Enjoy and Algebra were oxymorons when I was in school. A good math tutor, a handful of somewhat patient math teachers, and luck got me through those years. Thankfully, my sixth grader and math have a different relationship. He doesn’t love math, but he understands it, and most days he’s motivated to learn. With Algebra on the horizon, I want to make sure he has his best shot at learning math and maybe, hopefully, enjoying it! But to be honest, helping my son understand and enjoy middle school math- it is a little daunting. Enter Mr. D Math.

 

Disclosure- Links in this post may be affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Unless noted, if I am reviewing a product, I have been compensated for my time. I write honest reviews. They are not required to be positive. I only recommend the resources we love and use.

I received access to Mr.D’s Math courses, as well as compensation, in return for my honest review.  As always, my opinions are my own, and I only share products I love.

Mr. D Math is lead by a seasoned and certified math teacher, Mr. D, who offers a variety of classes aimed at helping students learn middle and high school math.

Mr. D teaches his students that math is a language. Students examine the meaning behind words like operation, add, subtract, multiply, and divide. This foundation feels crucial. While students might be able to go through the motions of early math, once they begin to explore advanced math, a true understanding of why they are doing what they are doing is important.

That, I realize, is what I was missing as a student. Mathematical concepts didn’t make sense because I didn’t speak the language.

Why Choose Mr. D Math

With Mr. D Math, students get the best of both worlds- a live teacher and an online curriculum.

In a virtual classroom (and in person if you live in Florida), Mr. D offers live video sessions, recorded videos, online quizzes and tests, and printable practice sheets.

I appreciate the mix of live and recorded teaching. While my son is doing well with the math program he’s currently using, to keep him progressing, he’s going to need someone who is fluent in math. At the same time, being able to work at his own pace and watch/rewatch videos will keep him motivated. Mr. D Math gives students the individualized approach to education we seek as homeschoolers and a classroom experience.

What Classes Does Mr. D Math Offer

Another piece that’s a draw for me- consistency! Students can take Mr. D’s classes throughout middle and high school.

Mr. D offers a variety of upper-level math classes including:

• Pre-Algebra
• Algebra I
• Geometry
• Algebra II
• Pre-Calculus with Trigonometry

He also offers Summer Programs, and a 6-week SAT Math Bootcamp. 

Inside a Mr. D Middle School Math Class

Once enrolled, students and parents have access to an online classroom. Inside are the lessons for their course and a newsfeed where students can post questions.

Each course is broken into chapters.

Chapter Outline for Pre-Algebra-

1. The Tools and Language of Algebra
2. Operations with Integers and the Real Number System
3. Solving Equations
4. Number Theory – Factors and Fractions
5. Number Theory – Place Value and Decimals
6. Ratio, Proportion, and Percent

Semester I exam

7. Inequalities
8. Graphing Linear Equations
9. Introduction to Functions and Relations
10. Radical Expressions, Roots and Exponential Models
11. Polynomials and Nonlinear Functions
12. Statistics and Probability

Semester II exam

And, each chapter is broken into a series of sections. Chapter one of the Pre-Algebra class, The Tools and Language of Algebra, for example, is broken into eight sections. Every section contains a video, coursework work, answers to the coursework, student notes, and an online quiz.

Once the student completes the sections and quizzes, they take an online test. Online quizzes and tests are graded immediately, and students can retake them up to seven times.

Live weekly classes with Mr. D and other students also help students work through the course material. If students need additional help, Mr. D offers weekly live tutorial sessions.

Inside Mr. D’s Live Middle School Math Classroom

While the live classroom experience is an optional piece to Mr. D’s curriculum, it is something I’d strongly consider. The consistency of one teacher and face to face time for an entire school year set Mr. D Math apart from other online curriculums I’ve found.

Mr. D offers several class times for his live classes. We chose a morning class. An hour or so before we were set to begin, I received an email reminder with a link to the classroom.

When my son, Clark, entered Mr. D’s virtual classroom he was immediately welcomed and encouraged to participate. Mr. D’s teaching style was engaging. It felt like a safe place to learn, ask questions, and make mistakes. Mr. D cracked jokes, laughed, and encouraged his students through the classroom’s chat box. He and his students clearly had a rapport. He showed his students how to work through the concepts they were learning in a variety of ways. He also encouraged note taking, answered questions, used pictures and stories to help his students remember the steps they’d need to take, and he made sure each student was ready to move on before he did.

Mr. D’s live classes and the many resources (video and print) his curriculum utilize give students a variety of ways to learn the language of math. If you’re looking for online middle or high school math classes that offer a traditional approach to learning math with the additional support of live classes, videos, and engaging lessons, enlist the help of Mr. D.  I bet Enjoy and Algebra will be two words you hear together.