Math is not included on the Cycle pages because math does not change with the memory work. The curriculum that has been scheduled for STAR homeschool so far is:
- Math U See
- Life of Fred
- Right Start Math
- Teaching Textbooks
- Singapore Math
You are welcome to use any math curriculum you choose. Just make sure to get a little done each day–a lesson, or a few pages, or whatever ends up getting you through the program in about a year’s time.
Math is not my favorite of all of the school subjects, but it is necessary. When my children were little, I could have spent all day reading history and literature aloud These are beautiful subjects! At some point, we decided that it would be best if my husband, who has a degree in Electrical Engineering, was their math teacher, because he was passionate about it. Math became a 7 am subject in our household, and he taught them using Math U See. In high school years, our children have moved on to Teaching Textbooks, which they can do with a little less guidance.
We now have two boys in college, and I realize the importance of staying on track with math and getting through the high school math levels at the right time. Do math diligently every school day, and you’ll be able to fill out a transcript properly when the time is right.
If your child is struggling…
While some kids seem to have a “math brain,” others really struggle with the subject. Our oldest son had a difficult time, and it took him 1.5 to 2 years to get through each math level. By the time he graduated, he did not have all of his high school math completed. It was okay though, because he is diligent and was willing to keep doing the work. We helped him apply for online college, which did not have as many requirements as the residential program. While he took online classes, he continued doing Teaching Textbooks at home. Eventually, he finished high school math and then went on to take a required college math course and did fine. He is now a junior in college, has transferred to the residential program with a major that is not math-heavy, and is on the Dean’s List. He is thriving! I share this story to encourage you, mama! Some days, I would teach him a concept, and then open up the book the very next day and he could not remember a single thing he had learned the day before. It felt like a daunting task to get him to learn basic math! I can say, in hindsight, keep pressing forward, and it’s going to be okay. Also see my blog post Homeschooling a Child Who Fights It.