TMBH 91: How to Transform Math Lessons without Changing your Curriculum with Denise Gaskins

10 Minutes to a Better Homeschool

In this episode of "Ten Minutes to a Better Homeschool," host Pam Barnhill and guest Denise Gaskins, veteran homeschool mom and author of a dozen playful math books like, Let's Play Math, How Families Can Learn Together and Enjoy It, and Math You Can Play delve into the world of homeschool math education. Denise shares five essential tips to transform math lessons without the need for a complete overhaul of the curriculum.

The episode covers the vital role of fostering mathematical thinking and reasoning in children, rather than solely focusing on right answers. Denise emphasizes the importance of shifting the goal of math education from achieving correct answers to encouraging children to think critically about math concepts.

If you’re seeking actionable advice to enhance your child's math learning experience at home, then tune in for this informational and empowering episode.

Key Takeaways:

• Focus on the thinking process in math rather than just getting the right answers, to help children make sense of math and reduce frustration.
• Encourage children to think creatively and resourcefully about math problems, rather than telling them what to do, to engage their problem-solving skills and natural creativity.
• Utilize stories to build understanding in math, as they help children visualize and comprehend abstract number calculations, making math concepts more relatable and understandable.
• Empower parents to make decisions about math curriculum and resources, and emphasize the importance of exploring different areas of math based on children's interests and readiness, rather than feeling constrained by a linear progression.
• Emphasize the use of math games to engage children in practicing and applying math skills, promoting strategic thinking rather than just rote memorization, to make math enjoyable and enhance learning.

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to https://pambarnhill.com/how-to-transform-math-lessons-without-changing-your-curriculum-with-denise-gaskins/

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