In regards to the information you shared in your intro, I dropped out of Highschool with basically zero credits after jumping around schools my entire childhood and not learning much. I studied a few weeks for the GED and did great, then excelled in college and am a college graduate. Now I'm homeschooling my kids and struggle with feeling like I need to jam all this information (history, grammar, formatted writing, science topics galore..) into my child's brain or else we're "behind". It really is a struggle to just relax and know that they will and can get what they need organically. We are switching to Math Mammoth from Teaching Texbooks, because my son finds that even though he's a full level ahead in TT, he is still not challenged enough. He also doesn't like how much review there is. I love that Math Mammoth teaches in a similar way to Singapore and gives the student many options and tools to use to work problems. I also love the mental math, the mastery approach, and the ease of teaching it, with it being written directly to the student. Overall it is a great product and affordable too!
Lashelle Lashelle I totally feel you! The urge to make sure our kids aren’t “behind” is such a powerful force 😫 Love getting to talk with Moms who get it and can encourage me to keep doing what I’m doing and let it unfold naturally ♥️
Your kids ONLY NEED math, logic(mathematical logic and philosophical logic) and argumentation skills(wrapped in rhetorical tools)...all of them to a very high degree of proficiency. Everything else they can self learn themselves when they need it and they don't need you or a tutor because they have the skills to learn themselves by mastering logic, math and reasoning tools/skills +problem solving tools to break down and simplify concepts and processes of any field they want to study.
You are so right about covering 1-12 math in 8 weeks. I was a very poor student. But for some reason, when I was 12, I read my math book. I found I really liked it and finished it in a couple weeks. This led me to further reading with books from the library, and I taught myself calculus at 13. I continued on my merry way doing all sorts of wonderful stuff through my high school years, such as complex numbers and differential equations. My other subjects suffered, and even my math examination results, while good, were not spectacular, but I was having great fun. Because I just studied what interested me, which definitely did not include Shakespeare etc., I failed Senior English and did not actually graduate HS. It didn't worry me at the time because I went to work and, after work, read books on what I liked. Eventually, I realised at 20 (I was no longer a teenager) I needed to go to university. I had a chat with someone from the math department at the uni near where I worked, and they said for a math degree, they don't worry about marks in English, so I could get in; math was an unpopular major, so they had tons of places. First-year subjects were a joke - I already knew most of what I was taught. The second and third years were a bit more challenging, but I still got my degree with honours in 5 years part-time.
I remember when I heard that about math and how kids can learn it! It blew my mind as well. It really takes off some of the pressure for math in homeschool. I’m all about waiting for kids to be ready cognitively 🧠
I’m new to your channel so let me start by saying that your intro sprung me from hopelessness to ‘I can do this’. You’ve gained a new subscriber! My twin daughters have been in a combination of public/private since pre-k. They’re in 5th grade now and I’ve decided/committed to homeschooling them for at least middle school. They have very different learning styles thus teaching them math intimidates me the most. The only curriculum that I can recall from their past is Singapore math in 3rd grade when we lived in Uganda for a year. It was thought at the international school they attended. One of my girls struggled tremendously. I was left feeling like I’d gone wrong in her earlier years. And all of the extra money I paid for tutoring didn’t help her. It just added to our frustrations. Now I understand why. With all the research I’ve done recently I realize that starting Singapore may have been fine if she was in 1st grade but 3rd assumed a mastered foundation that just wasn’t there. The teacher and school recommended tutor may have recognized this fact but they didn’t respect enough to take a step back and meet her where she was build from there. Recently I’d been thinking that the spiral approach may best suit her learning style and make for a more gentle transition to homeschool and back to public/private in 9th grade if I/we so choose. But your video has helped me realize that a traditional spiral may not be best if she sometimes struggles to remember what she’s learned. I feel like with every “spiral” she could fail to truly understand some math concepts. Which may explain the struggle in Uganda since most schools here in SC use the spiral method. So your intro has inspired me to just go back to the basics. Do an assessment to see where she truly is and then pursue the mastery approach to help her move forward. It’s possible that if I start a mastery curriculum at the 6th or even the 5th grade level we may find ourselves reliving that math nightmare from Uganda! The good thing is that since I’m homeschooling I’m not pressured to progress her faster than she’s ready nor am I limited if she masters quicker than anticipated. At any rate I was torn between Abeka and teaching textbooks but had already rejected MUS since it’s mastery. So I appreciate your review. Also, I’ve been exploring supplementals that reinforce real world application like the Life of Fred so I appreciate your bonus advice as well. Wonderful content!
I am just blown away with the fact that if the children are developmentally ready they will learn it in 8 weeks!! And they can learn to read in 30 hours!! Amazing! Thanks for such an encouraging video. :)
Singapore Math Live has a parent video at the beginning of the week and student videos that will teach them all the concepts. It follows Primary Mathematics US edition levels 1-6. It goes along perfectly with the home instructor guides. I thought I should mention that!
Linsey K whaat?! I had no idea! That is extremely helpful for sure! I wonder how long that’s been around and if I just missed it when we used that curriculum 🤔
My first RU-vid comment. First year homeschooling a 6th grade, right brained, artsy, outgoing girl and stressed about getting her to "do math." We tried a co-op with lots of worksheets and it was too hard...Covid, working etc. I let it go and switching to Teaching Textbooks :-). I needed this, thank you!
Oh my gosh I needed this video, every word of it. We have gone halfway through the year with Abeka math and she went from math being her favorite subject to continual breakdowns over it. We switched to Math U See honestly because the price was right ($10 used on FB) and I'd heard glowing reviews 100 times over. I didn't understand or maybe even realize there was a spiral vs mastery approach to curriculum due to what's most readily found being spiral. However, switching to what I was afraid would be "boring" has been THE BEST. She is excited about math again and has so much confidence after mastering concepts. I started the year with our relationship being most important and at the forefront of my mind but at some point I felt burdened by what we needed to "get through" and it became stressful for both of us. Thank you so much for the reminders about all of the things you shared in this video. I'm currently on the hunt for more options for curriculum that take an incremental/mastery approach. Does anyone have a good list of these?
Ahhh!!! it’s an amazing feeling to finally find the thing that CLICKS for your kiddo and is a joy to use! Singapore, Math Mammoth, and Miquon math are usually what I recommend to try… Right Start is another one. Check out the ambleside online website for more mastery math programs, and Cathy Duffy’s review website to find out about each one in detail!
My son was struggling hardcore with reading so I just stopped trying and thought I would revisit it when he was older. After he turned 8, he out of nowhere taught himself to read. It was quite shocking and unbelievable and amazing! So true that when they're ready, their brains will just "get it". He reads on grade level now and has a reading comprehension grades above him and I cant take much credit for it. He did it all himself.
New subscriber! I do needed to hear this today. I have been homeschooling 7 years and have never heard spiral vs mastery explained so well. We have used a rigorous math curriculum for years and well my kids have excelled with it, mama needs a break teaching and correcting now that there are 6 of them. I have spend weeks researching where to go next. Listening to your intro was mind blowing to me. They could learn it in high school if they needed to. I had to learn to write essays in Uni from the beginning! The habits and the love of learning are more important than tears. :)
First time homeschooling mom O-M-G!!!!!!!!! This video just blew my mind!! I’ve been struggling getting my first grade daughter to “do the work” and even found myself questioning and getting confused at what I was teaching …Mastery and Spiral! Had noooooo idea of the 2 teaching styles! And I have now realized why I found Saxon so confusing (I’m a mastery learner and I think my daughter is too) thank you so much for this! It was literally an a-ha moment for me 💡
Love your video. Yep we've tried MUS, TT, & Math Lessons for a Living Education. Ugh we need a hands on math that isn't $$$ or too slow. My son hates the spiral randomness too.
“Finding a math your kids don’t hate” Best advice we could give for other homeschool parents struggling with this subject. So grateful we found TGTB, lots of games and many of the lessons tie into a bigger story that is told throughout the curriculum. (Showing how the math could be used in “real life”.)
I wholeheartedly agree with all of this. My son used Teaching Textbooks from Alg 1 to Precalc and he just tested into college calculus on the Accuplacer. He used Singapore from level 1b to 5a, then Math Mammoth 6b & 7a, then Teaching Textbooks. Now college! It all worked out. He's really thankful to have the mental math foundation from Singapore Math. I wouldn't have changed a thing.
This video has been so incredibly helpful to me, thank you! I was trying to figure out what the difference was between mastery and spiral and your explanation has been the best I’ve found. I watched your video awhile ago when I started planning next year’s curriculum and I’m back to it this morning again. We are switching from Waldorf to a more eclectic homeschool and I needed some help, and you gave it to me. 👍
That video was made 3 years ago but it came to my feed at just the right day. We got through a couple of things this morning but then my daughter has been spending the rest of the day in the backyard with her younger brothers just having a good time together. And I just can't bring myself to bring her in for math lessons.
Thanks so much for all your suggestions! I was heartbroken when Teaching Textbooks didn't work for us ("us" because I hated it as much as my kids). We're actively looking for something new to try
Thank your for this and helping reiterate the fact that we don't have to start forcing math facts, alphabet, reading ,etc. at such a young age. It's so easy to forget that. Love your upbeat personality! We have used math-u-see for the last several years, but my kiddos havent been interested in the blocks. Would like to look more into Teaching Textbooks. Looking forward to more of your videos!
I have in incoming first grader who was previously enrolled in school. For kindergarten, she was using a spiral curriculum and it was just jumping around too much as you mention. We are looking into trying a mastery style one now.
Let's Homeschool Together that’s great! Pretty much every homeschooler I know has changed math curriculums at some point to figure out what’s works best for each kiddo. I had this huge fear my kids would have gaps if I did that, but honestly, that’s not really true. The nature of math is that you’re always reviewing, so I say keep searching until you find something your child LOVES!!
@@themofleycrew4367 Yes and I think that sometimes because a math curriculum isn't working some might start fearing math itself, even though it can be so much fun
This video is awesome! I loved the research you mentioned at the beginning. Do you have links to those articles/data? Also I love how you added in the games and literature ideas at the end! I’m on the lookout for those Sir Cumference books now. :) Thanks!
I’m so glad you liked it! Try researching Peter Gray and John Holt on Google with the world “unschooling” - they both have amazing research and books on this topic!
I would like to share my opinion as a teacher. First of all, please don’t stress about teaching math! Your child will be fine. It’s not worth the tears. However, A five year old child can learn pre-algebra, a three year old can learn geometry, a two year old can learn squared numbers even, if these concepts are taught in a way that is at the child’s level. And if a child learns concepts like these early in their brain development, they internalise them deeply. These concepts become a way of thinking for the child. Memorisation of 6 years of curriculum can be done in 12 weeks. But true conceptual understanding takes years to develop.
I completely get the frustration on Abeka with the spiral approach..it kinda drove me crazy too haha..because half the time my daughter didn't fully understand the concept and it would jump straight to something else.... I get the pros to spiraling however I wish they actually spent more time on one topic before jumping all around the place
Isn't teaching textbooks spiritual based? I started out using Math Mammoth and we all loved it but I really would like an online math, but I don't want to sacrifice their depth of understanding
I cannot tell you how much this ministered to me today. I feel like the Lord led me to this video to confirm what I already knew in my heart about math and my 8 year old. Eventually THEY WILL LEARN! Thank you so much for giving me permission to listen to my gut and not push too hard and hurt our relationship!
Thank you so much for this. Love your vibe! =) My twins were hating math at their charter school and just overall hating being at school the 2 days a week. So we switched to 5 days home and now we have more freedom to choose the curriculum I see fit for them. I am considering homeschooling on my own but we'll see how this year goes. I will be ordering Singapore though, seems like a great choice.
Angelica Coria thank you! And props to you for being flexible and making changes for your kids! We almost did a hybrid school this year, but they didn’t have space for my oldest and I was devastated! But then I remembered how I had specifically prayed that God shut the door on that if it wasn’t best for us this year... and He did. It’s such a faith journey this homeschool thing... 😉
Here I am worrying about ruining my kids searching for a good math program because the job my 10 year old wants he needs to know up to algebra. I needed!! This video
I have been homeschooling since day 1 ten years ago with my first 4 year old. Seven kids later...my first two children read at age 3-4, lots of sounding out... simple addition etc...fast forward to kid 3....he read at age 7, never struggled, never sounded out words.... began third grade teaching textbooks with very little math background prior to that.
Amazing!! I adore hearing stories like this that highlight how different each child is and how learning can be beautiful and almost effortless when the timing is right! 👍🏼
Julie Quates we are! I absolutely still stand behind MM 100%. It is quite advanced so we started a grade earlier than their current grades and worked up to our current grade. We are now on our second year of MM. My youngest is doing 2A while my oldest is doing 3A. What are you not enjoying about MM?
@@thehabeshaherbalista I'd like more direction on how to teach it. Like a script for the day as I feel a bit lost.. I love the simplicity and her game suggestions. We finished up 1 A&B this year just fine. I'm more tempted with Singapore because of their Singapore Live website which seems like a great support. I'm still not sure though. So many options.
You’re so right! Later is better! Lots of parents put their kids in preschool because they’ve been told a lie that their child needs it. Also both parents are working today so they drop their kids off at daycare and feel better about their choice of working of their child is being “educated” that early. Ridiculous!
I would love to read more about the research mentioned in the intro. Is the research available on the internet? If not, who did the research and when? (It is hard for me to reference it to others not knowing the details of the research) I hope to find it and get a good understanding of the powerful possibilities revealed by such a discovery!
you should include a list of the items you recommended for teaching math, "the math games". I could use some pointers on homeschooling a preschooler, kindergarten and first grade! first time mamma here, haven't started yet but I bought the entire Abeka curriculum for them. eek
Andrea Knowlton we’ve honestly found our math games alllll over the place. Garage sales, ebay... We love the board game “Allowance” for sure for learning to count money. But I feel like board games in general are just awesome for young kids- it’s hard to go wrong. Pull out the Sorry game and even that is educational for littles! Good luck on your homeschool journey!! Keep it fun- don’t feel like to have to do all the curriculum! 🤗
I found some on Amazon and at Bella Luna Toys online store. We use them to warm up the mind before math lessons. Just search "math games for (age)" and a bunch pop up. We also use the book Family Math, I found second hand on a curriculum swap page on Facebook but it's available on Amazon too.
Haha, when I homeschooled my now adult daughter, people always asked how homeschooling was going. My answer was always, it’s great, but there are days we both go to our rooms crying 🤣
Public schools don't usually use spiral math they use mastery. Neuroscience shows that spiral learning in math is what's needed for long term memory and recall. Sure, the spiral method can feel uncomfortable, but that doesn't mean that it's not working. Another thing neuroscience shows is that difficulty makes long term learning and recall better. So, if you make math learning easy and comfortable - in the long run that will hinder learning. Another thing I continually hear from homeschool moms is "Abeka is too much busy work" and " once my child learns it we stop practicing it". Both of these are faulty thinking when it comes to long term memory. Busy work (as they call it) is repetition that requires recall. Repeated Recall ensures proper learning. And just because the child recalls the correct answer a couple of times - that doesn't mean that they know it and will remember it later. If you really want to help your child read a book like Make it Stick, which summerizes and explains the neuroscience of learning.
Thank you so much for this video, the comparisons really helped and answered a lot questions I had. I look forward to watching your future videos. PS.. Any recommendations for learning to read curriculums?
The Mofley Crew we have been using Saxon with the oldest. We started it to just get her caught up in school but we started homeschooling her now and are thinking a change is needed. She is in 5th so we are just worried we need to start sticking with one pretty soon.
M D Maybe show her some sample pages of a few different curriculums! Math U See has RU-vid tutorials as well. If she hates Saxon I would check out Math U See and Teaching Textbooks... the latter is not advanced at all and some students start in the next grade up- but it is very engaging and not as teacher intensive. 😊 Best of luck!!
In your opinion, could someone do math u see for "1st and 2nd" then switch to teaching textbooks at 3rd? Currently using Saxon K and 2 and my experience with my 2nd grader makes me want to discontinue Saxon for my k guy.
I totally think you can do that! Honestly, I used to worry sooo much about switching around curriculums with math... and now I don’t think it matters much at all- especially in lower grades! Just find something that makes sense for your kids and that makes learning fun! 👍🏼
Great video; really helpful! Do you know where we can find the research you mentioned on "un-mathed" HS students learning K-12 math in 8 weeks and teaching children to read in 30 hours? That's mind-blowing, and I'd love to read more about it.
@@themofleycrew4367 I’m looking into this but still haven’t found any mention of a study. I need to find this to help convince my husband to let our kids take a different path. Do you happen to have a link you can post?
So, technically TT is considered a spiral approach- review is built into every lesson. But, in my opinion, it has some concepts from both. Making the switch was really easy for all of my kids and I’ve heard the same from other families!
Hi, thanks for the video! Can I ask what you searched on eBay for the math counting rods? Are they specifically from Math U See? I think the manipulative will hells my kids.
Luv Dee3 Mine are not the Math U See brand- but I think if you search that on Ebay some off brands will pop up as well. Math U See has really nice ones if you can find a good price tho!
Yonela Lavisa I feel like it works well for left and right brainers! My oldest daughter is very right brain and she likes getting to choose an avatar to give her tips and cheer for her when she gets the answer right! I also think typing in the answers is more fun for them than writing in a textbook 😊
