Disclaimer: I was compensated for my time in exchange for my honest review. Opinions and viewpoints are my own.
These last few weeks have been a whirlwind with the official beginning of a new homeschool year, and I’ve been trying out new curriculum from Master Books in the process. I gave you a breakdown of each previously, but since we are still loving it, I thought that it was time for a “ How it’s going” review.
In our homeschool, math reigns supreme, and we’re always on the lookout for the best curriculum to support my learner’s love of numbers. Recently, we had the opportunity to explore Master Books’ Math Lessons for A Living Education for grade 6, and their Living Art Lessons curriculum, which focuses on teaching the fundamental elements of Fine Art. Here’s what we discovered!
Math Lessons for A Living Education – Level 6
Master Books provides a faith-based curriculum that seamlessly integrates Christian principles with practical, everyday learning. Their Math Lessons for A Living Education series uses real-life stories and situations to make math relatable and engaging for students. Level 6, written by Angela O’Dell, is part of this series and designed with a Charlotte Mason-inspired approach, focusing on gentle, story-based learning.
What We Loved About Math Lessons for A Living Education
• Engaging Stories: Each lesson starts with a well-written, real-world story that introduces the math concepts. The stories are vibrant and visually appealing, making math feel relevant and approachable. While we are a secular homeschool family, the subtle incorporation of faith added a gentle, reflective touch to the lessons.
• Hands-On, Practical Learning: Through story-based instruction, students are invited to see the purpose of math in daily life. This approach is great for learners who struggle with abstract concepts, as it ties math to familiar, real-life situations.
• Parent Involvement: The curriculum is designed to keep parents actively involved. Each lesson begins with reading and discussing the story, which prompted me to engage more directly in my learner’s education. This was a shift from our usual independent math time but gave us a meaningful opportunity to bond over the subject.
• Comprehensive Course Structure: The course is well-organized, covering 36 weeks with daily lessons that take about 30 minutes. The Teacher’s Guide offers clear direction, including quizzes, answer keys, a suggested schedule, and space to record progress and grades.
How It Worked for Us
My son, Cash, was immediately drawn to the colorful illustrations and engaging stories. Though he is technically a 4th grader, his math level is at least 6th grade or above, so Level 6 was a good starting point for review. Cash flew through the material quickly, completing about a week’s worth of lessons in one sitting. While the content was fairly simple for him, we appreciated the real-life approach to problem-solving and the solid foundational review.
For students who excel in math, like Cash, you may find the pacing a bit slower. However, this curriculum could be an excellent option for children who need extra support or a more narrative-driven, real-life context to spark their interest in math.
Overall, Math Lessons for A Living Education by Master Books has been a fun and engaging addition to our homeschool routine, providing a fresh perspective on math and reinforcing essential skills that will carry into middle school math and beyond and we plan to continue to enjoy it as a supplement to his grade level mathematics.
Living Art Lessons – Creativity Meets Structure
Art has always been a significant part of our family, and when my son declared his desire to be an artist, I knew we needed a structured yet creative curriculum to help him explore this passion. That’s when we found Living Art Lessons from MasterBooks.
What We Loved About Living Art Lessons
• Foundational Approach: This course begins with the 7 Elements of Art: Line, Shape, Color, Value, Texture, Form, and Space. These are the building blocks of any art education, and it’s exactly what my son needed to deepen his understanding of the subject.
• Low Prep, High Engagement: Living Art Lessons is designed to be easy to implement, with each lesson taking just 30-45 minutes twice a week. The curriculum includes all instructions, artist study, and practice activities right in the text and Artist’s Journal, which are both reproducible and binder-ready.
• Learning from the Masters: We loved that the curriculum seamlessly integrates learning from famous artists like Picasso, Van Gogh, and Norman Rockwell, providing context and inspiration without overwhelming the student. My son found these lessons fascinating and not overly complex.
• Hands-On Activity Pages: The Artist’s Journal includes fun, reproducible activity pages where students can practice foundational skills. It’s perfect for independent learners who enjoy working at their own pace and building a portfolio of work by the end of the course.
How It Worked for Us
My son took to this curriculum immediately. He loves the structure and the creativity it encourages. Each lesson allows him to explore new techniques and artists while developing his own skills. For me, as a mom with an art background, it’s a relief to have a solid curriculum in place that supports his interest without requiring me to teach every aspect of it directly.
The flexibility of Living Art Lessons also means we can adapt it to a summer study if needed, packing 5-6 lessons per week to complete it in 12 weeks. It’s an excellent option for year-round learning or a focused art study. I couldn’t exclude this from our homeschool studies if I wanted to… my kid won’t let me!
Final Thoughts
Both Math Lessons for A Living Education and Living Art Lessons by MasterBooks offer comprehensive, engaging, and faith-based learning that integrates real-life application with academic growth. For families looking for a curriculum that nurtures both practical and creative sides of their children, these programs are definitely worth exploring.
Head to MasterBooks to see how these courses (and the many others they offer) can enhance your homeschool journey!
@Mamasweetbaby 
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