I have spent some of the last few weeks studying up on the Quadrivium. I have a deep desire to teach these things as liberal arts–as arts which humanize, which contain truths worth knowing and delighting in. When it comes to math, I think that I was taught most math as if it were tricks to be known and done, often times without any deep understanding. I thought I didn’t like math until I was taught Algebra, at which a lot of the truth of math suddenly came alive for me.
That was when I understood and appreciated–dare I say fell in love with?–math.
I still think that teaching math is not my forte, which is quite frightening when I think that Charlotte Mason said that unlike literature and history, math depended more on the quality of the teacher than it did the textbook.
I am blessed to know of a few people who are quite gifted in this area, and I asked three of them to share with you next week during what I’m calling Math Week. First, we have upside-down math from Down Under {just kidding}, brought to you by Jeanne from A Peaceful Day, who is too humble tell you she is a brilliant scientist/geneticist {so I’m telling you}. Jeanne is going to share about Charlotte Mason’s philosophy on math and apply this to teaching elementary math.
Next, we’ll have the imminent Tammy Glaser from Aut-2B-Home in Carolina, who has not one but two degrees in mathematics. Lucky for us, she loves to talk about math. Tammy and Jeanne work together to moderate the math portion of the Ambleside Online Forum. She’ll give us some pointers on teaching which will apply at any age.
And, lastly, when I wanted to know more about teaching Euclid {which Charlotte Mason did for a time in the junior high ages, where it was treated as both geometry and logic}, I knew I needed to invite one of my favorite book club buddies of all time, Willa, who is always blogging somewhere but seems to be mostly at athelas these days. A number of her children have done Euclid before graduation, which more than qualifies her to enlighten us on this subject!
So here we are, with a full math lineup for next week. I hope you’re as excited as I am!
8 Comments
Looking forward to it!!
Julie
Hmmm. I am a scientist, and my husband often tells me that I am brilliant in many areas, but I cannot claim to have gained that accolade in the field of genetic science. Truly.
I am looking forward to Maths Week though!
I think you are brilliant, Jeanne, and I’m not just saying that. 🙂
Hallelujah! Looking forward to it! 🙂
The best part about the week is that we will hear from People Who Know, rather than I Who Philosophize. 🙂
Thank you for doing this — I feel like I almost completely failed at teaching my older kids math (the only reason it’s not a complete failure is that they don’t hate math, they’re just ignorant of it beyond the elementary level) and I’m trying to do better with my younger set. I’ve been studying up on it, but it’s slow going. Looking forward to your posts.
ooo. sounds good!
Wow, this sounds great. I will be watching for the upcoming math posts. I’m in the midst of high school math with my oldest child, and I’m eager for enlightenment. 🙂