziegler and he responded, "I don't know if you have tried to teach prime factoring using the "Factor tree" but you can see that that method doesn't lend itself to actually using prime factoring.  Prime factoring is only useful when dealing with large numbers and, if you can't factor large numbers easily, it is useless.  Most books devote 2 lessons to it and when it is over the child says, 'Where can we ever use that?' and the mother says, 'I don't know.'  And that is the end of it."  Amazingly, I can remember having that very conversation with my oldest son a couple of years ago!

Each of the modules in Systematic Mathematics is set up the same, with two to four videos/DVD's per module, which contain all of the instruction, and a CD that has all of the worksheets/answer keys and quizzes/final tests.  The CD also includes "data sheets", which have further instruction and explanation.  We found them a helpful addition to Mr. Ziegler's instruction on the video.  The number of lessons varies from module to module depending on the topic covered.  The videos have a "homemade" look and quality with no flashy animations, music or graphics.  Though certainly pleasant, Mr. Ziegler does not set out to be entertaining as he teaches, but rather focuses on clear explanations and liberal use of a whiteboard to insure that students have a firm grasp before moving on to the next module.  Because of the systematic presentation of concepts, your student will have to get used to staying with one topic until it is complete.  This may be a bit of an adjustment if they are used to a traditional program that introduces several new concepts per week, (but never stays with the topic long enough for the information to "stick" before moving on to something new).  Because the worksheets, quizzes and tests are on a CD, the whole program is non-consumable, so you can reuse it with younger children. I was also pleasantly surprised at how affordable the author has made each module.  Systematic Mathematics modules begin with the topic Labeled Quantities and continue through Algebra.  To show how much he believes in his product, Mr. Ziegler offers a money back guarantee. Wonder which module to start with?  Mr. Ziegler is happy to answer this and other questions.  You may contact him at the website listed above.

Systematic Mathematics presents concepts in a orderly progression that really makes sense.  Mr. Ziegler has an interesting way of relaying the information so that it "sticks".  Students learn not only HOW to work with numbers, but WHY they must complete various steps related to solving particular problems. I encourage you to visit his website to see if Systematic Mathematics is right for your family.

Making the grade: -A
Cost: $16.50 - $26.50 depending on the module
Value for your homeschool dollar: 9
Reviewed by Cindy Prechtel, Editor