Foerster Math vs Teaching Textbooks Math
The sharpest difference is faith content: Foerster Math is None, Teaching Textbooks Math is Light. Eight more separate them, so very little here lines up.
At a glance
Foerster Math
Grades 8-12
Owners report it suits
Advanced/giftedTeaching Textbooks Math
Grades 3-12
Owners report it suits
Math-anxious parentsBoth are reported to suit Independent workers.
Skip to who fitsWhere they differ
| Attribute | Foerster Math | Teaching Textbooks Math |
|---|---|---|
Rigor
?How demanding the material is versus grade level. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Parent involvement
?How much the parent is present and teaching. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Prep load
?How much the parent prepares before a lesson. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Screen time
?How much daily work is on a device. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Independence
?How much the child can do alone. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
Time commitment
?How long a daily lesson takes the child. Where a program lands on the 1 to 5 scale:
|
|
|
| Faith content | None | Light |
| Approach | Mastery | Spiral |
| Format | Textbook | Online |
| Best for Tags show where owners consistently report a good fit. They are not exclusions. | Advanced/giftedIndependent workers | Independent workersMath-anxious parents |
| Method | ClassicalTraditionalTraditional textbookProblem-solving/Socratic | Video-led/self-pacedAdaptive online |
| Grades | 8-12 | 3-12 |
Solid tags are unique to that program. Muted tags are carried by both.
Where they match
- Used asboth Spine
How each one plays by grade
Foerster Math
Grades 8-12
Algebra 1 in 8th or 9th for a strong student, feeding into Foerster Algebra 2 with Trigonometry and Precalculus. The separate Geometry companion pairs with a discovery-heavy text some owners found harder.
Teaching Textbooks Math
Grades 3-12
Cost
| Cost item | Foerster Math | Teaching Textbooks Math |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$150-190/course (text + video) | $50-200/yr |
| Consumable | No | No |
| Per child / year | ~$150-190 first child, far less after | ~$50-70 |
What parents report
Foerster Math
Consistently praised
- The textbook reads like a real author wrote it
- Word problems make kids stop and think
- Chandlers videos teach the lesson, not just the answers
- Strong prep for college math and the SAT
- One of the clearest, deepest algebra texts around
Reported as challenges
- You buy the out-of-print textbook separately
- The pace and depth can overwhelm an average student
- No auto-grading, so a parent still checks work
- The unusual topic order surprises some families
Teaching Textbooks Math
Consistently praised
- Self-grading saves parent time
- Kids can work independently
- Clear video lessons
- Low prep
Reported as challenges
- Considered light/below grade by some
- Fewer challenging word problems
- Subscription cost recurs yearly
Who Foerster Math fits
A motivated, college-bound or STEM-minded student who wants depth and doesn't mind a challenge, with the Math Without Borders videos doing the teaching. A struggling or reluctant student, or a family wanting an all-in-one graded package, should keep looking.
Read the full Foerster Math entry Check price Math Without BordersWho Teaching Textbooks Math fits
Independent, screen-comfortable learners whose parents want to step back, and parents who aren't confident in the math themselves. Families who want a parent at the table, paper on the desk, or an accelerated track should keep looking.
Read the full Teaching Textbooks Math entry Check price Teaching TextbooksSome links on this site are affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes how a curriculum is described or scored.
Still deciding?
Foerster Math compared with
Teaching Textbooks Math compared with
See all 17 Teaching Textbooks Math comparisonsDescriptions aggregate what homeschool parents consistently report across public community sources together with each publisher's own materials. Prices and editions change over time. Both entries last reviewed July 2026.