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     Cindy Short and Sue Welch, editors

Table of Contents
Three-Part Series on The Basics
     Part 3:  Math
     A.    5 Ways To Begin Teaching Math to Your Young Child
     B.    3 Elements of Teaching Math
     C.  12 Math Objectives
     D.    6 Steps for Solving Story Problems
     E.  16 Online Math Resources
     F.    8 Ways To Teach Higher Math
Recommended Resources
     "Under God": America's Spiritual Battle
     Christ-Centered Math (K4 - 1st)
     Watkins Family Business
     Pattern Central
     Math-U-See: Manipulative-Based K-12 Math Curriculum
     Digital Learning: Math Classes on DVD
     Measure Match: Memory Game
Sunnyside Up: Humorous Anecdote

Greetings,

     Along with our math basics in this issue are some great math
resources including beginning math, manipulative-based math,
math classes on DVD, and a game to teach math measurements.
     We trust that your family will enjoy learning math together!

Cordially,
Pat, Sue, Heather, Holly, and Brian Welch
The Teaching Home is a 24-year-old, home-school family business.

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____________________________________________________

Editor's Note.  Great for teaching our American Christian
heritage and preparing for Thanksgiving.

Stories of America's Spiritual Battle
Told in New Book, Under God
by Toby Mac and Michael Tait with Wallbuilders
     Using unforgettable accounts of both famous
and little-known Americans, Under God tells the
stories of men and women of faith who forged
our nation. Against these stories of light, the
authors also examine the dark side of America's
legacy so that a new generation might seek God's face and avoid
repeating the sins of the past, for it is only under God that there
will truly be "liberty and justice for all."
http://www.undergodthebook.com
____________________________________________________

Three-Part Series on The Basics
Part 2:  Math
     The three Rs (Reading, 'Riting, and 'Rithmetic) are basic
skills.  They must be thoroughly mastered in order for children
to acquire, use, and communicate knowledge in other subjects.
     These basics must also be constantly reviewed, and used, so
that they are retained.

A.  5 Ways To Begin Teaching Math
      to Your Young Child
     There are several steps you can take to help your young
child make math a natural part of his everyday life.

1. Hearing Numbers
 *  Let your child hear you counting plates, making change,
     comparing prices, and measuring, to show him that math is
     practical.

2. Saying Numbers
 *  After your child has heard you counting for some time, have
     him say the numbers with you.
 *  Later, teach your child to count by 2s, 3s, 5s, and 10s.
 *  Also, teach your child to count backwards.

3. Associating Numbers with Objects
 *  As you count blocks, help him touch each one.
 *  Pose a simple problem such as "There are four of us. If
     Grandma comes to lunch, how many plates do we need?"
 *  Play games that involve counting, such as moving his marker
     in a board game.

4. Working with Numbers
 *  Let children help measure, double, or halve a recipe while
     cooking.
 *  Let children make, read, and/or follow a measured plan for
     constructing an item out of cloth, wood, beads, paper, yarn, etc.

5. Studying Math
 *  Make math a priority in daily study, early in the day.
 *  Minimize distractions.
 *  Stay with your child as he works to help him over any hurdles
     in new concepts.
____________________________________________________

Christ-Centered Math (K4 - 1st).  Visual, auditory, and hands-on.
Each new skill builds upon the previous instruction. Spiritually and
academically exciting! http://www.ChristCenteredCurriculum.com

Why not start your own Watkins business?  Excellent
products, residual income, great discount, fun family biz!  Visit
http://www.tsginfo.com (code MR6296) Low to no start-up cost.
____________________________________________________

B.  3 Elements of Teaching Math
     In order to teach math effectively and efficiently, balance
these components of instruction:

1. Present Math Concepts
     Use objects and situations encountered in everyday life to
show both the need for math and how it works.
 *  Demonstrate number quantities, fractions, and math operations
     using blocks, measuring tools, clocks, coins, and other
     purchased or homemade manipulatives.
 *  Continue to use concrete visual aids that involve seeing,
     touching, and moving objects whenever possible to introduce
     new concepts (even in algebra and geometry).

2. Practice Math Mechanics
     Practice the mechanics of math operations and procedures
intensively until your child thoroughly masters them.
 *  While he is still young, have your child memorize and review
     the math facts (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
     division) so that his recall is instantaneous.  These facts are
      the foundation for success in any math work.
 *  After your child masters a new concept and demonstrates
     dependable accuracy, have him practice with timed drills to
     gradually increase his speed.  This will help him in both
     practical application and in testing situations.
 *  Teach, practice, and review daily the basic math operation
     skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) in
     the areas of whole numbers, fractions, decimals,
     measurements, and (later) algebraic expressions.

3. Apply Math Skills
     Apply math skills regularly in everyday situations and
realistic story problems.
 *  Spend ample time and effort to make sure your child is able
     to use his math skills in practical ways.
____________________________________________________

Inventory Reduction Sale!
     Buy one fashion pattern,
get one free, your choice.
Find over 450 Sewing, Craft,
Quilt, Crochet, Knitting,
and Embroidery Patterns. New patterns, and old ones
you loved to sew are available.  Wholesale inquiries welcome.
http://patterncentral.com
____________________________________________________

C.  12 Math Objectives
     These objectives of math education are considered essential:

1. Problem Solving
     Be able to choose which math skills and procedures to use in
order to solve a problem and realize whether it could have
multiple or alternate solutions.

2. Communicating Mathematical Ideas
     Be familiar with the language and notation of mathematics.

3. Logical Reasoning
     Make a hypothesis (tentative conclusion) and understand that
even one counterexample (failure) disproves a hypothesis;
discriminate between valid and invalid arguments.

4. Applications
     See how mathematics is applied by translating everyday
situations into graphs, tables, diagrams, or mathematical
expressions and interpreting these; use of proportion, percent,
direct or inverse variation, and ratio.

5. Reasonableness
     Always check to see if an answer makes sense.

6. Estimation
     Be able to compute an estimated answer using mental
arithmetic, and to decide how precise an answer needs to be in
a given situation.

7. Computational Skills
     Be proficient in calculations with whole numbers, decimals,
and fractions and be able to decide whether to solve a problem
mentally, on paper, or with a calculator.

8. Algebraic Thinking
     Learn to use negative numbers, variables (represented by
letters), equations, and formulas; observe how one quantity
changes in relation to another.

9. Measurement
     Be able to understand and solve problems involving time,
temperature, distance, weight, angles, area, and volume.

10. Geometry
     Know terms such as "parallel," "perpendicular," "congruent,"
"similar," and "symmetrical."

11. Statistics
     Understand "mean," "median," "mode," "range," and "deviation;"
know how to collect and organize data; know the uses and misuses
of statistics.

12. Probability
     Learn basic principles of probability.
____________________________________________________

See and Understand
All Aspects of Math
with Manipulatives
 

     Math-U-See's complete award-winning manipulative-based,
K-12 math curriculum has been redesigned and improved! The
Introduction, Foundations, Intermediate, and Advanced levels have
been revised, reorganized, and expanded into eight levels: Primer,
Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, and Pre-Algebra.
Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, and Trigonometry are also available.
     A very satisfied user says, "Steve Demme explains concepts.
I wish he'd been my math teacher!"
     See articles and sample pages at http://www.mathusee.com.
____________________________________________________

D.  6 Steps for Solving Story Problems
     Because this skill is directly applicable to everyday life,
it is important to teach your child the steps involved in solving
a story or a real-life problem.

1.  Read
     Read or define the problem; get a general idea of what the
problem is about.

2.  Draw
     Draw a picture or diagram showing what you know and/or list
and label everything in the problem; decide which given
information is important and what information you are looking
for.

3.  Set Up
     Set up an equation, or equations, containing given information.
Use symbols that show relationships between known and unknown
quantities, and any applicable formulas.  This most crucial
step requires familiarity with the language of math (e.g., 2 x -3
= x + 4 means that three less than twice a number is equal to four
more than the number; the formula: d = rt means that the distance
traveled is equal to the rate [speed] multiplied by the time traveled).

4.  Solve
     Solve the equation using math facts and operations.

5.  Answer
     Answer the original question presented by the problem,
labeling all the quantities asked for in appropriate units.

6.  Think
     Think about your answer; be sure it make sense.  Sometimes
you can do a quick estimate with rounded-off numbers.
____________________________________________________

Video Class Room
Brings You
Math Classes on DVD
     These videotaped lessons originated
at Bob Jones University, through the BJ
HomeSat service.  Math courses include:
K-7, Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1 & 2, Geometry, and Precalculus.
Check out these and many more classes at
http://www.digitallearningnetwork.com
____________________________________________________

E.  16 Online Math Resources
General
   http://www.math.com
   http://www.gomath.com
   http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/math
   http://www.aaamath.com
   http://www.aplusmath.com
Math and Aeronautics
   http://www.planemath.com
Higher Math
   http://www.math2.org/index.html
   http://mathworld.wolfram.com
   http://www.quickmath.com
Math Art Gallery & Games
   http://www.math.kun.nl/knopen/art_gallery.html
   http://www.coolmath.com
   http://www.funbrain.comhttp://www.figurethis.org
Math Challenges
     http://www.figurethis.org/challenges/math_index.htm
     http://www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org/aunty/index.html
     http://www.mathacademy.com/pr/index.asp
     http://www.mathcounts.org

____________________________________________________

Measure Match:  A New
Memory Game Teaches
Common Measurements
     Simple and fun, this colorful card
deck contains 34 pairs of equivalent
time, length, weight, and volume
measurements. Optional levels for ages 4 and up.
Also learn colors, shapes, or words. $15 plus $3 S/H.
http://www.ImpresaPublishing.com
____________________________________________________

F.  8 Ways To Teach Higher Math
     There are several options available for teaching your child
higher math, whether or not you have learned it yourself.

1.  Learn It Yourself First
     As a mature and motivated adult, you may find it quite
possible and enjoyable to learn several levels of higher math
such as algebra and geometry, and in a fraction of the time it
takes in high school.

2.  Team Learning
     You and your child can learn together, working as a team and
helping each other over rough spots.

3.  Independent Learning
     Your child can study independently, using texts that present
concepts clearly.

4.  Correspondence or Online Courses
     These add accountability and feedback to independent study.

5.  Coach
     If your child needs immediate help, arrange for him to call
on you, a friend, a tutor, or even another student who can
explain whatever he is stuck on.

6.  Learning by Teaching
     Have your child teach you or another student what he is
learning.  This will help him learn better.

7.  Textbooks and Workbooks
     In addition to a good, solid textbook, consider using one or
more workbooks or texts from another source. Then if one does not
make sense to you on a specific topic, the other one might.

8.  Video or Computer Programs
     Math video courses that show a teacher presenting concepts
to a class can help.  Computer programs may also be valuable for
learning and/or practicing skills.
____________________________________________________

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Our Sponsoring Advertisers!
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____________________________________________________

Sunnyside Up:  Mindless Math
     As our 6-year-old daughter was working out math problems
with manipulative cubes, our 10-year-old daughter said to her,
"I used those cubes when I was in 1st grade. I didn't use my mind
until I was in 3rd or 4th grade."
     Submitted by Carol H., Florida.
____________________________________________________

God Loves You.
     Because we have been separated from God by sin, Jesus
Christ died in our place, then rose to life again.  If we trust Jesus
Christ as our Savior and Lord, He will give us eternal life.
     "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of
works, that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8, 9).
     http://www.TeachingHome.com/about/Salvation.cfm
____________________________________________________

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