As a homeschool consultant, I get asked for ideas for math that would be consistent with a Charlotte Mason approach to learning. One of the keys to a CM approach to math isn’t dependent so much on the “brand” of the book, but on the approach and the “why” (because as you have often heard me say, Your WHY impacts your WHAT and your HOW).
What does Charlotte Mason say about math learning? This interview with Sonya Shafer and friends is enlightening! We aren’t setting out to raise “math learners” but children who can see the order of God and his patterns in all of life — who then are math learners! In fact, children who start math “book learning” at a very young age are more likely to be math averse later in life than those who are introduced to math concepts and patterns in nature and everyday living — doesn’t mean they aren’t learning mathematical concepts, counting, and such in kindergarten, but not necessarily worksheet based (at least not yet).
Rather than teaching to a test, introducing the “why” of a concept before the “how” can give your student the motivation to learn and a hook on which to hang his learning. It could even be as simple as reading a bit of a biography of a mathematician and how he used math in his life or to solve a specific problem, to inspire your student to investigate that. For preschool through primary, check out Everyday Math for Young Learners.
For everyday activities that introduce and reinforce math concepts and learning, check out Everyday Activities to Reinforce Math Skills — from setting the table to measuring, to telling time and budgeting and math games, and more.
Miquon math (in the early years) introduces a concept before introducing formal labels or symbols or notation — for example, children learn the concepts of fractions in pictures and in scenarios, or learn to multiply or divide by actually multiplying and dividing before the child sees mathematical symbols or notation. In upper levels, this could translate to a problem — relevant to the student — that needs to be solved. Maybe he wants to paint his room (or you use the example of someone who does) and you look into what math concepts would help figure the area of the room to then select the appropriate quantity of paint. Or he needs to double or triple a cookie recipe….
I know a middle school student who picked up an algebra book on her own because she needed to know some of the concepts to pursue game theory (because she played Minecraft with her cousins). Learning the math concepts was relevant to her, so she was motivated to explore and apply.
And a goal of math in a CM approach is mastery, allowing the student to move at his own pace. So the book or material you use isn’t as critical as the mindset that the student will question, investigate, explore, learn how to solve a problem, then apply this new knowledge to move forward on the continuum of learning. A traditional style can still work if it’s comfortable for the student and allows him to move at his own speed and apply it.
Many proponents of a CM education will also recommend studying geometry in tandem with algebra, rather than in sequence. The earlier third edition (non-Houghton Mifflin) Saxon math does just that — there is not a separate geometry text for that very reason.
A few suggested materials:
- Math on the Level (he may already be beyond this, but it is a mastery-based program)
- Learn Math Fast
- Life of Fred Math
- Principles of Mathematics
- The Sir Cumference series
- The Key-To Series for mastery of each math topic
- The Charlotte Mason Elementary Arithmetic series
- The Art of Problem Solving
- Math-U-See upper levels
- Saxon math (While this is a spiral program, it can work if you still work toward mastery and possibly shorten problem sets – we did odds & evens!)
- Ray’s Arithmetic
- VideoText algebra
- CTC Math
- Denison Math
- Shiller Math
- Right Start Math
These can all be compatible with a Charlotte Mason approach. You may also find suggestions through www.amblesideonline.org or Cathy Duffy’s review site.
(Some links above may be affiliate links; your price is not impacted but I may make a few cents per item to help keep our site up!)
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Other posts you may appreciate:
- Everyday Math for Young Learners
- Everyday Activities to Reinforce Math Skills
- When Math Doesn’t “Add Up” for Your Child
Some books for you (as a homeschool parent) that may be encouraging:
- The Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson (short but powerful; I read the whole book while my banana bread baked)
- Also by Durenda: The Four-Hour School Day
- Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson
- Project-Based Homeschooling (Mentoring Self-Directed Learners) by Lori Pickert
