Math. It has always been my kryptonite. I love history, fly through Shakespeare, and diagram Dr. Seuss in my sleep. But, I still have no idea who Pythagoras is, in fact what is a theorem anyway? And, if two trains are traveling at the same speed and leave at two different times, I’m more worried about the crash that’s going to occur when they meet than the time. I guess you’ve figured it out: math is not my forte.
When we began homeschooling about four years ago, I thought “piece of cake, I can teach a five year old math.” Have you ever sat with a five year old and tried to explain to them that 4+2=6? It goes a little like this:
“What’s 4+2?”
“8”
“No, it’s 6. So, what’s 4+2?”
“3?”
“No, really it’s 6. So, what is 4+2?”
“I know!!!” (Hope springs.) “…623.” Face palm.
You see, I’m an adult. Clearly I can add and subtract and multiply- and if I can’t well there’s an app for that. The thing is, teaching and doing are two completely different things. Success at homeschooling is not measured by how well you aced those geometry tests in school but how well you translate that into teaching someone else. Some of us (me) need a little (or a lot) of help.
After several years of tears and frustration (from me), I realized I needed a solid math curriculum. That’s when I found Math-U-See. We went from daily tears over math lessons to excitement to flip to a new chapter and watch the instructional DVD. The thing we both love about Math-U-See is the outside instruction. Though I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t want to listen to me drone on day in and day out, sometimes hearing someone else say it is just what you need. Anyone can write a textbook, send it out, and leave mothers to struggle to remember the exact numerical value of pie (3.14 something right?).
But, that’s not what Math-U-See does. Thank you Professor Steve Demme. Between the instructional DVD, the easy to use workbook, and the manipulatives (counting rods that my younger children like to design pizzas out of), math has gone from a struggle to a piece of cake, or should I say pie?
Math-U-See: c/o Demme Learning
**We received this years’ curriculum as part of a collaboration but have been using them for three years now. I love Math-U-See and so do the littles. Less crying over math and more time to play. All opinions herein are my own and the result of several years of experience (and two children) with the curriculum. I don’t recommend Math-U-See because I got it for free. But, I do recommend it to end the tears over math lessons and I mean yours.**
19 Comments
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I like your post! I plan on homeschooling when my children are older. Great ideas here.
very informative
Visualization is huge! I taught high school math, and this looks awesome.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
Love this post. I plan on homeschooling my daughter so reading about anything that has to do with homeschooling interests me. Thanks for sharing!
You already know how much I admire you for homeschooling. Seriously, you’re such a rockstar, Jamie! This curriculum sounds like it’s the right fit for your family. If I ever decide to homeschool, it definitely sounds like it would be an option for us as well!
Xx
Natalie
https://www.kindavoguish.com
this is such a good idea, i can see it being a lot of fun for kids, with the huge bonus that it encourages learning too. learning can be fun!
Loved this post! I’m thinking of possibly home schooling my children in the future so it was great to learn how to teach math at home. Thank you!
Stephanie
lifestylebystephanie.com
LOL! It’s “pi” not “pie.” But hey, I’d rather eat pie any day than figure out pi to the hundredth place.
I am a dummy in math to so I will problably purchase Math-u-see for myself before I could proudly teach my daughter it!? Just so I dont need to tell her “Go and ask your dad” all the time…
Haha love it. I am the same way. I still call my dad and ask him what I’m doing wrong when we’re stuck on something.
Looks like a great math curriculum. Thanks for sharing
Homeschooling is something we have thought about doing with our son, it really all comes down to where we are living when it’s time to start school. I suck at Math so I will have to keep this in mind if we do home school.
What a great concept. I am more logic driven but my husband is more conceptual. It will be interesting to see how our 15 month old learns. I will have to remember Math – U – See.
We homeschool and so I can totally appreciate this post. My little ones love math. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for this post! I am considering home school for my Little and I know I will need a strong math curriculum when the time comes. I’ve bookmarked this one!
I love this post. My son is a visual learner so it seems this would be perfect for him
Thank you for sharing excellent information and resources,
Thanks for sharing. These would come in real handy for me. I’ve just started homeschooling since September.
Oh my what a fun way to learn! Totally checking these out.. My Son is too little right now but I have been looking into homeschooling and this would be perfect!