Discovering the Joy of Math in Homeschooling with Katherine Gomes
Homeschooling is a unique journey filled with opportunities to tailor education to each child’s needs. Recently, Katherine Gomes, author of Apologia’s Exploring Creation with Math series, joined us on our podcast, Let’s Talk Homeschool. Her insights are not only enlightening but also resonate deeply with the heart of homeschooling.
Katherine’s Journey
Katherine’s passion for homeschooling springs from her own experiences. Having been homeschooled and later transitioning into public school teaching, she realized the immense flexibility homeschooling offers. It was this freedom to adapt and innovate that drove her to craft a math curriculum specifically for homeschool families—one that allowed them to customize and evolve their teaching methods to fit their children’s individual learning styles.
Making Math Meaningful
At the core of Katherine’s curriculum is a three-step learning approach: concrete, pictorial, and abstract. She believes in starting with hands-on activities—like using Monopoly money to understand division—before moving to visual representations and finally, the abstract math. This method has proven to be not just effective, but also engaging, giving students a tactile and visual experience.
The curriculum masterfully combines the best of both worlds: focusing deeply on individual concepts while still offering day-to-day skills practice. This mix ensures that kids not only learn but also retain knowledge in a refreshing way.
Boosting Confidence in Math
Katherine uses an approach with a goal of boosting mathematical confidence in students. She believes math should be fun, and when learning becomes enjoyable, confidence naturally follows. Whether it’s breaking out a new game or re-contextualizing a tricky concept, Katherine encourages families to keep math lively and stress-free.
Courage to Change
For those contemplating a change in their math curriculum, Katherine offers reassurance: You don’t need to be a math expert to facilitate learning. With the right resources, even parents who aren’t naturally inclined towards math can guide their children effectively. The key is to view math as a fun, solvable puzzle rather than a chore.
Looking Forward
Katherine sees a future where homeschoolers are increasingly empowered to tailor their education, thanks to expanding resources like online courses and technology. And speaking of new resources, this spring marks the launch of a new skills book for fifth- and sixth-graders. It’s designed to make math practice more convenient and portable, ideal for busy homeschool days.
Wrapping Up
Homeschooling doesn’t mean going it alone. With resources like this curriculum, homeschooling math can be both effective and joyful—a shared journey of discovery for parents and children alike.
For more insights and support, check out Katherine on Instagram @HomeschoolMathMom.
