Here’s what is working for me right now: doing math in public places. Homeschoolers don’t need to do all the academics at home. One of my children has built up some fear and anxiety about math. Taking this child into a public place to do math is our key to success. Being away from home means the child is more committed to completing the one hour of study (since getting home is an “event” that involves a car ride.

Developing mastery in math may feel like the wobbly balance of standing on one leg. Frequently, while approaching more advanced math, the student may tip and topple, but this teetering is actually necessary. It allows the shortcomings to be reveled and so they may become strengthened. The most beautiful thing (and the most challenging thing!) about learning math is that all previous math that has been learned is reviewed. As your student advances to more challenging topics, they may think, “oh, no!

The Lady Tasting Tea: How Statistics Revolutionized Science in the Twentieth Century by David Salsburg While Algebra and Calculus can leave students frustrated, Statistics is a different type of mathematics, and can be a refreshing change, especially when it is presented in a creative and compelling format. This book by medical statistician David Salsburg, does just that. The book takes its title from the story of a summer tea party in Cambridge, England, where a woman stated she could tell the difference between tea poured into milk and milk poured into tea.