S6E139: Why We Need To Get Rid of The Math Worksheets and Use Problem Solving and Board Games Instead ~Gord Hamilton

Why We Need To Get Rid of The Math Worksheets and Use Problem Solving and Board Games Instead

Math.

What feelings does that word bring up for you? Are they warm and fuzzy? Does it put a big smile on your face remembering all of the fun math lessons, problems and homework that you did?

Or does the word MATH bring about feelings of anxiety? Worry? Fear?

It is surprising how much weight a 4 letter word like MATH can hold. Often it's not actually the word MATH, but the memories associated with it. And if those memories are not kind or good but disheartening and shameful, then how do you approach MATH with your kids?

Homeschooling Math.

Unschooling Math.

I get questions about this often. How should I approach Math in our home learning environment, especially if I don't feel comfortable in the subject? Or even excited about it.

That's why I invited Gord Hamilton to the podcast.

Gord Hamilton is a father of two teenagers—professionally best known for his board games like Santorini and as the director of MathPickle.com (A fantastic Math resource)

The puzzles that he creates are easy to understand for elementary school students, but educators and mathematicians will find them engaging as well.

In This Episode

I have had the pleasure of hearing Gord speak about the absolute joy and fun he has with math. In fact, it's hard not to become excited about Math just listening to him.

Gord's honest, kind and passionate approach to learning Math needs to be heard more. "There is no need for math to be boring. So why even go there with our kids?"

In this episode we explore:

• What is great mathematics?

• Why Math should be hard

• Board Games and Problem Solving~Throw out the curriculum, don't kill yourself over the boring stuff and focus on Board Games, a celebration of problem solving

• Why we should abolish math in elementary school and replace it with problem solving

• Getting away from the emphasis on memorization

Gord is here to support the homeschooling community. He encourages us to reach out to him! You can find him at his website https://mathpickle.com/ which is filled with games, puzzles and board game recommendations.

So before you go out and spend countless dollars on a boring memorization heavy Math Curriculum with a ton of worksheets- I encourage you to try to get your family in to a MATH PICKLE instead.

Looking for more support in your homeschool and unschooling journey? I've Got You!

My next Master Class, Homeschooling With Purpose begins October 2nd. Contact me with questions or to get on the waitlist. If you are already connected with me and are ready to be part of this wonderful group, go HERE to sign up.

*This is a small group Master Class. I keep it intentionally small so that each person feels comfortable, safe and supported. Please note that this masterclass is not about the best ways to replicate school at home. It is not a strict checklist that you must follow rigorously in order to mold your child into a perfect being in 30 days, 4 months or by the end of the school year. It’s about helping you and your family to feel more confident, address the doubts and naysayers, build community and learn how to look at your child’s uniq