Getting Help With Saxon Math From Nicole the Math Lady

We've been plugging away at Saxon math for quite a few years now. Math is one of those subjects that I'm happy to help work through problem spots, but I'd like my kids to independent in getting started and working their way through a lesson. There are only so many hours in a day, and if I spent time with each of my kids in one-on-one instruction in math, I wouldn't have time for much more.

When I heard about a new Saxon inspired video series for middle grade math, I was intrigued. At this time of the year, we all could use a little extra encouragement to keep pressing forward in math. And it couldn't have come a moment too soon.

I received free access to Nicole the Math Lady videos, and I was compensated for my time in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure policy for more details.

So while I was setting up my account with Nicole the Math Lady some familiar sounds were coming from the table where we all do math.

5th grader: Grumble. Grumble.

Husband: Do your math.

5th grader: Grumble. It's too hard. I don't understand it.

Husband: You've got this! Just read it again.

My husband happened to be helping with math this day. It was really a blessing. However, this is like a daily routine with one of our kids. She doesn't feel confident in reading or math, so reading the lesson to herself can be challenging. It's not that she's not capable. It's just that it's scary.

As I typed in my email to activate my subscription, I listened to my husband talk through simple probability with her. This is a challenging concept to learn.

As the frustration built, I gained access to the portal of glorious videos, quickly found the topic discussing simple probability and diffused the tension in the room with a math demonstration discussing the chance of pulling out a Reese's peanut butter cup out of a candy bag. *I liked the direction this was going already!

In the span of five minutes, we went from utter confusion to content understanding. My 5th grader was able to confidently complete her lesson and move on.

Don't we all just need a little help every now and then?

It was wonderful to have a third party tutor step in and diffuse the moment of stress between teacher and student. I loved that she offered a different scenario than in the text that caught my daughter's attention. The funny thing was that I didn't even want the videos for this kid! She's in Saxon 6/5.

Nicole the Math Lady Videos

Nicole the Math Lady offers a subscription based access to her video series working through the Saxon 7/6 and 8/7 books. Lessons covering Algebra 1/2 and Algebra I will be coming soon. You can either opt to subscribe to one level, or if you have multiple kids in different levels, you can get an all access to her resources.

Memberships start at $49/year for one level, or you can access all levels for $79/year.

Resource Layout

Each video series based on a Saxon text is laid out by lesson. The videos are broken down into short clips for each new concept covered in that lesson, and followed by a walk through similar lesson practice problems.

The great part about this is my daughter can quickly access the videos for the lesson she's currently learning, and then reference the specific concept she needs to refer back to during the mixed practice.

There is also a subscription that is topic based (where I found the simple probability video). These videos can be quickly found under basic math categories, and they're divided by grade level.

You don't have to use a Saxon math book to benefit from the instructional videos.

Benefits of Math Help

While I'm not sure any of my kids will grow to be math scholars, I firmly believe that they should have a firm foundation in math. Nicole the Math Lady does a great job of talking through the math using math vocabulary. As she works through the problems, she effortlessly integrates previously studied skills.

I wish I could do this daily with all of my students, but I'm thrilled that I've found a helpful tool to strengthen my students. When I pulled the website up for my daughter who's working through the Saxon 8/7 book, she was thrilled. The brief videos weren't overwhelming, and the additional help with the practice problems.

Getting Started with Nicole the Math Lady

If you're not sure if your student would use this resource, check out her YouTube channel. She posts the odd numbered lesson videos. This might give you all the help you need. The difference is that the membership gives you the videos for all of the lessons as well as Nicole working through the practice problems.

If you'd like to check out the entire site, use this code to get free access for a week: Free1Week-nhi

Enter to win a year's subscription for your homeschool!

Betsy

Betsy Strauss is an unexpected homeschooler, mother of three, who is in a relationship with a sweet man for life. She loves reading books, drinking coffee, and learning anything with her kids.