A lot of parents have asked for something to help their children with homework. They tell us that the new Common Core math is confusing and they don't know how to explain it to their children in a way that jibes with what is being taught in the classroom. In a simply-laid-out workbook, Spectrum has clarified much of the confusion. These books are simple and easy to follow with answers in the back. Students can do a page of math and a page of ELA (English/Language Arts) a day, or just do a few pages a week as it suits your family schedule. For a homeschool family, these are an easy way to make sure your child is meeting the grade level standards their school peers are meeting. If you have to do any sort of grade level testing, here is a handy checklist for your student. Each workbook has 128 pp and is half ELA and half math. My favorite feature is a teaching tip at the bottom of each page. They are clever little things a parent can do with a child to get them thinking critically and applying the principles in the lessons. In the front of each book, the Common Core Standards connected to the lesson are clearly listed. This sort of book can alleviate parents' anxiety about the standards by giving examples with clear explanations. ~ Sara
