What if my student is struggling or behind? What if I’m not qualified?
IF YOU’RE WORRIED
In this section of our site, we want to address some of the most common questions and concerns we get from parents. Let’s jump right in!
What if my child is struggling and doesn't fully grasp a concept?
No matter what curriculum you are using, there can be a strong pull to slow down as soon as the student starts to struggle with an idea. This can lead to no forward progress, stagnation, frustration, and a hatred of math.
If There Is Some Understanding,
Keep Moving On!
Often, with time and repeated exposure, the ideas will begin to click for students.
If you are using our guides, we cover the same idea year after year, approaching it from different viewpoints and angles. So if one year the idea doesn’t click, it may just click the next year!
Also, if you reach the bringing it home symbol in our guides for an idea, it’s time for you to get extra help – otherwise, keep going!
If your student cannot grasp the idea at all, change topics and return to it at a later time. Math isn’t one linear ladder. It is more like a climbing wall. There are so many paths one can take to progress.
Strategies for Reviewing Hard Concepts
When it comes to tackling hard concepts, there is a balance between building in review and taking breaks. Do not stall out and fixate on one idea!
Build In Daily Review
When one type of problem is challenging for the student (like long division), and you need to continue on, but the idea isn’t quite solid yet, practice just one of these these problems before most of your lessons.
Ease Into Mastering the Idea
You can break down mastering an idea by slowly transferring ownership to the student.
Start by having the student demonstrate the idea with manipulatives, while you do all the writing. Then ease into transferring the writing responsibility to the student.
Take Advantage of the Review Days
In our guides, the review days are also catch-up days! Do not feel guilty about skipping them if you need more time to complete a lesson.
A Final Reminder
If your child hates math lessons, you need to do something different. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in to meet your unique person. He will be faithful!
Remember, no matter what curriculum you are using – DO NOT stall out! Keep going forward!
What if we are behind the suggested pacing of the Beauty & Truth Math Guides?
When students need to make up some ground at a quicker pace, we like to share some tidbits.
First, confirm that you need to pick up the pace by checking where you are at against our Scope and Sequence. Make sure you check out the Flexible Options section!
Once you know that you need to pick up the pace, implement some of the following ideas. Please don’t feel that you have to do all of these. Just choose what may work well for your student.
- You can skip the catch-up/review days if your student understands and is doing well.
- Skip any lesson that you know your student knows. A good way to double-check is by having your student answer just the student response section of a lesson.
- Combine any lessons you can and do 1.5-2 lessons whenever your student can handle it. The easiest lessons to combine are numbered covering the same idea, i.e., Fractions, Pt. 1, Fractions, Pt. 2, etc.
- Some ideas can be completed in the afternoon, while your student is helping with cooking. A lesson doesn’t have to be completed precisely how we have it laid out, so if you can cover an idea outside the lesson time, go for it!
What if I, the Teacher, Am Not Qualified?
First, if you are already doing a Charlotte Mason education, you’re using mathematical thinking by creating a schedule. 😊
Second, you can learn right alongside your student! We have written our math guides with maximum parent support in mind, offering thorough hand-holding to help families present ideas using Charlotte Mason’s approach and teaching style.
Finally, and most important, take heart that you and your children have the Holy Spirit as your teacher! Then, address your fears head-on, being honest with the Lord and your child. God can redeem your math education through this!