By Art of Problem Solving (AoPS)·Mathematics
10 video reviews: 8 positive
Across nine videos, no reviewer regrets choosing Beast Academy — the consistent picture is a challenging, logic-and-puzzle-based math program wrapped in a kid-friendly comic format. One mom who had searched for years for a math curriculum she and her kids would both love says she'd given up hope before finding it; another calls it the one math curriculum she'd pick if she could only pick one. The comic-style guide books teach concepts in a way kids genuinely enjoy reading, while the problem books transform those concepts into puzzles that look nothing like traditional worksheets — reviewers say this builds long-term math skills, abstract reasoning, and the ability to apply math no matter how a problem is dressed up. Several also praise how independently kids can work through it, helped by an online component with lectures and games, and one likes that it uses levels rather than grade labels.
The caveats are about fit rather than quality. Beast Academy has a reputation for being really difficult, and two reviewers who keep it as a supplement describe it as math for kids who excel at or naturally gravitate toward the subject. Within one family it split the siblings: the son thrived on the puzzle approach while the daughter preferred Singapore's straightforward style. And because it's mastery-based — once a topic is done it doesn't circle back — multiple families deliberately pair it with a spiral program like Math with Confidence for review, or recommend starting gentler and moving into Beast Academy once a child is comfortable. For puzzle-loving kids, though, reviewers describe it as the rare program that is fun and academically demanding at the same time.
Synthesized from 10 independent video reviews — every claim sourced from what real homeschool parents said on camera.
Families with kids who enjoy logic puzzles, comics, and a challenge — especially children who gravitate toward math and can work fairly independently.
Kids who prefer straightforward, traditional math presentation or who are brand new to a concept may do better starting with a gentler spiral program first.
Favorite Homeschooling Curriculum | Secular Homeschoolers Collaboration Please check out Shanna’s channel @MakingEverydayMagic for a complete list of videos
Real- Life Secular Homeschool Day | Lessons, Curriculum Review, and Socializing Join us for a day in our homeschooling life! From hands-on learning and outdoor adventures to cozy reading time and rock climbing fun, I’m sharing how we make learning an everyday adventure. In this video, you’ll get a peek into our routine, the curriculums we love, and the ways we bring lessons to life. ✨ Highlights: * Morning lessons * A walk through of some of my favorite curriculums * Hands-on learning with real-life applications School Curriculum List: 1st grade Reading and Writing Logic of English Foundations (level C&D) https://store.logicofenglish.com/coll... Writing: Handwriting without Tears https://amzn.to/3TvUwih Mathematics Math with Confidence- https://amzn.to/4gjkxuK Supplementing with Beast Academy for an extra challenge https://beastacademy.com/books/level-1 Science Real Science Odyssey- Life Science https://www.pandiapress.com/product/r... Social Studies Core Knowledge History & Geography 1st Grade https://www.coreknowledge.org/history... Art Soul Sparklettes Art https://soul-sparklettes-art-llc.mykajabi.com/a/2147908355/cAaDFLm4 Music shorturl.at/FIHOS If you love family adventures and real homeschooling moments, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to join us on this journey! 🌟 #homeschooling #dayinmylife #dayinthelife #homeschoolroutine #momvlog #momlife
3rd grade Homeschool Haul (2025-2026) Welcome to Thinking Table Homeschool ✨ Take a peek at our 3rd grade curriculum picks for the 2025–2026 school year! We prioritize depth, creativity, and curiosity—blending advanced concepts with hands-on learning to create a rich academic experience at home. From logic to literature, every subject is handpicked to challenge and inspire. 🎓 Homeschooling allows us to break free from grade-level limits—because true learning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Subscribe and join us as we build a home where learning never stops. #homeschool #3rdgradecurriculum #thinkingtablehomeschool #giftedhomeschool #academicathome #homeschoolplanning #beastacademy #mctlanguagearts
How Did Our First 8 Weeks Go? | First Quarter Update 2025 | Secular Homeschool Curriculum Reviews Hi, All! Today, I wanted to share how our first quarter of school went, a quick look at some of my 1st and 4th graders' curricula, and a few things we've changed. I hope you find this helpful! Videos: Additional Science options: https://youtu.be/XLhnn4hySak SOTW vs HQ: https://youtu.be/6c8VaIsajiY Links: Beast Academy: https://beastacademy.com/ Singapore Primary 2022: https://www.rainbowresource.com/primary-math-2022-edition-grades-k-6 Writing with Ease: https://welltrainedmind.com/p/the-complete-writer-writing-with-ease-instructor-text/ Writing Strands (only the edition with the bird cages on the front cover are secular. The Masterbooks and My Father's World versions have been modified, and are not secular): https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/writing-strands-level-3-a-complete-writing-program-using-a-process-approach-to-writing-and-composition-assuring-continuity-and-control-writing-strands-ser-writing-strands-ser_dave-marks/293940/#isbn=1888344105 First Language Lessons: https://welltrainedmind.com/c/series/first-language-lessons/ Grammar Bugs: https://rootedinlanguage.com/products/grammar-bugs All About Spelling: https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling/ Fishtank ELA: https://www.fishtanklearning.org/curriculum/ela/ Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding: https://www.pressforlearning.com/ Teach Engineering: https://www.teachengineering.org/ Story of the World: https://welltrainedmind.com/c/series/the-story-of-the-world/ History Quest: https://www.pandiapress.com/product/history-quest-united-states/ Time-Traveling Tonya podcast: https://www.gokidgo.com/timetravelingtonya Mysteries About True Histories: https://www.starglowmedia.com/mysteries-about-true-histories The Past and the Curious: https://thepastandthecurious.com/ The Who Was Podcast: https://www.whowasbookseries.com/entertainment/ Forever Ago: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forever-ago/id1440083927 Artistic Pursuits: https://artisticpursuits.com/ Chinese Language Institute: https://studycli.org/ Flip Flop Spanish: https://www.flipflopspanish.com/collections/frontpage Play and Learn Spanish: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/play-and-learn-spanish-book--audio-cd-play-and-learn-language_ana-lomba_marcela-summerville/408570/#isbn=0071441484 Salsa TV show: https://www.pbs.org/show/salsa/ We Rock! Music Lab: https://bookshop.org/a/112156/9781592539215 Wildwood Folk song rotation: https://wildwoodcurriculum.com/family-studies/song-rotation/ Penrose the Mathematical Cat: https://bookshop.org/a/112156/9781884550140 Tiny Worlds of the Appalachian Mountains: https://bookshop.org/a/112156/9781680516357 Affiliate Links: Bookshop store: https://bookshop.org/shop/violet_eclectichomeschoolshelf Thriftbooks ($5 off $30): https://www.thriftbooks.com/share/?code=QtyJWo6y4S0F%252fmYdnbITAA%253d%253d ***I am an affiliate with Bookshop and Amazon. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.*** #afflink Music credit: https://pixabay.com/music/happy-childrens-tunes-happy-acoustic-guitar-background-music-122614/
2025 Lower Elementary Secular Homeschool Curriculum Recap | Walkthrough & Review In this video, I’m recapping our current second grade curriculums for our secular homeschooling family. I share reasons why we love it, why it works well, and I give you a sneak peek into all of them! Whether you’re new to homeschooling or searching for fresh secular options, this homeschool recap should help you in choosing a curriculum that may work for your lower elementary student I have a substack post with a huge curriculum roundup- https://open.substack.com/pub/celenak... 📚CURRICULUMS: Some of these links are affiliate links so I do get a small commission when you click on them Spelling: All About Spelling- https://www.allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=2959 Reading: Brave Writer Darts https://bravewriter.refr.cc/brave-writer/u/celenak?s=sp&t=cp Writing: Handwriting without tears cursive- https://amzn.to/3UN8s7E Writing print- https://tinyurl.com/35vbct29 Grammar: MCT Island Level- https://www.rfwp.com/mct-language-arts/seven-levels/level-1-the-island-level/ Math: Beast Academy- https://beastacademy.com/ Math with confidence second grade- https://amzn.to/48NRn43 Science: Real Science Odyssey- pandiapress.com/products/real-science-odyssey-astronomy-1?ref=Celena D Kinsey (I am doing Astronomy) Social Studies: Core Knowledge (FREE) - https://www.coreknowledge.org/download-free-curriculum/ Storylark- https://storylarkroad.com/?ref=CELENAKINSEY Art: Soul Sparklettes- https://soul-sparklettes-art-llc.mykajabi.com/a/2148144642/cAaDFLm4 Music: Stageworthy by Widy- https://tinyurl.com/2p9nr5bh Health https://tinyurl.com/33r6vdyu ✅ Subscribe for more secular homeschool tips, curriculum reviews, and day in the life videos! Follow Me: Instagram - www.instagram.com/celenakinsey Tiktok - www.tiktok.com/@casakinsey Substack - https://substack.com/@celenakinsey #homeschooling #homeschool #homeschoolcurriculum #secularhomeschool #curriculum
Mid-Year Homeschool Update | 1st & 4th Grade | Secular Homeschool Curriculum Resources and Reviews Hi, All! Today, I wanted to share how the first half of our school year went, a quick look at some of my 1st and 4th graders' curricula, and a few things we've changed. I hope you find this helpful! Videos: SOTW vs HQ: https://youtu.be/6c8VaIsajiY Binder Video: https://youtu.be/G6638ORQBPE Additional Science options: https://youtu.be/XLhnn4hySak Links: Beast Academy: https://beastacademy.com/ Singapore Primary 2022: https://www.rainbowresource.com/primary-math-2022-edition-grades-k-6 Writing with Ease: https://welltrainedmind.com/p/the-complete-writer-writing-with-ease-instructor-text/ Writing Strands (only the edition with the bird cages on the front cover are secular. The Masterbooks and My Father's World versions have been modified, and are not secular): https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/writing-strands-level-3-a-complete-writing-program-using-a-process-approach-to-writing-and-composition-assuring-continuity-and-control-writing-strands-ser-writing-strands-ser_dave-marks/293940/#isbn=1888344105 First Language Lessons: https://welltrainedmind.com/c/series/first-language-lessons/ Grammar Bugs: https://rootedinlanguage.com/products/grammar-bugs All About Spelling: https://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling/ Language Through Literacy: https://sites.google.com/view/literacythroughlanguage/home Fishtank ELA: https://www.fishtanklearning.org/curriculum/ela/ Zaner-Bloser Handwriting: https://shop.zaner-bloser.com/collections/zaner-bloser-handwriting Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding: https://www.pressforlearning.com/ Teach Engineering: https://www.teachengineering.org/ Story of the World: https://welltrainedmind.com/c/series/the-story-of-the-world/ History Quest: https://www.pandiapress.com/product/history-quest-united-states/ Time-Traveling Tonya podcast: https://www.gokidgo.com/timetravelingtonya Mysteries About True Histories: https://www.starglowmedia.com/mysteries-about-true-histories Harlem Time Trotters podcast: https://www.theharlemtimetrotters.com/ Artistic Pursuits: https://artisticpursuits.com/ Chinese Language Institute: https://studycli.org/ Whistlefritz French: https://www.whistlefritz.com/french-programs/ Language Together: https://languagetogether.com/collections/french-for-kids Flip Flop Spanish: https://www.flipflopspanish.com/collections/frontpage Salsa TV show: https://www.pbs.org/show/salsa/ Penrose the Mathematical Cat: https://bookshop.org/a/112156/9781884550140 Big Life Journal: https://biglifejournal.com/collections/journals/products/big-life-journal-kids-second-edition Tiny Worlds of the Appalachian Mountains: https://bookshop.org/a/112156/9781680516357 We Rock! Music Lab: https://bookshop.org/a/112156/9781592539215 Kids Health: https://kidshealth.org/classroom/ Poetry: https://bookshop.org/a/112156/9781536217186 Affiliate Links: Bookshop store: https://bookshop.org/shop/violet_eclectichomeschoolshelf Thriftbooks ($5 off $30): https://www.thriftbooks.com/share/?code=QtyJWo6y4S0F%252fmYdnbITAA%253d%253d ***I am an affiliate with Bookshop and Amazon. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.*** #afflink Music credit: https://pixabay.com/music/happy-childrens-tunes-happy-acoustic-guitar-background-music-122614/
Math U See Honest Review || Pros & Cons || Homeschool Grade 1 - 6 After over year of using Math U See, I share my honest review about this curriculum for my grade 1 and 5 students. We have used Alpha, Beta, Epsilon and Zeta. Thanks for watching! To reach out to me, either comment below or send me an email: bliss.in.the.little.things@gmail.com
Thoughts of a Secular Homeschooling Mom: Curriculum review, preschool, balancing motherhood If you’ve ever wondered what a day in the life of a secular homeschooling mom who also works from home looks like, welcome! From hands on learning and fun, to sharing how I try and balance motherhood and making time for hobbies this vlog gives you an honest peak in a non aesthetic real life family. ✨ Highlights ✨ - second grade lessons - preschool activities - curriculum review and thoughts - marriage life Follow on IG for daily videos! https://www.instagram.com/celenakinsey?igsh=MWx1bWx0a3p0MW9kbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 📚CURRICULUMS for second grade Some of these links are affiliate links so I do get a small commission when you click on them Spelling: All About Spelling- https://www.allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=2959 Reading: Brave Writer Darts (this link gives you $10 off!)- https://bravewriter.refr.cc/brave-writer/u/celenak?s=sp&t=cp (We are doing Ra The Mighty: Cat Detective- you can get the book from amazon https://amzn.to/45zfpQ2 Writing: Handwriting without tears cursive- https://amzn.to/3UN8s7E Writing print- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2nd-Grade-Opinion-Narrative-and-Informative-Writing-Curriculum-with-Prompts-7798694 I also have Write by Number- https://writebynumber.com/ but it’s much more technical so I recommend the print one from TPT Grammar: MCT Island Level- https://www.rfwp.com/mct-language-arts/seven-levels/level-1-the-island-level/ Math: Beast Academy- https://beastacademy.com/ Science: Real Science Odyssey- https://www.pandiapress.com/real-science-odyssey/ref/203/#rso-level1 (I am doing Astronomy and potentially Earth Science this year) Social Studies: Core Knowledge (FREE) - https://www.coreknowledge.org/download-free-curriculum/ Art: Soul Sparklettes- https://soul-sparklettes-art-llc.mykajabi.com/a/2148144642/cAaDFLm4 Music: Stageworthy by Widy- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/stageworthy-by-widy-performing-arts-education Health: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2nd-Grade-Health-Curriculum-Full-Year-Health-Curriculum-for-Print-and-Online-13098256 If you love family activities, homeschooling and just real life moments don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe to join in on this journey! #homeschooling #preschool #dayinmylife #motherhood #secularhomeschool
Best Secular Homeschool Curriculum for 2025 | My Top Picks & Favorites! Looking for the best secular homeschool curriculum in 2025? Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh your homeschool routine, this video is your go-to guide for evidence-based, inclusive, and religion-neutral curriculum options for every subject! As a secular homeschool mom of two, I’ve personally used many of these programs and I’m excited to share my top picks—plus why they work so well for our family. 📌 Related Videos & Blog Posts: ✨ How to Start Homeschooling: https://www.littlebluehousehomeschool.com/blog/how-to-start-homeschooling 💬 Drop your favorite secular curriculum in the comments – I’d love to hear what’s working in your homeschool! 🖥 Subscribe for new videos every Thursday! 🔔 Hit the bell so you don’t miss future homeschool tips, routines, and curriculum reviews! #SecularHomeschool #HomeschoolCurriculum #SecularCurriculum #Homeschool2025 #HomeschoolPlanning #HomeschoolMom #InclusiveEducation #BlossomAndRoot #TorchlightCurriculum #HomeschoolLife
4 Homeschool Math Curriculum Reviews Plus a Sneak Peak || What Worked & What Didn’t It’s homeschool curriculum research time (for next fall) and in this video, I review all the Math Curriculum we have used in our homeschool: highlighting what we liked and what we didn’t. Below are links to a more thorough review of some of the curriculum, as well as time stamps if you want to jump ahead to a specific curriculum! 0:00 Intro 2:54 Types of Math Curriculum 3:59 Primary Mathematics (Singapore Math) 12:07 Primary Mathematics Flip Thru 14:13 Beauty and Truth Math 22:05 Beauty and Truth Flip Thru 24:18 Math U See 29:43 Math U See Flip Thru 32:27 Beast Academy (Suppliment) 33:32 Beast Academy Puzzles Flip Thru Singapore Math Video: https://youtu.be/VyT_HpCrebw?si=Up5XzdiMzNuNssn0 Beauty and Truth Video: https://youtu.be/uqPt2TSdvTE?si=qRZfxpKLqRTTOXFf Math U See Video: https://youtu.be/CsNE1T8xMr8?si=w89zUvdXbIBy_-rC To reach out to me, either comment below, or send me an email: bliss.in.the.little.things@gmail.com
“if I could pick one math curriculum that I think is amazing It is super child friendly but it's also very very challenging and logic based and it's going to teach kids really long-term math skills and math application I would pick Beast Academy”
“i have searched far and wide for a very long time for a math curriculum that i loved and that my children would love i had given up hope i didn't think it would happen but i found it”
“they actually give the kids comics and in the comics it's teaching the kids the concepts in a really fun interactive way and then after that it will give them tons of practice”
“I was a little bit nervous about this transition because Beast Academy has a reputation of being really difficult”
“Beast Academy is more of a mastery based curriculum So once you kind of hit on something it doesn't go back”
“It's a math for those students who excel in math who just gravitate towards it naturally and you want to help them go a little deeper”
Reviews tell you what worked for someone else's kid. A 5-minute profile tells you what's likely to work for yours — matched across 1,307 programs, free, no signup needed to see your top picks.
It has a reputation for being really difficult, and reviewers agree it's challenging and logic-heavy by design. But families using it describe kids handling it well — one son transitioned from Singapore into level 3A and did really well even with the geometry chapter people warned about. Reviewers who keep it as a supplement say it's best suited to kids who excel at or naturally gravitate toward math, and note you don't have to push through it quickly.
Each level has a graphic-novel-style guide book where the comics teach the concepts in a fun, interactive way, paired with a practice or problem book. The problem books are less colorful and look very different from traditional math — lots of puzzles (like sum grids and shape-finding puzzles) that make kids apply concepts in multiple ways rather than repeating identical problems.
Mastery-based: once a topic is covered intensively, the program moves on rather than circling back. Several reviewers handle this by pairing it with a spiral program — Math with Confidence comes up repeatedly — to review and keep earlier skills fresh before moving up a Beast Academy level.
Two reviewers specifically praise its independence. One mom says her son reads the guide book, does the problems, and mostly figures things out on his own; another says it's presented so kids can do their work independently, which she calls huge for her household. There's also an online component with lectures and games if you want a more hands-off option.
It uses levels rather than grades, which one reviewer loves — her kids aren't boxed in by a grade label and can just work where they're working. In practice families map it roughly to grade: one son moved from Singapore 2B into Beast Academy 3A, and another family finished level one in first grade before moving toward level two.
Reviewers lean toward easing in. One recommends starting with Math with Confidence when a kid is brand new to math and moving to Beast Academy as they get more comfortable; two others use Beast Academy as a supplement alongside their core program (Math-U-See or Singapore) to add puzzles, harder word problems, and deeper thinking.
Both exist and reviewers use them in combination. There's an online option, a printed option, or both together — the online side includes lectures and games that supplement the books, which one reviewer says makes it a good pick if you need a more hands-off setup or are teaching multiple students.