Practical Math Courses for High School from Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science
I still can’t believe I will be graduating my last child from homeschooling this year! I have been homeschooling since 2006 and will have graduated all three of my kids from homeschooling. One of the things I noticed while homeschooling was the lack of need for some of the higher math courses I completed in high school. Things like Calculus. Unless your child is going into a specific field in which you know they will need the more rigorous upper level math courses, I highly recommend sticking to more practical math courses for high school.
{I received free access to Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science courses, and was compensated for my time in writing this review. All views are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. Please see my full Disclosure Policy for more details.}
When my oldest progressed through high school math, she struggled a bit with Algebra but we pushed through and she ended up with a solid base in Algebra. When it was time for her to start Pre-Calculus she pushed back a little with me, taking the stance that she wouldn’t need it for the career path she was on (early childhood education). I had her start it, but ultimately we veered off to more practical, real life applications of math. Needles to say, she was right. She graduated from college easily without the need of those higher level math courses.
Armed with what I had learned from my first child, I was more prepared to handle that question with my second. He was going to pursue a career in the IT field as a Network Admin, or at least something along those lines. Instead of moving from Algebra and Geometry into Pre-Calculus, we moved right in to the college math courses he was going to need for his degree. Two birds, one stone. He earned high school math credit and college math credit.
My youngest has chosen not to attend college at this point, opting instead for a trade school path in Equine Saddle Fitting. Therefore instead of upper level math courses we have chosen a more real life, practical approach to math over the last two years.
Practical Math Courses for High School from Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science
Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science offers two practical math courses for students in grades 8-12: Life Prep Consumer Math and Life Prep Geometry. Both courses are offered online as full year (2 semester), self-paced courses taught by Professor Greg Landry himself.
Life Prep Consumer Math
For years I have heard people say (both homeschooled and not) that kids need to be taught the practical applications of math in their daily lives, instead of something like Calculus which most never use.
Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science Life Prep Consumer Math does just that. As you can see below everything from basic food budgeting, banking, house and auto are all covered in this course.
Topics Covered In Life Prep Consumer Math
Part One: Introduction to Consumer Math & how to Learn; Metric System & Measurement
Part Two: Common Measurements; House Square Footage & Cost per Area; Your Compensation as an Employee
Part Three: Deductions & Savings; Budgeting; Banking; Saving Money
Part Four: Saving Money (Part Two); Credits; Credit Cards
Part Five: Owning a Car; Mileage; Food Budgeting; Clothing
Part Six: Housing; Housing Expenses; Life Insurance; Health Insurance
Part Seven: Income Tax; Vacation; Buying Land; Review
Life Prep Geometry
Geometry is one of the most important branches of mathematics as it is implemented in our day-to-day life. We see it in Nature (different geometrical shapes and patterns in leaves, flowers, stems, bark, and so on), Art (art requires the knowledge of different shapes and figures, 2D and 3D shapes, patterns, and measurements), Architecture (Constructions of buildings and monuments are based on geometry. If you ever look closely at any building and monument, you will find different angles, lines, and shapes.), and Technology (Both computers and video games require geometry daily as the designing and calculations are essential for them to function properly. .
We use geometry and geometric shapes every day to either create something new or use our basic elements like books, pencils, laptops, and more. Therefore giving your kids a basis in geometry can be one way of giving them practical knowledge they may use in everyday life.
Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science Life Prep Geometry is the perfect course to give your kids a foundation in geometry.
Topics Covered in Life Prep Geometry:
Part One: Introduction to Geometry & How to Learn; Metric System & Measurement; Symbols & Postulates
Part Two: Circles & Polygons; Polyhedrons & Circles; Lines & Coordinates; Triangles
Part Three: Triangle Centers; Quadrilaterals; Area
Part Four: Pythagorean Theorem; Regular Polygons: Circles
Part Five: Circles; Arcs; Tangent Angles
Part Six: Three Dimensional Figures; Reflections; Global Positioning
Part Seven: Circles & proportions; Measuring an Arc; Review
Why Use Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science for Practical Math?
1. Well Organized and Easy to Use
I have said it before and I will definitely say it again, the number one thing I love about Greg Landry’s courses are how thorough and organized they are! Greg does a great job of structuring courses to make them easy to implement and follow. You have the online class lecture time paired with the pdf study guide. These two things go hand in hand to make learning, studying, and referencing easy to do!
2. Establishing Good Notetaking and Study Habits
The beginning of each of his courses begins with a section on notetaking, study, and test taking habits. These skills are so important as our kids move through middle school and into high school. Greg makes this a focus of his courses, reinforcing good notetaking and study habits.
3. Access to Greg Landry Himself
This means access to an actual human being, the teacher! This is something that can often lack when it comes to homeschool curriculum options.
I can’t say enough about how responsive and helpful Greg is! His e-mail is right on the website and he encourages you to contact him if you have questions.
Self-Paced Online Classes with Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science
8th -12th Grade Two Semester (Full School Year) Classes
These are 1 credit high school science classes that include 24 recorded class sessions (average 20-30 minutes each), and a PDF study guide. While lab activities are not required, it is suggested that families also subscribe to the virtual online laboratory.
- Life Prep Consumer Math
- Life Prep Geometry
- Standard High School Biology
- Standard High School Chemistry
- Standard High School Conceptual Physics (only basic math)
- Standard High School Anatomy & Physiology
7th -12th Grade Half Semester Classes
These are .5 credit high school science courses that include 6 recorded class sessions (average 20-30 minutes each), and a PDF study guide.
- Exercise & Sports Physiology
- Biochemistry / Microbiology
- Embryology / Endocrinology / Genetics
- Earth & Space Science
- Study Skills / Measurement / Lab Reports / Graphing
4th – 7th Grade One Semester Classes
These are one semester science classes for grades 4-7 and include 12 recorded class sessions (average 20-30 minutes each), and a PDF study guide.
- Young Scientist Anatomy & Physiology
- Young Scientist Biology
- Young Scientist Chemistry
- Young Scientist Physics
- Young Scientist Earth & Space Science
Science Freebies for Homeschool Moms
Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science offers some cool science freebies like:
- “Muscles” student science infographic lesson and printable worksheet with audio, and.. your palmaris longus? (immediate access)
- Earth Science student science infographic lesson and printable worksheet with audio (immediate access).
- A cool ancestry wheel for your children to fill-in. Students love this and it leads to lots of educational activity that they love – with accompanying audio (immediate access).
- COVID-19 / viruses student science infographic lesson and printable worksheet with accompanying audio (immediate access).
In addition to the freebies mentioned above, Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science is also mailing out Free “HOMESCHOOL MOM STRONG” magnets or stickers.
And be sure to check out the Homeschool Moms Science Podcast which includes topics like:
- Learning How to Learn
- Online Classes Benefits
- Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion
- The Lab Report Concept
- Math! for “Non-Math” Students
- and more!
More from Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science
My youngest daughter, who is graduating this year, and I have had the opportunity to utilize multiple classes from Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science (also known as College Prep Science.) Be sure to check out all of those reviews:
