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cover of episode Episode 54: Teaching Math
Key Insights

Why is math often intimidating for homeschool moms?

Many homeschool moms feel insecure about teaching math due to their own experiences with math education, which often lacked understanding and focused on following rules rather than grasping concepts. Additionally, the abundance of math programs claiming to be the 'only way' adds to the confusion and pressure.

What does Charlotte Mason say about the value of math?

Charlotte Mason emphasized that math teaches children about absolute truth and develops reasoning powers. She believed that math's chief value lies in training the mind to think clearly, accurately, and logically, fostering intellectual truthfulness.

Why does Charlotte Mason argue against correcting math mistakes?

Mason believed that correcting math mistakes could blur the line between right and wrong, which is crucial for teaching absolute truth. Instead, she suggested that children should be given new problems to reinforce understanding without dwelling on errors.

How does Charlotte Mason view the role of the teacher in math education?

Mason believed that math depends more on the teacher than on the textbook. She emphasized that teachers should inspire students with the 'captain ideas' that quicken imagination and help students grasp the beauty and logic of math.

What are the key principles for choosing a math curriculum according to Charlotte Mason?

Mason's principles include starting with concrete examples before moving to abstract concepts, using manipulatives, allowing for mental math, and ensuring the curriculum is concept-based rather than just focused on drill and repetition.

How long should math lessons be according to Charlotte Mason?

Mason recommended daily math lessons, with Form 1 (grades 1-3) having 20-minute lessons and Forms 2-6 (grades 4-12) having 30-minute lessons. She stressed the importance of short, daily lessons to maintain attention and build understanding incrementally.

Why does Charlotte Mason recommend reading about famous mathematicians?

Mason believed that reading about mathematicians and their discoveries could help children connect with math on a deeper level, fostering a sense of awe and understanding of the subject's historical and intellectual significance.

Shownotes Transcript

) ) How in the world did Charlotte Mason approach the subject of math? This podcast episode explores that question and addresses our qualms and insecurities in teaching math to our children. How do we avoid fears, tears, pushing and pulling, and reach to its infinite beauty as an instrument in acquiring knowledge of the universe? Listen Now: If you are seeing this message, please make sure you are using the most current version of your web browser: Internet Explorer 9), Firefox), Chrome) ) ) "Arithmetic, Mathematics, are exceedingly easy to examine upon and so long as education is regulated by examinations so long shall we have teaching, directed not to awaken a sense of awe in contemplating a self-existing science, but rather to secure exactness and ingenuity in the treatment of problems." (Vol. 6, p. 231) "...the use of the study in practical life is the least of its uses. The chief value of arithmetic, like that of higher mathematics, lies in the training it affords to the reasoning powers, and in the habits of insight, readiness, accuracy, intellectual truthfulness it engenders." (Vol. 1, p. 254) "Never are the operations of Reason more delightful and more perfect than in mathematics...By degrees, absolute truth unfolds itself. We are so made that truth, absolute and certain truth, is a perfect joy to us; and that is the joy that mathematics afford." (Vol. 4, p. 63) "Let his arithmetic lesson be to the child a daily exercise in clear thinking and rapid, careful execution, and his mental growth will be as obvious as the sprouting of seedlings in the spring." (Vol. 1, p. 261) "Mathematics depend upon the teacher rather than upon the text-book and few subjects are worse taught; chiefly because teachers have seldom time to give the inspiring ideas, what Coleridge calls, the 'Captain' ideas, which should quicken imagination." (Vol. 6, p. 233) "There is no must be to him he does not see that one process, and one process only, can give the required result. Now, a child who does not know what rule to apply to a simple problem within his grasp, has been ill taught from the first, although he may produce slatefuls of quite right sums in multiplication or long division." (Vol. 1, p. 254) "...'nearly right' is the verdict, a judgment inadmissible in arithmetic." (Vol. 1, p. 255) ) If you would like to study along with us, here are some passages from The Home Education Series and other Parent's Review articles that would be helpful for this episode's topic. You may also read the series online here), or get the free Kindle version from Fisher Academy). Home Education, Part V, XV Towards a Philosophy of Education, Book I, Chapter 10, Section III ) Number Stories of Long Ago) String, Straightedge and Shadow) (Contains affiliate links) ) Our very favorite resource for Mathematics teaching)