Teaching Math to the Unaccountable - Page 3
© Joan Archer
There is some controversy over the use of calculators in homeschool math. I feel, if the student has proven a proficiency in math skills, the calculator can be a useful, timesaving tool for a child. For older students, who may be into the scientific maths, a calculator is almost a must. I started Jasper using this tool by having him use one to correct his own papers, after he had worked them out with his brain first. As he progressed in his multiplication tables, I allowed him to use one for two and three digit problems, as long as he only used it for one part of the problem at a time. Doing the entire problem at once was a no-no. You can check for this by seeing how they note their carrying on their paper. If there is no carrying (when there should be) you know they didn't do all of the work. As a caveat, do not tell them whether there is carrying or not, because some kids have caught on to the fact that if there is carrying, it can't be more than a one in the one's column.
You can use tutors for difficult math problems, because some are free. Your children can also take classes in some areas with junior colleges or from high schools-you have to check in your area to see what the requirements are for this. I would caution against skipping math altogether, as a woman I know did, because math is so competitive. If your child wants to go on to a college program, being behind in math may be an extreme handicap for him. Also, what is the point in paying to be taught the basics of math, when you can teach them for free at home? A parent has to be able to say, "You know, I really don't know how this type of math works. We're going to have to learn this together." Again, because of the competitiveness of math abilities, this is difficult for many parents to admit to. It helps, before you begin homeschooling, to consider how much abuse your ego can take-because none of us knows every thing about everything. This math sector is difficult going for many of us.
It is also important to not make such a big deal out of the advanced maths, because many of our children, especially ones we have removed from the public school system, have only a murky, rudimentary knowledge of math. Make sure what you have selected to teach bears some relevance to the life your child lives. My favorite "Aha!" moment of the past year was when Isaac discovered how to borrow and how to carry in math. He had been doing it haphazardly, rejoicing when it came out right, being depressed when it came out wrong. I had started the year believing he was ready for the more advanced parts of the seventh grade textbook, when he was only ready for more elementary math. Of course, once he caught on, he was good to go, but what joy for him, to actually know something that made him as competent as anyone else!
