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Using Test Generators

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When I was teaching eighth grade math I struggled with preparing for standardized tests. There are few materials out there that allow for students to practice with multiple choice math tests. In addition it would be hard for me to find practice tests that covered the skills that my students needed to focus on. I tried creating my own worksheets. However for this subject area, they were very tiresome and time consuming to create. Coming up with your own math questions (mostly Pre-Algebra) and four multiple choice answers for each question took time. I also found that computers often do … Continue reading →

So Hands-On Is Not Better?

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Wow! One study may just prove everything that I learned in my master’s teaching math courses to be wrong. As teachers we have been told for years now that children need hands on real life experiences. We are told that if they can connect what they are learning to real life that they learn better. We are also told that manipulative held children better understand concepts such as those that they learn in math. I, of course, assumed that all of this was researched based. I am now finding out that I was wrong. In fact one university is conducting … Continue reading →

Some Board Games Strengthen Math Skills

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While many educators and child psychologist will say that children need to be up and out playing rather than sitting in the house with games, not all games are bad. Some games encourage and require children to think and use academic skills. There are many games out there that were designed to help strengthen certain skills in children. One study proved exactly that point. After one research study it was found that preschool children from low income families greatly benefited from a playing board game. The children made gains in counting skills and other skills after participating in a game … Continue reading →

Math Resource Review: National Library of Virtual Manipulatives and Aleks.com

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives is a National Science Foundation supported website that provides, as the name appropriately implies, online manipulatives. The site is a subscription site but you can download a free trial to see how it might work out for you. What I like about this site is that it has things for grades PK all the way through Grade 12. I often find that high school is missing from things for homeschoolers. . .but this site is extremely comprehensive and does it all. What I wouldn’t like is the fact that … Continue reading →

Tips to Build ‘Number Sense’ in Your Children

What is number sense and why would you want to build it? Number sense refers to the general understanding of numbers. Kids (or adults for that matter) who have good number sense see patterns and relationshps in numbers easily. Kids who struggle with math probably have poor number sense as well. Is your child stumped over understanding that 2+3 is the same as 3+2? Spending some time just working on building number sense might just help you! 1. Memorize those math facts. Gone are the days when you have to do flash cards or drill sheets to memorize math facts. … Continue reading →

The Most Talked About Homeschooling Blogs in 2007

This is my annual list of the most talked about blogs in 2007. We love comments, and the more the better! If you have been wanting to peruse the homeschooling blog but weren’t sure where to start. . .this is the place to be! My Top 5 Math Curriculum Picks In Defense of Teaching Creation Too Much Information Homeschooling or Housekeeping? Why We Are Not Testing Our Gifted Son Reason #2 Why Tax Credits Are Wrong for Homeschoolers You Call That Homeschooling? The National Lunch Association Takes Aim at Those Who Dare to Eat at Home It Has Been a … Continue reading →

Higher Pay for Subject Taught?

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I came across an article recently that discussed a plan to offer higher salaries to teachers teaching math and science. It is believed that more highly qualified teachers in these two subjects are needed. Fewer persons with math or science degrees choose teaching because of the low pay. They are offer jobs in other professions for more money. In addition to higher pay, the plan also called for scholarships, bonuses, loans, and pay for working in high-risk areas. While I agree that fewer teachers specialize in math or science than any other subject areas, I am not certain that the … Continue reading →

Homeschooling Week in Review May 26, 2007- June 1, 2007

We have a little bit of everything here for you this week at the families.com homeschooling blog. We wrote about teaching evolution, Saxon Math, kids wanting to start or stop homeschooling, and much more. Here is the families.com homeschooling week in review for May 26, – June 1, 2007 May 26, 2007: Teaching Your Homeschooler about Evolution by Andrea Hermitt finished a series on homeschooling and religion that was started the previous week. This post suggests several resources you may wan to use for this purpose. May 27, 2007 Homeschooling Week in Review May 19, – May 25, 2007 by … Continue reading →

How to Use Saxon Math Without Going Nutty! (Part 2)

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(This is the second part of a blog about using Saxon. If you haven’t yet, check out the first part.) The Math Drills From very early on, Saxon is strong when it comes to giving kids good number sense. Part of ‘number sense’ is understanding and being able to readily recall their facts. However, my kids would find the drills tedious. So we stopped doing them. We use math dice instead. We have all types of dice, but our dice have up to 12 sides and the kids roll them and add, subtract or multiple as appropriate. Another thing I … Continue reading →

How to Use Saxon Math Without Going Nutty!

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This blog is an answer to a question about how I skip around Saxon. If you’re not familiar with Saxon, it can best be described as an incremental approach to mathematics. The lessons are scripted and it is designed that you take the lessons in order. This drives some people nutty. However, I think that you can easily adapt Saxon to fit your needs and we have done so in our house, particularly with our son Alex, who is gifted in this area. Understanding the Saxon Plan Essentially Saxon follows the same pattern from K-12. You introduce a concept, you … Continue reading →