Math

Much of our learning comes from our everyday experiences, including math. Sometimes, however, there are math concepts that are beyond our everyday experiences. It has been our choice to follow a math curriculum. It is one subject that I really want my kids to know.

You may think that my desire to have my kids love math stems from my engineering background. Actually, I think it more comes from the overall power that understanding math gives an individual and that I have experienced in my own life. Though I wouldn't want to repeat my engineering education, I also wouldn't want to give up my math background. Math teaches you to think.

Lately, there has been a lot of press about the ranking of U.S. students versus other countries. While the following article provides no answers, it does give some very good arguments why it is important to find a way to teach math. One interesting point, is that the author, Arthur Michelson, writes "I don't have the big answer. I teach middle school and try to find an answer one child at a time. When I can get one to say, 'Wow, that's tight,' I feel the joy of a small victory."

Now, that's why I homeschool.

http://www.startribune.com/stories/562/5160241.html