what if the parent isn't good at a subject?

[marlne]

It looks like we'll be going back to homeschooling one of my children and I have a huge problem with math.

How can I teach my child a subject when I can't even do it myself?
I got by in highschool with the lowest level of math possible and then took drafting to avoid going to the next level.
She'll be doing either 8th or 9th grade work depending on if we let her finish out the school year and if she fails.
(which they said she may still get passed up to the next grade if her F's are based on not doing homework)
She's currently in 8th grade.

[sammysmaman]

.

Some towns have homeschooling co-ops where families can trade subjects. If someone is good at math, they may take your child in exchange for you helping them w/another subject. There are also tutors that you could hire. I'm currently a SAHM, but I was a French teacher and have a Masters in the subject. I'm always happy to tutor people in French. So, you could find someone to help

[elizawill]

i feel ya. one of the criteria for choosing my major in college was based upon how much math i would need for my degree, lol. for homeschooling, i use a math curriculum. most homeschool ones are written with the assumption that the instructor is not a math wiz. i am enjoying learning right along side my child. in your shoes (since your dd is older) perhaps an oline program would work? i *think* there is a program called alek's that is done online and gets good reviews. and i *think* teaching textbooks is online too. i am going from my memory though, so i could be way off base. we are starting to use math-u-see next year & that is also dvd instructed. good luck.

[3momkmb]

Teaching textbooks is not on-line, but it computer based. the instructor gives the student a *white board lecture* on screen (the concept is shown and taught) and they do the problems, enter the answers and get immediate feedback. We chose TT this year, not because I wasn't good at math but because I am not good at teaching my DD math (we learn very differently) and it is working out very well.

[Lillian J]

Lots of parents learn right along with their children - it's not hard to do at all and can be a lot of fun that would even help you turn around your own ideas about math. Really ! I suggest going to my page on math - Go Figure! - and read through some articles that address a lot of this. Also look through the math page links, and you'll see that there's a lot around in the way of helpful resources to turn to when you're looking for a little help. There's one article there, The Delights of Exploring Math With Your Child, that I put together after years of mentioning various ideas in posts here and there - it will give you some helpful ideas. And there are lots of great materials that your daughter can use on her own! Here's a current thread with links that lead to some helpful information: Another Math Topic

The main thing at this point is not to get her on track with math work but into a whole different way of thinking about it that allows her to see the more thought-provoking and fun things that she can easily do outside of the model the school has presented. And she'll need a break first - she'll need decompression/deschooling time. Here's a post with links to some simple "getting started" resources, articles, etc.

-Lillian

[marlne]

Thanks so much for all the wonderful help everyone!!

Lillian~ Thank you! I'll definately be going over the links you shared.

Elizawill~ You gave me some courage here, thanks! Oh, I found Aleks and have it saved in my favorites as a good back up. It looks wonderful!

3momkmb~ I went ahead and chose Switched-On Schoolhouse just before seeing your post. I'll still be checking TT out though. It sounds pretty good.

Sammysmaman~ I think I was going on the mentality that we were still in Hawaii and having a hard time finding other homeschoolers so easily. I didn't even realize the possibility of homeschooling co-ops. I've been looking more and see that there are quite a few homeschooling groups around us. It makes it a bit more exciting and not so scary!

[sapphire_chan]

If it comes right down to it, there's always community college math classes. Those'd have the added bonus of knocking off a gen. ed. requirement or two if/when she chooses to go to college in the future.

Also a good way to address things like chemistry which really work better with lab equipment.

[onyxravnos]

learning with your child is normally the way it goes but should you get really stuck or your child is just a math-y sort of person besides HS groups there are always high school students or collage students that can be bribed with food or money for tutoring.

[Linda on the move]

My DD who homeschools and is middle school aged goes to a math tutoring center. It works really well for us. I'm good at math, but really out of patience for explaining it. It is difficult for her, and they are great keeping track of where she is, keeping her moving forward, breaking concepts into chunks that make sense to her, etc.

She'll be doing either 8th or 9th grade work depending on if we let her finish out the school year and if she fails

What she works on as a homeschooler doesn't need to have anything to do with what grade she gets this year. You can have her do whatever she is ready for and interested in. Her grades from school don't effect your choices.

[onyxravnos]

Originally Posted by Linda on the move

What she works on as a homeschooler doesn't need to have anything to do with what grade she gets this year. You can have her do whatever she is ready for and interested in. Her grades from school don't effect your choices.

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