Fractions and decimals need to be grounded in concrete, hands-on concepts and then go to the paper & pencil work.  Learn the core topics and how to present them with manipulatives.  Most of us remember how to do the math but not how to explain it. Come and refresh how to explanation fractions and decimals; there is more to teaching math than just doing it.  I’m not selling a product: I’m here to promote excellence in homeschooling.

Fractions and decimals need to be grounded in concrete, hands-on concepts and then go to the paper & pencil work.  Learn the core topics and how to present them with manipulatives.  Most of us remember how to do the math but not how to explain it. Come and refresh how to explanation fractions and decimals; there is more to teaching math than just doing it.  I’m not selling a product: I’m here to promote excellence in homeschooling.

The Math By Hand workshop is a fun, lively, hands-on approach to math for grades 1-4.  Participants will learn how to infuse a love of math into everyday lessons and math skills practice with ideas that are innovative, creative, and practical.

Author RJ Toftness discovered the math basics were slowly removed since the 1960s—hence many students currently struggle with the subject. He gives a hands on workshop full of tips to help your children in math. Toftness taught in public school and home schooled his children. He currently gives math workshops and tutors privately.

Algebra is being taught earlier and earlier.  Some curriculum promote “preparing for Algebra” as early as 2nd grade.  Many of these curriculum use an “arithmetic” method of thinking which hinders children from progressing into “algebraic” thinking.  While the arithmetic thinking gets correct answers on simple problems, it doesn’t go very far.  Learn how to explain the core algebra concepts and with proper algebraic thinking.

All too often, students can feel disconnected from their math curriculum.  It may be obvious why math is necessary for accountants or engineers, but what about creative artists?  And how can math help us with our understanding of the day to day world around us?

As someone who creates digital visual effects for movies, I use math as the medium for my artwork.  With examples of my work from movies including X-Men, Speed Racer, and other films, I want to show how math is not only a creative tool needed to create virtual worlds, but is also essential to create and understand anything in the “real world” as well.

As someone who went through most of his schooling feeling indifference and frustration towards math, I want to share some ideas as to why I devote so much of my career to math education.

I want to examine the true nature of mathematical thinking and show how it runs diametrically opposed to much of the conventional wisdom in math education.  One can’t start to build on their knowledge of math without first asking those foundational questions: Why do I have to learn this?  When will I ever use this?  How does this relate to me personally?

This talk is intended to help inspire homeschool learners and parents with a compelling perspective on how to take on new ideas in math so that they transcend mere rote number crunching.