Changing our math curriculum
Now that my spring schedule has changed a bit, I’m taking the time to look at our subjects differently and am trying to think of more creative ways to present various topics.
I’ll give you an example.
My oldest son will say that he hates math. Is that because he simply is not fond of mathematical concepts, or is that I’m not presenting math in a way that he finds stimulating and exciting? So today, after we had covered the core lessons to be understood regarding multiplying decimals and working through a few of those drill-type problems, I came up with a word problem involving a battle with gold coins and space enemies. The battle scene had a decimal concept in it, but he was excited to read about the battle and didn’t seem to mind working through the math problem because it was related to the story line. I found that interesting that he was into the math problem simply because of the way that I had presented the material. Many math curricula are full of repetitious problems that will suck the energy out of a child’s curiosity, and even their word problems are written with boring themes. So, I guess the key here is tailoring whatever subject you are teaching to the child’s baseline interests and learning style. Being able to customize the academics is a huge plus for homeschoolers, even if it means more work. Of course, I won’t always be able to do that because of time or sheer energy, but it’s a worthy enough goal to at least give the concept some attention.
Take them on campus
The older boys and I were on the Princeton campus this morning to observe one of the regional contests for National History Day. We watched a few of the participants and then walked the grounds which are just gorgeous. The boys were incredibly bored during the program, but it was helpful for all of us to observe should we decide to participate in the future. Sometimes, the kids just have to go along with what I see as being important. As a homeschooler, you have to work extra hard at finding opportunities for your children to compete in. You don’t have the luxury of a school providing these scenarios or encouraging you to participate. We had lunch on Nassau Street before returning home to enjoy the sun!
To code or not to code? Is that the question?
I’m wrestling with how much time and resources to use towards computer science education for my kids. Would that time be better served just teaching math concepts? I’ve been told by several people that programming is so rapidly changing that it’s a waste of time for kids to learn what’s out there now. Just something else for me to make a decision on-ugh..
But along those lines, I did order a few new magazine subscriptions to PCWorld, MACworld, and Wired amongst others. Figured it can only help my kids and me to learn more about new technology in this fashion.
Stressing about math
The last 3 days have been beyond busy in our household, and likely your household can relate. Hubby and I actually laughed when we looked over the calendar as there was literally nowhere to pause until the day ended at a late hour. In the midst of the activities, I’ve tried to keep an abbreviated version of academics going as every little bit helps.
In the wee hours of the night, I was prepping for our lessons that were to be taught today when I found myself becoming anxious over my fifth grader’s math and questioning my ability to teach this. Yes, fifth grade math! I’m using Singapore’s “Math in Focus” as our skeleton math curriculum and some of the word problems in the extra practice and enrichment books I’ve been frustrated with. I don’t feel the authors have done a decent job of explaining how to present a few of the concepts. This belief led me down that not-so-fun road of asking the question, “Do I throw in the towel on this curriculum and go back to what I was using before (Calvert Math), or do I persevere with what I’m presently using?” Math is such an important subject so I want to make sure it gets the time and attention it deserves, and that I’m comfortable in teaching it. My latest thought is to combine Calvert’s Math and Singapore’s books and teach the concepts using both of their resources and methodologies, which just means more work for me-ugh. But you just do what you have to do to make it work. Hopefully, I”m making the right decision. We’ll see how his next round of standardized testing goes.
Ivy League Homeschooling 