Constructivist Math

Here is a link to a great video. It explains, in plain language and with examples, the “constructivist” math programs hindering our special education students (and many others).  Investigations Math, taught in our local public school system, was a disaster for both of my children but especially my son. I am now teaching my homeschooled son pre-algebra  in conjunction with mastering long division and fractions, and having great success with traditional methods. My daughter, who is in a private school, is being tutored after school so she can catch up. From the time they were in 4th grade they were bringing home work we could not understand or help them with and we have 3 degrees between us, two in engineering. I argued against these programs for years without success and they are still being used.

There is much disagreement about these programs and I know that some homeschooling parents use Everyday Math and consider it a success.  These programs have been anything but for us.

If you’d like to understand more – just watch the video.

Adventures in Electronics

This is my son’s latest project from Quality Kits. They sell small, inexpensive electronics kits for your kids to build!  These kits teach basic circuitry and are a fun diversion. They come bagged with all the necessary parts and instructions. They do require your own soldering iron, solder and batteries. They are so inexpensive kids can purchase them from their allowance or chore money. I’ll be posting photos of other projects like alarms and lighting controls. Who knows what will spring up around my house!

Science is what we love *MOST* of all!

Today we took our first field trip of the year. We went to the MOST aka The Museum of Science and Technology. My son proved to me that he really does understand plate tectonics and our local, interesting, geology. Our area used to be an inland sea and as a result we’ve been left with saline aquifers. The salt industry was big here a few generations ago! You can still smell it in the air in certain areas when atmospheric conditions are just right.

My favorite exhibit was the butterfly film. I learned things about lepidoptera that I did not know before. We watched the gigantic Rube Goldberg machine for awhile. We checked out a film on scuba diving in glacial lakes, the ones actually in living, moving glaciers! There’s also a planetarium and an IMAX theater but we skipped them this trip. I discovered that the museum offers teaching guides to go with the IMAX films. They’re a great resource which I intend to make use of. Check them out!

Trips like this are so much fun. My son spontaneously tells me things I had no idea he knew. We have a change to chat over lunch and it’s a good stress reliever. Get out there and visit your museums!