Do You Have an Effective Process for Your Homeschool Math Mid-Year Review?
If you’re a homeschooler, this is something you definitely want to do. A mid-year review can provide valuable insights and help ensure your student stays on track to complete the course successfully. Whether you’re using our TabletClass Math curriculum or another program, these key steps will help guide your review.
With decades of experience teaching middle and high school math, I’ve developed a tried-and-true approach to mid-year reviews. In this post, I’ll outline six essential areas to evaluate.
1. Review Grades
Start by evaluating your child’s grades on chapter or unit exams. Ideally, by mid-year, you should have at least five or six major test scores to analyze. If your student has scores below 80% on any exam, it’s crucial to revisit those areas. Math concepts build upon each other, and gaps in understanding will lead to more significant struggles as the material becomes more complex later in the course. Use this opportunity to review and strengthen any weaker areas.
Key takeaway: Don’t just move forward—ensure mastery of previous topics before progressing.
2. Assess Course Pacing
Next, look at how far along you are in the course. For instance, if you started in August or September and plan to finish by May or June, you should be roughly halfway through the material by now. If you’re behind—say, still in chapter 4 of Algebra 1 in January—adjustments may be necessary. Remember, math courses become progressively more challenging, so staying on pace is critical.
If you find that your student is struggling with the current level of difficulty, it may be worth reconsidering their course placement. For example, jumping from pre-algebra to Algebra 2 could lead to an overwhelming experience, so make sure the level is appropriate.
Key takeaway: Keep pace with the curriculum, and make adjustments if necessary to stay on track.
3. Evaluate Daily Routines
How consistent is your child’s math routine? I strongly recommend working on math every weekday. At the high school level, this typically means at least two hours per day—one hour of instruction and up to one hour of homework. If your student isn’t putting in consistent effort or time each day, it will be difficult for them to retain information and make steady progress.
If you’re behind schedule, it’s important to prioritize math and reduce distractions. A scattered approach, such as trying to cram five hours of math into one day and taking the rest of the week off, will not lead to success. Daily practice builds retention and understanding.
Key takeaway: Math should be a daily focus, with consistent time dedicated to both learning and practice.
4. Reassess the Curriculum
Is the curriculum or program you’re using still working for your student? If your child is breezing through the material without feeling challenged, the program might not be rigorous enough. Conversely, if they’re struggling to the point of frustration, it could be a sign that the curriculum is too advanced.
For example, if your student is flying through an Algebra 1 course without much effort, they might need a more challenging program. On the other hand, if they’re finding every chapter difficult, it may be time to reassess and switch to a different curriculum. Just make sure to make changes early—don’t wait until the end of the year to switch courses, as it will be too disruptive.
Key takeaway: The right curriculum should strike a balance between being challenging and manageable.
5. Strengthen Academic Habits
Academic habits are often overlooked but are a critical part of your student’s success. Mid-year is the perfect time to assess their note-taking skills. Are they taking comprehensive notes that they can learn from later? Are their homework problems organized, logical, and detailed? These habits matter in math and every other subject.
Students often take shortcuts, like skipping practice problems if they think they understand the material. This is a bad habit that will lead to gaps in their learning. Ensure your child is completing all assigned work, watching the full lessons, and putting in the necessary time.
Key takeaway: Good academic habits, like note-taking and completing all assignments, are essential for success.
6. Plan for the Next Course
Finally, it’s time to start thinking ahead to the next course your student will take. For example, after Algebra 1, the logical next step is Geometry. However, don’t rush through the current course just to stay on schedule—make sure your child fully understands the material before moving on.
If you’re running behind, consider extending the course into the summer rather than cramming to finish by the end of the school year. And if you’re thinking about switching curriculums for the next course, start researching now so you’re ready when the time comes.
Key takeaway: Never rush to the next course—ensure mastery first, even if it means extending the timeline.
Final Thoughts
A mid-year review might sound like a formal, time-consuming process, but in reality, it’s something you should be doing regularly. Don’t wait until midyear to address issues—small adjustments throughout the year will keep your child on track.
These six areas—grades, pacing, routines, curriculum, academic habits, and future planning—will provide a strong foundation for an effective review and help ensure your student’s success in math.
If you need more support, I invite you to explore our TabletClass Math courses. We offer placement exams to ensure your student is in the right course, and I’m always here to help guide you through your homeschool math journey.
