A Mathematical Journey

My daughter (12 years) and I have been going on a math journey every (school) day since the new year. Both of us are trying to change our paradigm about mathematics, but for different reasons. She has a mindset that math is difficult for her and I, having loved math in school, am trying to see math in a more holistic, artistic sense.

We began by reading "A Mathematician's Lament" by Paul Lockhart (I should note that the friend that recommended these resources to me mentioned there is a reference to something inappropriate but I didn't notice it since my daughter was reading and it went over her head--thought I'd give you a heads up though). We both enjoyed it again probably for different reasons. She liked the dialogue and big words and I enjoyed his refreshing perspective on math.

We are also reading some wonderful resources that have helped us to enjoy doing math together.

Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks by Arthur Benjamin is a great way to instantly increase the confidence of a child who knows her basic facts.

We do one puzzle a day from Entertaining Mathematical Puzzles by Martin Gardner. It has been good for us to talk through the puzzles and even if we don't get it right, we feel good about exploring all the options we can think of first and then seeing how it should be solved.

Lastly we read from The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures by Malba Tahan. My daughter LOVES to read so this has been fun to follow their adventures. We don't always figure out all the math but she enjoys the story so I am focusing on exposure.

I hesitate to mention this one but since I feel like it has helped me think in a new way, I should mention I started to read The Thirteen Books of the Elements, Vol. 1: Books 1-2 by Euclid on my own. Before you get too impressed, I should clarify that I have only read the definitions which is a little over a page! However, just pondering on the meaning of the first definition broadened my mind. And I am holding onto the belief that if we lead out, our children will follow.

(A great article on some math resources can be found at tjed.org.)

Since we've begun our mathematical journey, I am looking at things in a new way. Particularly in the scriptures, I have noticed mathematical concepts. Today while studying to teach Sunday School, I noticed a pattern. I looked the word pattern up on dictionary.com and didn't find a satisfactory definition so I pulled out my Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary and this is what I found:

Pattern--An original or model proposed for imitation; the archtype; an exemplar; that which is to be copied or imitated, either in things or in actions; as in the pattern of a machine; a pattern of patience. Christ was the most perfect pattern of rectitude, patience and submission ever exhibited on earth.

Suddenly, mathematical concepts came jumping out at me all during church. A man spoke of the sequence of things, there were symbols in a vision, I recognized a dichotomy of ideas (a distribution of ideas by pairs), etc. It is as if God uses the language of mathematics to get our attention, to tell us THIS IS IMPORTANT--DO THIS! I feel like an infant exploring the rudimentary elements of life but my desire and capacity to learn, ponder and search is being magnified and increased. My paradigm is shifting...

Here Are A Few Of My NEW Favorite Things

There are several really WONDERFUL things about this picture.

• First, I now have my very own CLASSROOM! It has been soooo nice to have a space set apart for learning. It seems to set the mood for hitting the books helping keep my children's attention. I have switched from nomad homeschooling to a homesteader style : )

• Notice behind the studious people there are IKEA bookshelves that contribute to my sanity and organization. Yay! Happy space, happy price.

• Please note my two oldest children studying diligently (and willingly I might add) with their grandfather. You may want to be seated for this next part...they are studying MATH! Grandparents and other relatives have so much to offer in way of enriching our children's education. Take advantage of your resources!

I will add another view of our classroom to point out a couple more of my new favorite things...

• Posters are a great way to "inspire, not require" learning. Earlier this year I bought two posters at a museum and they have been the best investment. My children love to read, memorize, talk about, make up stories about the facts listed on these posters. Even my two-year old points to mammals and asks me to name them.

• I'm not sure where I read this idea but I love it! All along three walls of our school room I put up some butcher paper to make a time line of the history of the world. We only have a handful of events on there, but already I have seen how it helps to order historic events in my mind. My children actually get excited when we come across a date when studying history.

Not pictured is a white board that has helped not only as a way of explaining a concept but also encourages art, writing, self-expression. I feel like I am getting closer to my vision of home education. I would love to hear other tips that have helped you!

Inspired Anew

I have been trying to get back into the habit of posting since I got my "new" (really my husband's old) laptop. Yay! I am working on being disciplined with my time so I need to schedule this back into my life. I have been learning so much from so many places...I need to share!

Since this is an illegal computer time for me : ), I thought I would make this short. This morning I had to take care of some family business on the computer so after morning devotional I needed an activity that would keep the kids busy AND learning. I found this fun list of 101 Ideas to Add Spice to Your Homeschooling Days.

I gave the kids some blank address label stickers cut in half and sent them to the kitchen pantry to play store. They decide the value of each item and they have monopoly money and change to buy and sell with. I allow them to check their math with the calculator which makes it more store-like. Wow it's quiet and everyone (even the baby!) is happy. What else do I need to get done?...

Mooooore Graphin' Fun

If you are interested in the noble knight, it came from

GRID AND GRAPH IT GR 4-6.
Here is a drawing I copied and figured out myself. We dubbed it Cool Cow. DOWNLOAD FILE

Your kids can create their own design, plot the points and challenge you to complete it. One of our children is working on "Courageous Cat". The possibilities are endless!

The Perfect Project

I don't know about you but as soon as February hit this year, I was dreaming of planting a garden. I had the BEST idea! The children could make the garden THEIR project. I got out the graph paper and I taught them all about the horizontal and vertical axes, quadrants and coordinates.

They made designs including plotting points on the graph to make a noble knight.

It seemed like a hit! Then we tromped through the snow with some coaxing and measured our garden plot. With still more coaxing, we all drew maps of our garden plot on graph paper all the while the children were listening to mom blissfully talk about all the wonderful vegetables and flowers we could plant this year. Pretty soon mom looked around and noticed she was talking to herself... Apparently their project was really MY project.

Well spring has FINALLY sprung. When it came down to it, playing in the dirt was all the inspiration they needed...