Tips from a maths tutor for parents who need help with homeschool maths.
Author
Amber Watkins
Published
July 2024
Tips from a maths tutor for parents who need help with homeschool maths.
Author
Amber Watkins
Published
July 2024
Tips from a maths tutor for parents who need help with homeschool maths.
Author
Amber Watkins
Published
July 2024
Key takeaways
Table of contents
So you recently decided to begin a homeschool journey with your child.
You weighed the pros and cons, assessed the times it takes, and mentally prepared yourself for the possible rocky journey ahead of you.
Well, the educators here at Doodle Learning want to extend to you a hearty welcome!
You now share the privilege of expanding your reach from just a few hours of homework help to being a full hands-on homeschool teacher.
You may still have some questions about how to choose the right homeschool maths curriculum. You also may feel a bit uneasy about how to help with homeschool maths, or simply need guidance on where to begin. We’re here to help you!
Start by choosing the right homeschool maths curriculum for your child. This is the most important factor as to whether your homeschool maths journey will be a rocky road or smooth sailing.
There are many maths resources to find online. How do you decide what homeschool maths curriculum is best for your child?
Now that you’ve chosen your homeschool maths curriculum, you must set up a schedule that works! Many parents who provide homeschool maths help have seen the advantages of having a set time each day to work on school work. This helps your child stay in the school mentality.
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Select a year group
Tutoring students across a variety of ages has helped me appreciate that just because a child is in a certain year group, doesn’t mean they are learning at that level. You may have a child in Year 4 maths that is learning at a Year 5 maths level or sometimes below.
How do you determine what maths level your child is learning at currently? I recommend getting familiar with the national curriculum for each year group and if you notice your child is struggling with the maths topics outlined there, you may need to reteach some concepts from the previous year group before you can advance. If you notice your child is excelling with little effort, consider progressing to the next year group.
To get your started, we’ve compiled the national maths curriculum for each year group:
In Year 1, students learn how to add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers up to 20, identify basic fractions, learn coin values and be introduced to simple concepts within measure and shape.
Students in Year 2 work with numbers up to 100 to build on their skills from last year. They’ll learn simple fractions, how to measure using units and tell time to the nearest five minutes.
In Year 3, children will work with numbers up to 1,000, learn their 3, 4, and 8 times tables, measure perimeter, order fractions and find equivalent fractions, and calcuate periods of elapsed time.
Year 4 students learn all multiplication tables, how to calculate the perimeter of shapes, and are introduced to angles. They’ll also explore different types of graphs and charts.
Learners in Year 5 will be introduced to long multiplication and a range of more complicated fractions concepts and will be able to draw and measure different categories of angles accurately.
Year 6
In Year 6 learners are introduced to long division and new topics of algebra and ratio and proportion. This year they’ll focus on using their skills independently to solve a range of different maths problems.
As a tutor, I have learned the art of knowing when it is okay to move on to the next maths topic (within each year group) and when extra assistance is needed. At the end of each lesson, I use ten maths problems to test each child’s understanding. You can do this, too!
Maths problems involve a ton of reading! Whenever I’m helping a child who is struggling with maths word problems, they are usually also struggling with reading. So, how to help with homeschool maths? One of the best ways is to help your child become a better reader.
Many parents want to limit how much screen time their child gets. At DoodleLearning, we couldn’t agree more! But there also can be a balance. Technology has proven to be a very useful tool in maths education when used effectively.
How can you incorporate technology into your homeschool lessons:
Your child will be assessed in maths at the end of Year 6 via the KS2 SATs papers. Sometimes, this involves a professional coming to your home to see what you’ve been doing to teach your child at home. I recommend the following tips to prepare for yearly assessment:
Helping with homeschool maths won’t always be easy, but it will always be worth it!
Parents, sign up for a DoodleMaths subscription and see your child become a maths wizard!
Lesson credits
Amber Watkins
Amber is an education specialist with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over 12 years of experience teaching and tutoring primary through university level maths. "Knowing that my work in maths education makes such an impact leaves me with an indescribable feeling of pride and joy!"
Amber Watkins
Amber is an education specialist with a degree in Early Childhood Education. She has over 12 years of experience teaching and tutoring primary through university level maths. "Knowing that my work in maths education makes such an impact leaves me with an indescribable feeling of pride and joy!"
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