The other day, a student was working on a multi-step problem. They knew the steps. But when they got to 18 + 7, they slowed down. You could see the mental wheels spinning. They counted on their fingers, got the answer, then moved on. Nothing major, right? But by the time they reached the end of the problem, they were frustrated by how long it had taken. This is the moment I see over and over again. It’s not that students don’t understand the concept. It’s that everything feels… slow. They...
about 2 months ago • 2 min read
Pi Day is one of the few holidays that math gets all to itself. Most kids think:Pizza.Pie.3.14. To celebrate, we created a Pi Day Freebie with 5 hands-on activities that go beyond celebrating the number. They help students experience it. Help students understand why the number matters. Download it here:Pi Freebie.pdf Inside you’ll find: A hands-on “Pi Toss” experiment that leads students to discover 3.14 for themselves. A visual exploration of polygons that quietly introduces big ideas about...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
One of my students fell behind recently. Not because she didn’t care.Not because the material was too hard. She had been sick on and off for a couple of weeks and missed some classes. When we started working together again, I asked a simple question: “Did you copy the class notes?” She hadn’t. Then she said something I hear all the time: “I can’t learn from notes. I need someone to go through it with me.” So we did something different. Instead of explaining everything again, I had her write...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
I hear this all the time when I talk with homeschool parents: “We’ll get to math later today.” And I get it. The day starts with good intentions. But then it unfolds. Errands, siblings, activities, unexpected distractions. By the time you look up, math has slipped to the bottom of the list. Most homeschool parents don’t skip math on purpose.They skip it accidentally. This isn’t about effort or caring. It’s about scheduling. Here’s the tough truth, said with a lot of love: Math doesn’t grow in...
2 months ago • 1 min read
A few weeks ago, I tried something a little unusual. I stayed off my computer and electronics for three days. No emails. No scrolling. No constant background noise. Just a pause. What surprised me most was not how much time I gained, but how clear my mind felt. Things felt calmer. I noticed when I needed a break. I could focus more easily. It got me thinking about our kids. Screens are a big part of their daily lives. They learn on computers, attend online classes, and use technology in ways...
2 months ago • 1 min read
By the time summer rolls around, most families are trying to balance many competing goals. You want your child to have fun during the summer while staying engaged with math, so they don’t forget what they have learned. That’s exactly what guided the design of our summer math classes this year. We have options that offer structure without rigidity and consistent support, built to fit real summer schedules. Summer Competition Math (Grades 1–8) Our summer competition math classes are now open...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes learning really matter. Not just finishing homework.Not just getting the right answer. But the kind of learning that stays with students because it connects to who they are. I recently read an article about what helps people feel truly fulfilled. One idea kept coming up again and again. People tend to find the most meaning when they feel a sense of purpose and contribution. That idea stayed with me, especially as I thought about math. Because...
3 months ago • 1 min read
I love to eat pineapple. But whenever I buy one from the store, I’m left with an odd itchiness in my throat. So I wondered—would growing my own pineapple eliminate that issue? I found out you can actually grow a pineapple plant from the top of a pineapple. In fact, pineapple plants love coffee, so it’s a great way to reuse coffee grounds. Plus, our Florida weather is perfect for growing them. Last year, I grew three pineapple plants just from pineapple tops. All I had to do was place the tops...
3 months ago • 2 min read
January often marks the 100th day of school—a fun milestone for students and a perfect excuse to play with numbers in a low-pressure way. The number 100 shows up everywhere in math, and moments like this are a great opportunity to slow down and let students explore math in a more relaxed, meaningful way. To celebrate, we put together a free set of math activities centered around the number 100 that you can use at home or alongside your regular lessons. These activities are designed to:...
3 months ago • 1 min read