How can I homeschool in math when I didn't do so well myself in school?

Question

I'm a math phobic. Never took higher math. My son 13 knows more that I do. How can I homeschool math? My husband is an engineer. Is it fair to get him to do the math with the kids or do I need to learn with them (funny, ha, ha!). I feel that I'm not smart enough but feel a burden to be their teacher.

Answer 1

Path Less Traveled hit is right on the money!
there are many things I felt I wasn't good at, but I learned right along with my kiddos, and it was awesome. I faced having to teach my son how to read and write (talk about a daunting task) and I struggled with higher math as well. The toughest part was when my daughter expected me to just magically know everything without even looking at it. (It's kinda sweet she thought so highly of me, but it almost killed me, lol)
the beauty of most homeschool materials is they are built to teach, meaning you will have what you need to understand the material. I have to say the main thing to look for when you choose a math curriculum is detailed solutions manuals for teachers. I used Saxon and it had answer keys, which was fine in the lower levels, but when we transitioned to Algebra, I went a different direction because I needed to be able to see HOW they got those answers. Made a huge difference. We used Video Text, but there are others.
Your husband will enjoy helping your children. My husband is very strong in math, and he liked being involved in this way.
My advice to you, in addition to the wonderful encouragement you've received is to make sure you know what your son is learning. Stay involved in the material so you don't find yourself "stuck" later on when he needs help and you don't know what he's doing. Just schedule in math time, sit down together and work through the material, together.
It will work, and it will be a great experience for you.

Answer 2

Saxon Math is absolutely the best way for a parent to really learn math. Every lesson is explained very clearly Go back to an easy level. Start with 54, progress to 65, then 76, then 87 -- that is probably the level your 13-year-old will be using. If he can read, he can understand it, especially if you do it together. If he is so far ahead that you can't catch up, rejoice! All of my oldest kids eventually went around me in math, except the one who is a writer. I'm so proud of them. Saxon includes solutions manuals for algebra and harder stuff. Go ahead and let your husband be the hero in the math department with the oldest. You learn with the younger ones. In thirty years of teaching and homeschooling, I learned far more when I had to teach it, than I ever did in college. And don't be afraid to hire a tutor if your husband is too busy, or they can't work together. Chemistry, biology, geometry, etc. are all coming up. You may not know everything in every subject. You may sometimes just have to be the one who makes it happen without doing it all. But you still have the joy of having your kids learning under your guidance. God bless.

Answer 3

Its okay if you don't like math. I hate it. My husband, on the other hand, is a math wiz so he teaches math to my children. If your husband can't find the time, look around the high school for a tutor. There is a student out there that would either like to earn a little extra pocket money or he/she would like some teaching experience because they want to be a teacher themselves. Or check out your local homeschooling group you might find someone that wouldn't mind helping you out. Its okay to find tutors and mentors for your kids. You can't do everything alone..who can?

Answer 4

There are some wonderful programs out there that will teach your son. Saxon Math is one. Chalk Dust is another. There are other programs, too. And, if you are willing to overcome your fear of math, you could try to learn along with them. You could even have your 13yo teach you, which would be a great way for him to really master every thing.

And no, it's not unfair to have your husband do the math. Many families split up who teaches what.

Answer 5

I definitely can empathize with your problem. I home school my sixteen year old son and the math almost killed me. I honestly didn't know how to do some of the required math so I found a friend who could show me so that I was able to get my son through it.

Answer 6

Many excel in math. But few are there indeed who excel in teaching it !

Teaching a subject to others is a fundamentally different talent from simply knowing the subject.

You demonstrate all the markers of one who teaches.

Not to worry. You shall carry well. Learning depends on teaching in order to be in the mode of learning. And teaching depends on learning to be in the mode of teaching. See?

The separation or distinction is an illusion. They are one but expressing differently depending on the occasion...

The two are inseparable. Yours is not a burden but a perception, a gift -- a potential untapped. That's all..

Your intention will provide both the learning and the teaching... Just you watch. Just watch this strange and beautiful chemistry carry. It just happens, for you have provided a void into which something greater does begin working...

Hmmm...'Care to wonder what that ' Something ' is ?

: Hint: LOVE...

Answer 7

look at getting a distance learning sort of thing (e.g. A Beka Books, Bob Jones University Home Sat). That works really well. I used the BJU Home Sat for 5 years. It's a great service. (p.s. I'm in 9th grade now, I used it from 4th-8th grade)

Answer 8

i don't comprehend of any college equipment that could enable each and every physique to abode college themselves. From the advice that l think of you mentioned lead me to have faith which you have been doing high-quality on your previous college then you definately moved and have been given left returned because of the fact the pupils have been extra useful, smarter and ore progressed then what they have been coaching on your previous college. Now that's as much as you to play capture up, you have not any techniques and via the years you would be happy you probably did.

Answer 9

I am homeschooled and 13 too!! i do Saxon Math and it is sooo easy to understand and is very self explanitory. I am usually pretty independent when it comes to math. my mom doesnt always get it either. you could also look into out classes. my science and spanish, and speech and logic are out classes. plus it's a fun way to meet people!!

Answer 10

Husband would probably love being deferred too. If he is too busy,then consider a tutor that is also a student.Some schools have homeschooler helpers.