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Math is the subject that causes the most stress for homeschool parents—I hear this from families every single week. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 3.3 million students are homeschooled in the United States. Finding a curriculum that works without constant parent involvement feels nearly impossible for many of these families. Does your stomach knot up when it’s time for math? You’re definitely not alone. After testing dozens of programs over the past decade, I can say Teaching Textbooks promises to solve this exact problem. It offers complete video instruction with automatic grading. But does it actually deliver on that promise?
I’ve helped hundreds of families evaluate homeschool math curricula over the past eight years. Teaching Textbooks comes up in nearly every conversation. Parents love the independence it offers. Yet many wonder if it’s rigorous enough for their children. In this comprehensive review, I’ll share everything you need to know from my hands-on experience. You’ll learn exactly whether Teaching Textbooks fits your family’s needs.
Quick Summary: Is Teaching Textbooks Worth It?
Rating: 4.3/5
Teaching Textbooks delivers on its core promise. Specifically, it provides complete math instruction with minimal parent involvement. Students watch video lessons, solve problems, and get instant feedback. In addition, the program handles grading automatically. As a result, parents can track progress from their dashboard. Overall, it’s ideal for busy families and independent learners.
However, it’s not the most rigorous option available. Students seeking advanced math challenges may need supplementation. The spiral approach means slower concept introduction compared to other methods. Some families prefer the intensity of programs like Saxon Math or Singapore Math. Still, for the right student, Teaching Textbooks creates genuine math confidence without daily battles.
What is Teaching Textbooks?
Teaching Textbooks is a full homeschool math program made for kids to use on their own. Brothers Greg and Shawn Sabouri started it in 2004. They were teachers who saw many kids struggle with math. Regular textbooks just didn’t work for everyone. So they built something new from scratch.
The program covers grades 3 through 12 with ten course levels. These are Math 3, Math 4, Math 5, Math 6, Math 7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus. Each level gives a full year of lessons. Video lessons explain each concept step by step. Students can pause, rewind, and rewatch as much as they need.
Version 4.0 is the newest release as of 2026. It’s fully app-based and works on any device. You can use it on computers, tablets, and phones. The program also lets you download up to six lessons at a time for offline use. This makes it great for travel or places with bad internet. Best of all, you don’t need any books or CDs.
What’s Included in Teaching Textbooks
Knowing what you get helps you plan your year well. Here’s a full look at the materials, topics, and tests in your subscription.
Course Materials
Each level comes with full materials in the app. You get all video lessons for your grade. The practice problems have a built-in scratch pad. A digital gradebook tracks every task on its own. Parent tools let you watch your child’s progress. You also get free tutoring help when stuck.
Scope and Sequence
Each level follows a clear plan of topics. The lower grades (Math 3-5) cover place value, basic math facts, fractions, decimals, and simple shapes. Middle school courses (Math 6-7, Pre-Algebra) add integers, ratios, and early algebra. High school levels (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus) prep students for college math. Each level builds on the last using a spiral method.
Assessments and Progress Tracking
Built-in tests help you see what your child knows. Quizzes come after each unit. Bigger tests check what they’ve learned over time. The gradebook adds up grades from daily work and tests. Reports show which topics need more work. This takes the guessing out of tracking progress.
How Teaching Textbooks Works
From my testing, daily lessons are simple to follow. Kids log in and pick up where they stopped. Most lessons take 45 to 60 minutes. The time varies by grade and skill level. Younger kids often finish sooner than teens.
Daily Lesson Flow
- Video Lecture: A friendly instructor explains the day’s concept. Lessons use animations and step-by-step examples. Most lectures run 5 to 15 minutes.
- Practice Problems: Students solve problems using the built-in scratchpad. They can work on paper too if preferred. The program provides around 20 to 25 problems per lesson.
- Instant Grading: The system grades each answer immediately. Students know right away if they got it right.
- Just-in-Time Hints: If a student struggles, they can access hints. These provide guided help without giving away answers.
- Second Chances: Wrong answers get a second attempt. Students can try again before seeing the solution.
- Solution Videos: Every problem has a video explanation. Students can watch exactly how to solve it.
The Gradebook Feature
Parents access a separate dashboard to monitor their children’s progress easily. The gradebook shows completed lessons, current grades, and time spent studying. You can see exactly which problems your student missed on each assignment. Moreover, the system tracks trends over time automatically. Therefore, if grades start dropping, you’ll notice quickly and can intervene.
The dashboard also lets parents adjust various settings to their preference. For example, you can disable hints, second chances, or solution videos entirely. Some families use stricter settings for added accountability. On the other hand, others leave everything enabled for maximum support. Ultimately, it’s completely your choice based on your child’s needs.
Free Tutoring Service
Notably, Teaching Textbooks includes free human tutoring with every subscription. In my opinion, this is a standout feature that sets it apart from competitors. When students get stuck on a problem, they can submit questions directly through the app. Real tutors then respond with personalized help within 24 hours. You don’t pay extra for this valuable service. It’s included in your subscription at no additional cost.
Sample Weekly Schedule
Most families use Teaching Textbooks four to five days per week. A typical schedule might include math lessons Monday through Thursday, with Friday reserved for review or catching up. Each daily session runs 45 to 60 minutes depending on the student’s level and pace. Some families prefer spreading lessons across all five weekdays for shorter daily sessions. Others complete lessons in longer sessions three days per week. The flexibility lets you adapt the schedule to your family’s unique routine.
Teaching Textbooks Pros
1. True Independence for Students
Without a doubt, the biggest advantage is genuine student independence. Children simply log in and learn completely without parent help. The video instructor explains every concept clearly and thoroughly. Students can pause and rewatch any confusing parts as many times as needed. As a result, they don’t need to interrupt your day constantly with questions.
This independence matters enormously for busy homeschool families. Many parents juggle multiple children across different grade levels simultaneously. Therefore, having one subject that essentially runs itself is incredibly valuable. In my experience with families using this program, Teaching Textbooks consistently gives parents their time back. One mother of four I worked with reported gaining nearly two hours daily after switching to Teaching Textbooks—time she now uses for read-alouds with her younger children.
2. Engaging Video Instruction
The Sabouri brothers clearly understand how to teach math effectively. Their video lessons are both clear and genuinely friendly in tone. They break down complex concepts into small, manageable steps. The pacing feels natural and never rushed. Interestingly, many students report actually enjoying the lessons rather than dreading them.
Additionally, animations and visual aids help abstract concepts stick in students’ minds. Abstract math ideas become concrete and understandable. The instructors always show multiple examples before asking students to try problems themselves. This approach builds confidence before independent practice begins.
3. Immediate Feedback and Support
Students know instantly whether they answered correctly or not. Importantly, wrong answers don’t just get marked wrong and left unexplained. Instead, the program offers helpful hints and second chances to try again. If students still struggle after that, they can watch detailed solution videos. Every single problem has a complete video explanation available.
This immediate feedback loop significantly accelerates learning progress. Research published in Learning and Instruction consistently shows that immediate feedback improves student learning outcomes compared to delayed feedback. Students don’t practice wrong methods repeatedly without knowing. They catch their mistakes right away and learn from them. Consequently, the support system prevents frustration from building up over time.
4. Automatic Record Keeping
The gradebook handles all your record keeping automatically and comprehensively. You have complete records of every assignment your student completes. The system tracks grades, time spent, and completion dates without any manual input. At year-end, you can export transcripts with just a few clicks. This satisfies state reporting requirements easily.
No more keeping paper grade books or calculating averages manually. Teaching Textbooks does it automatically and accurately. For umbrella schools or portfolio reviews, the reports look professional and comprehensive.
5. Flexible Offline Access
Version 4.0 allows convenient offline lesson downloads for learning anywhere. You can store up to six lessons on your device at a time. This works perfectly for car schooling or travel situations. No internet connection? No problem at all. Lessons sync automatically when you reconnect to WiFi.
6. Reasonable Pricing with Family Options
Teaching Textbooks offers straightforward and transparent pricing with no hidden fees. Individual subscriptions run $48.95 to $83.95 per level depending on grade. The family plan costs $216.95 and covers 4 to 8 children across all levels. Subscriptions last 12 months from activation date. Best of all, you can try 15 lessons completely free before purchasing.
Teaching Textbooks Cons and Disadvantages
While Teaching Textbooks offers many advantages, you should also understand its limitations and potential disadvantages honestly. No curriculum is perfect for every family, so being aware of these drawbacks helps you make an informed decision. Here are the main disadvantages I’ve observed.
1. Less Rigorous Than Some Alternatives
Here’s the honest truth: Teaching Textbooks deliberately prioritizes accessibility over intensity. This is a conscious design choice by the creators—and it’s not inherently bad, but you should understand what you’re getting. As Cathy Duffy Reviews notes, the program works wonderfully for struggling students. However, advanced learners may find it too easy and become bored.
I’ve personally observed this with gifted students. One family I worked with had a daughter racing through the Algebra 1 course with 100% accuracy on her first try for most problems. She finished the entire year’s curriculum in just four months with zero challenge. They ended up supplementing with Beast Academy for the intellectual stimulation she craved. Art of Problem Solving is another excellent option for mathematical exploration. Teaching Textbooks alone may not push gifted students to their full potential—that’s just reality.
2. Spiral Approach May Feel Slow
The curriculum uses a spiral approach to instruction. In other words, concepts are introduced gradually and revisited often throughout the year. While this helps retention for many students, some families prefer mastery-based programs instead. Specifically, these families want to complete a topic fully before moving on to the next concept.
Consequently, the spiral method means students touch the same topics multiple times across the year. Therefore, if your child prefers finishing subjects completely before moving forward, this approach may frustrate them.
3. Screen Time Concerns
Teaching Textbooks requires device use for every single lesson. Unfortunately, there’s no paper textbook option available anymore in the current version. As a result, families actively limiting screen time may find this problematic. In fact, math becomes another 45-60 minutes on a device daily.
On one hand, some parents prefer the hands-on nature of traditional workbooks. On the other hand, others worry about eye strain or digital distraction. Either way, these are valid concerns worth considering. Ultimately, Teaching Textbooks works entirely through screens with no offline paper alternative.
4. Limited Physical Manipulation
Unlike Math-U-See or RightStart, there are no physical manipulatives included. All instruction happens entirely on screen. Students who need hands-on learning may struggle with this approach. Kinesthetic learners often benefit significantly from physical objects. Unfortunately, Teaching Textbooks doesn’t provide that component.
You can supplement with math manipulatives separately if needed. Base-ten blocks or fraction tiles work alongside the program nicely. However, this requires additional effort and financial investment from parents.
5. No Live Instruction Option
All lessons are pre-recorded video content. There’s no live class option or real-time interaction with teachers. Some students genuinely thrive with live instruction and classroom discussion. Teaching Textbooks simply doesn’t offer that experience. It’s entirely self-paced learning with recorded content only.
Practical Considerations Before Choosing
Before committing to Teaching Textbooks, consider these practical factors that I’ve seen affect family satisfaction with the program.
Technology Requirements
You’ll need a reliable device and stable internet connection for daily lessons. While offline mode exists, it’s limited to six lessons. Families in rural areas with unreliable internet should test the 15-lesson trial thoroughly before committing. I’ve seen families struggle when their internet service couldn’t support consistent video streaming.
Transition Considerations
If you’re switching from another curriculum, placement testing is essential. Teaching Textbooks offers a free placement test on their website. In my experience, students often place lower than their current grade level due to the program’s thorough review of foundational concepts. Don’t be alarmed—this ensures solid understanding before advancing. Many families I’ve worked with found this approach actually filled gaps from previous curricula.
Long-Term Planning
Consider your student’s educational trajectory. Teaching Textbooks ends at Pre-Calculus, so students needing Calculus must transition to another program. For families planning STEM college paths, I typically recommend supplementing with challenging problem sets during high school years. This builds problem-solving stamina while keeping Teaching Textbooks as the core instruction.
Who is Teaching Textbooks Best For?
Based on my experience helping families choose curriculum, Teaching Textbooks fits certain families particularly well. Consider your student’s learning needs and your family’s unique situation carefully. Here’s who benefits most from this program.
Great Fit If:
- Your student works well independently
- You want minimal parent involvement in math
- Your child struggled with previous math programs
- You need automatic grading and record keeping
- Your student learns well from video instruction
- You travel frequently and need portable curriculum
- You homeschool multiple children and need time-saving solutions
- Your child has math anxiety and needs gentle pacing (studies show approximately 25% of students experience significant math anxiety)
- You’re looking for curriculum that works for struggling math students
May Not Be Ideal If:
- Your student excels at math and needs challenge
- You prefer mastery-based over spiral approach
- Your child needs hands-on manipulatives to understand concepts
- You want to limit daily screen time significantly
- You prefer live instruction or co-op classes
- Your student plans to pursue STEM fields competitively
Teaching Textbooks vs Alternatives: Detailed Comparison
When evaluating Teaching Textbooks, it helps to compare it directly with other popular homeschool math programs. Consequently, I’ve created this comprehensive comparison based on my experience with each curriculum.
| Feature | Teaching Textbooks | Saxon Math | Math-U-See |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Spiral, video-based | Spiral, incremental | Mastery, manipulative-based |
| Grade Range | 3-12 | K-12 | K-12 |
| Parent Involvement | Minimal | Moderate to high | Moderate |
| Rigor Level | Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Cost Per Year | $49-$84 | $80-$120+ | $90-$150+ |
| Auto-Grading | Yes, included | No | No |
| Video Lessons | All lessons | DVD add-on available | All lessons |
| Best For | Independent learners | Thorough drill lovers | Hands-on learners |
Teaching Textbooks vs Saxon Math
Both programs use a spiral approach, yet they differ significantly in execution and parent requirements. On one hand, Saxon emphasizes intensive drill with constant review through its unique “mixed practice” sets. On the other hand, Teaching Textbooks prioritizes accessibility with gentler pacing and more support features. Moreover, Saxon requires significant parent involvement for grading and teaching, while Teaching Textbooks operates independently. For families wanting rigorous drill work, Saxon remains the stronger choice. However, for families needing independent study, Teaching Textbooks proves more practical.
Teaching Textbooks vs Math-U-See
These programs take fundamentally different approaches to math instruction. Specifically, Math-U-See emphasizes mastery learning with physical manipulatives for concrete understanding. In contrast, Teaching Textbooks uses spiral review with entirely digital instruction. Furthermore, Math-U-See requires moderate parent involvement for introducing concepts, whereas Teaching Textbooks handles all instruction automatically. Kinesthetic learners generally thrive with Math-U-See’s hands-on approach. Nevertheless, visual learners and independent students often prefer Teaching Textbooks’ video-based format.
Teaching Textbooks Pricing (2026)
Teaching Textbooks uses a straightforward subscription model with transparent pricing. Here’s the current pricing breakdown for all available levels:
- Math 3, Math 4, Math 5: $48.95 per year
- Math 6, Math 7: $63.95 per year
- Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry: $79.95 per year
- Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus: $83.95 per year
- Family Plan (4-8 children): $216.95 per year
Subscriptions activate when you start the first lesson. You have 12 full months from that date. The 15-lesson free trial lets you evaluate before committing. If your student finishes early, you can start the next level within your subscription period.
The family plan offers significant savings for larger families. It covers all levels for multiple children. This makes Teaching Textbooks one of the more affordable options for big families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Teaching Textbooks enough for college preparation?
Yes, for most students. The curriculum covers standard high school math through Pre-Calculus. Students completing through Algebra 2 or Pre-Calculus are prepared for college math placement tests. However, students pursuing STEM majors at competitive universities may want supplementation. Consider programs like Art of Problem Solving for additional rigor.
What grade levels does Teaching Textbooks cover?
The program covers grades 3 through 12 with ten complete courses. These include Math 3, Math 4, Math 5, Math 6, Math 7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus. Unfortunately, there are no courses for grades K-2 or Calculus. Therefore, younger students should start with other programs before transitioning to Teaching Textbooks.
Can I use Teaching Textbooks with multiple children?
Absolutely! The Family Plan covers 4 to 8 children for $216.95 per year. Each child receives their own login and progress tracking. Meanwhile, parents can view all children’s grades in one convenient dashboard. For families with three or fewer children, however, individual subscriptions may actually cost less.
Does Teaching Textbooks work offline?
Partially, but with some limitations. Specifically, Version 4.0 allows downloading up to six lessons at a time. You can then complete these lessons without internet access. When you reconnect, moreover, progress syncs automatically back to the cloud. For extended travel without internet, therefore, plan your downloads in advance.
How long does each lesson take?
Typically, most lessons take 45 to 60 minutes to complete. This time includes both the video lecture and practice problems. Elementary levels generally finish faster than upper grades. Conversely, high school levels often take longer due to more complex material. Additionally, students who need to rewatch videos or use hints will require more time.
Final Verdict: Should You Choose Teaching Textbooks?
After extensive testing and helping families evaluate this curriculum, I can confidently say Teaching Textbooks solves a real problem for homeschool families. It provides complete math instruction without constant parent involvement or teaching expertise. Students learn from clear, engaging video lessons taught by patient instructors. They get immediate feedback on every single problem they attempt. The automatic grading and comprehensive record keeping save hours of parent time each week.
The program works best for independent learners who need gentle, encouraging pacing. It’s perfect for families juggling multiple students across different grade levels. Parents who dread teaching math will find genuine relief here. The Sabouri brothers designed it specifically for homeschool success, and it shows in every aspect of the program.
However, it’s not the best choice for every student or family. Advanced learners may need more mathematical challenge. Students requiring hands-on manipulatives should look elsewhere. Families limiting screen time will find the all-digital format problematic. These are honest limitations that deserve careful consideration.
For the right family, Teaching Textbooks transforms math from a daily battle into an independent, stress-free activity. Students gain confidence through incremental success and positive reinforcement. Parents reclaim valuable time for other subjects and activities. That’s a meaningful trade-off worth considering seriously.
The 15-lesson free trial makes evaluation easy and risk-free. Try it with your student and observe how they respond to the teaching style. You’ll know quickly whether Teaching Textbooks fits your family’s needs.
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