How To Teach Mathematics To Homeschooled Children

by Ann Bowers

The current teaching of mathematics is often weak in traditional schools. Children are taught math facts and are expected to learn them through rote memory drills. Often children are expected to complete worksheets and textbook exercises, rather than engage in math projects in which math and science concepts are discovered and applied. This results in a lack of understanding of math concepts and leads to poor preparation for the study of math at the university level.

Why is math teaching so poor? Sometimes teachers do not understand math well so they rely on textbooks and drills. Some teachers and parents believe that math is merely the memorization of calculation rules and basic facts. Teachers and parents often had no opportunities to explore math and learn concepts through real-life experiences. Poor grades or negative comments may have made math something to be avoided. Also, children who don’t master the basics fall quickly behind and give up trying to learn math. It’s very important that children are assessed regularly to make sure that they are mastering what is being taught and can use it appropriately.

 First of all, Why study math? 

 

More and more, math has become essential to functioning in today’s world. With the progression of technology, the ability to understand and use math is vital for everyone – on the job and in one’s personal life. On the job, employees must know how to create and balance budgets, program computers, purchase materials, figure taxes, prepare invoices, calculate overhead, organize payroll, keep accounting books, and myriad other tasks. In our personal lives, we must be able to create a budget, pay bills and balance a checkbook, manage credit and investments, save for a home, a car, and retirement, fund children’s educations, prepare taxes, measure ingredients, build and/or improve on our homes, etc.

 

Mathematics Anxiety and Motivation 

How do you motivate a homeschooled student to study math and avoid a fear of math

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As a parent and teacher in a home school, do you like math?  When you were in school, did you hate math because it was hard or boring?  Did it make sense to you and did you have a “natural” ability for it?  Did you have good math teachers?  Or, did you think that math was only for boys or nerds? The best teachers love the subject(s) they teach.  But, if you feel negative about math, it will be obvious and your children may develop math anxiety or lack motivation to learn it.  Small children like numbers and math, but many kids develop math anxiety or end up hating math.  A major factor in causing math anxiety and hate is the way the teacher feels about math. So, a very important way to motivate your children to enjoy math is to show them that you are enthusiastic about it!  If you really hate math, you can explain to your child how you feel, why you developed this problem, and how you are trying to change. 

  

Find good reasons to study math!  The student will be more motivated if she/he knows how he/she will use math.  Involve your child in everyday life math uses such as: measuring things, estimating costs when grocery shopping, cooking, sewing, crafts, and woodworking.  Where are algebra, trigonometry, and calculus needed?  There are needed when the student is preparing for a career and has to study science, electronics, commerce, physics, nursing, teaching, math, medicine, and other subjects when attending college or university. 

 

Get the student involved!  Don’t teach math as though there is only one way to solve a problem and, if one gets it wrong, one is considered to be stupid! Children will be more motivated if they are asked open-ended questions, explore concepts, and use mistakes as ways in which to learn.  Some ways to do this are to say, "Please, can you explain how you got that answer?"  Then ask, "Did someone else get the same answer?”  “Did somebody get a different answer?” “We have two (or three) different answers here. Let’s figure them out."   Students should not feel put down for a wrong answer.