This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting the Homeschool Compass by shopping through our page! Einstein once said, “Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” What an interesting concept! Math is poetry. In the same what that poetry is the masterful rhythm of composition, the intentional putting together of […]

Many of us have a complicated relationship with math. If you had a bad experience with math as a child, you’re probably worried about passing that reluctance on to your kids. Maybe you used a math program that didn’t suit your learning style. Your frustration doesn’t mean you are bad […]

I’m being perfectly honest when I say that calculus itself is not very hard. “What?!! Did he just say that?!” Yes, I said it. And it’s true. “But what about the horror stories? The sheer panic induced when even the word calculus is mentioned?” Well, the horror stories are also true. I […]

One of the great things about homeschooling is the ability to apply real-world applications to what your student is learning. I’ve discovered that if I would have known in school, what I know now, I would have paid more attention. The concepts I was learning in school were concepts that […]

 “The teacher pretended that algebra was a perfectly natural affair, to be taken for granted, whereas I didn’t even know what numbers were. Mathematics classes became sheer terror and torture to me. I was so intimidated by my incomprehension that I did not dare to ask any questions.” —Carl Gustav […]

Kindergarten Daily Helper Lapbook Sample As a homeschooling mom with sixteen years under my belt, math still makes me cringe! I loved teaching my four children history, science, and the arts. Each of these subjects I pored over each summer. Spending hours researching our field trips, experiments, and projects for the upcoming […]

In elementary school, I’d do pages of math worksheets—and ask for more! This was back when the copies were printed in blue and smelled of the peculiar ink used in the copy machines. There were no fun, colorful pages with pictures, just problem after problem of math—and I loved it! […]

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills have been dubbed the skills of the 21st century and can even be more desirable than a degree, according to some businesses. It is imperative that we help our children develop these sought-after abilities. Many publishers are trying to meet the demand, but how these […]

Fractions say, “I have an equivalent.” Fractions say, “Look at my denominator before you add.” Fractions say, “Look at my denominator before you subtract.” Fractions say, “Multiply numerator times numerator and denominator times denominator, in order to multiply.” Fractions say, “Invert the second term then follow rules for multiplication, if […]

Mental math is one of the most helpful skills one can acquire. Mental math frees you from feeling enslaved to a calculator. Mental math can make you feel powerful. Mental math saves time—it’s more efficient than paper-and-pencil arithmetic. Mental math is often “good enough” for an answer. And last but […]