Mathematics

MATH

WHY

“Of all his early studies, perhaps none is more important to the child as a means of education than that of arithmetic…The chief value of arithmetic, like that of the higher mathematics, lies in the training it affords the reasoning powers, and in the habits of insight, readiness, accuracy, intellectual truthfulness it engenders” 
–Charlotte Mason, Home Education, p 254

“A mathematician, like a painter or a poet, is a maker of patterns. If his patterns are more permanent than theirs, it is because they are made with ideas. The mathematician’s patterns, like the painter’s or the poet’s must be beautiful; the ideas, like the colors or the words must fit together in a harmonious way. Beauty is the first test: there is no permanent place in this world for ugly mathematics.”
-G.H. Hardy

“Why are numbers beautiful? It’s like asking why is Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony beautiful. If you don’t see why, someone can’t tell you. I know numbers are beautiful. If they aren’t beautiful, nothing is.” 
-Paul Erdos

LINE-UPON-LINE

Children learn basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division using real objects in real life situations. Parents make lots of counting materials available and allow children the freedom to play with them.
Sloyd is a handicraft; cutting and paper folding to create objects, much like origami. In the process of cutting and folding paper shapes, children are introduced (and become familiar) with geometry! A fun and important introduction to geometry.
Out-of-door geography and mapmaking is another concrete method of learning geometry. Children learn how to create a map of their house by finding lengh x width and scaling that down on graph paper, and so many other skills!
Practical geometry builds on geography and sloyd with more difficult, hypothetical questions. Preparing children for abstract geometry problems later on.
Advanced multiplication/division, fractions, decimals, etc. are all taught in arithmetic. Students learn how to communicate mathematical ideas with symbols, like bar graphs.
Your child may have already been introduced to a basic, concrete understanding of algebra through cooking or other activities. Remember, concrete before abstract! But they need to learn how to communicate those ideas on paper using formulas.
By the time students have reached geometry they should have a solid foundation in concrete geometry and will be able to understand abstract problems. Geometry will include graphing shapes, finding area of irregular shapes, etc.
The main reason in learning how to do algebra is not that each of us will be faced with algebraic problems in our life, but the skills we learn and the brainpower we strengthen as we learn how to solve these difficult problems.
Advanced math topics include: calculus, trigonometry, statistics and probability.

Download the curriculum guides for detailed instructions, booklists, and materials for each developmental stage. 

HOW TO TEACH

Coming Soon!

Study the resources below to understand why mathematics are important, what should be taught at teach age, and how they should be taught.

Remember to read the Simple Lesson Formula articles for details on how to teach each subject.

RESOURCES

  • Dice
  • Pattern Blocks
  • Popsicle sticks + Rubber Bands
  • Soduku Puzzles
  • Hundreds Chart
  • Abacus or Rekenrek
  • Beads or Felted Balls
  • Ruler
  • Egg Carton + Plastic Eggs
  • Tangrams
  • Cuisenaire Rods or Unit Blocks