Teach to Learn
After teaching my daughter the Learn Math Fast method for subtracting single digit numbers, my daughter came up with this slightly different approach. Of course, we want kids to have these math facts memorized, but in the meantime, it’s helpful for them to have a quick method for solving the problems.
Without any prompting from me, my daughter started teaching her younger brother and her friend “her method” for subtracting single digit numbers. She was so excited about math! Why? I would argue that she feels competent. We are always more motivated to pursue activities we feel capable in. If your child is struggling in a subject, have him teach someone who is behind him in ability. Or consider letting your child make a YouTube video!
The added benefit of letting your child teach is the learners get motivated, too. My daughter’s friend was very excited about this math method and the video they made of it. You still have time to enter the Learn Math Fast giveaway!
Have you had success having your child teach a subject? Tell us about it!
Hope for Homeschool Laziness
- My math lazy boy six years ago
I discovered today that I have been logging in to comment on blogs for a long time with a profile that connects people to blogs I haven’t updated in years. While I was dismayed by this discovery, I was delighted by another. I found a blog post on homeschooling I don’t remember writing six years ago. Here it is:
I am teaching my 4th grader long division. Every time I say it’s time for math, he stalls. “What time is it?” “Do you need me to watch the younger kids?” “Aren’t we supposed to be reading now?”
When he does sit down to work, he usually does handwriting instead…on his math page. He covers his paper with, “I don’t get it. I need help. I don’t know.” I remember learning long division. It’s the most challenging of the math operations to learn for sure! But my 4th grader is extremely bright and knows what is required to divide.
When I went over his work with him, explaining again and again what he needed to know, it suddenly occurred to me what the problem was. I told him that there was a technical term for the struggles he was having. I wrote it on his paper. L-a-z-i-n-e-s-s.
He smiled. He knew I was right. In order to do long division, you have to guess at the correct answer. Then you have to check to see if you are right. If you are not, you have to erase and try again. And you repeat this process over and over.
How many times in my life have I been like my son? I’ve said, “I don’t know how to lose weight. I don’t get how to exercise regularly. I need help to get organized.” Yet, like my son, I really didn’t need someone to tell me over and over and over how these things were done. I knew what needed to be done. I just didn’t want to try, make a mistake, and start over. The problem was l-a-z-i-n-e-s-s. I can smile at that.
Is it time to work on your problems?
The postscript that should make YOU smile is that this math-lazy boy is now in an AP class for Calculus BC as a high school sophomore. There is hope for lazy students and teachers.
Do your children make excuses for not doing their work? Do you ever search the web for more information on doing something you already know how to do? Or am I the only one?
Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! Proverbs 6:6
How to Teach Math Facts Fast
I think I have tried just about everything to teach my kids their math facts–flash cards, repetitive curriculum, electronics, games, pictures, and software. The problem isn’t so much teaching them as it is the kids retaining them.
While I am happy with my current math curriculum, I decided to give Learn Math Fast a try. The basic setup for book one is:
- Teaching using money
- A worksheet on the facts
- A timed test on the facts
Competition Can Motivate
My children are competitive. While I know many homeschoolers arent wild about competition, I have seen the value of it in teaching–even when the only way you are competing is with yourself.
I time each of the kids with my iPhone (it’s my version of a Swiss Army knife). They know when their siblings have completed the test under the time limit. They also know how much time they have to shave off to come in under the time limit set in the book.
Rewards Can Motivate
Yep! Learning is self-motivating, but offering my kids a small reward for passing the timed test has them begging me to learn their math facts. Not even the math video games they’ve played have had that effect. The combination of competition and rewards has been a winner for me.
The Results?
My kindergartner and second grader know their addition and subtraction facts cold. The upper elementary kids are making progress on multiplication and division. I expect them to really get them down when their younger siblings start learning them.
When it comes to motivating kids, timed tests, competitions, and rewards can be very effective!
Do you want to give Learn Math Fast a try or could you get the same results using your current curriculum or flash cards? Do you have any tried-and-true tips?
Welcome! I pray that you will leave here motivated to get school done (while still having fun). Because that's also my goal as a busy mom of six, I'm committed to updating this blog weekly. Thanks for sharing the resources here with others and motivating me with comments. You're a blessing!
Dr. Melanie Wilson
