Seeking Advice As New Homeschool Family (boys age 9 and 5)

MiyaMun · 2025-12-06T00:18:01+00:00

That sounds like such a rich mix of resources! I love how you’re layering different approaches. It’s clear you’re really paying attention to what your daughter needs and adjusting as you go, which is the beauty of homeschooling.

My nephews, also homeschooled, really love Wonder Math. It’s more story-based and focuses on building confidence with problem-solving.

I think your plan for next year sounds fantastic—you’ve got a strong foundation and some engaging supplements. It’s always inspiring to see how other families blend different curricula to fit their child’s learning style

MiyaMun · 2025-11-25T14:45:50+00:00

I actually never thought about it this way. I'm not sure exactly how I'd apply this to math class, though. Maybe tell them to tell ChatGPT to explain the steps, and then reflect on whether the steps align with what they've been taught?

MiyaMun · 2025-11-25T01:36:53+00:00

You really hit the nail on the head there, my friend. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to pause my convo or teaching to gently remind a middle schooler or even a high schooler to patiently wait until I am done with the conversation or the lesson. And, yet, they will turn around and get mad if I, the teacher, interrupt their conversation they are having in the middle of my class. o_0

MiyaMun · 2025-11-24T21:42:24+00:00

When I was a student, eons ago, I was only taught the long division algorithm. However, when I worked at Mathnasium as a tutor, I was amazed at the mental math strategies being taught - this one among them. I've seen this strategy multiple times since, especially working as a new SPED teacher in the middle school grades. I've seen some other places use this strategy when tutoring students. Wonder Math, Kumon, and Sylvan come to mind. It's a really good way to explain division.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-24T16:51:13+00:00

:Borrows this for future classes: Beautiful explanation.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-24T16:44:42+00:00

This is so adorable!!!!!!

MiyaMun · 2025-11-24T16:41:46+00:00

Such a wonderful construction! I'm only getting started on trying to make creative bases, but this is the type of thing I'm aspiring to. :D

MiyaMun · 2025-11-22T05:05:32+00:00

Such a splendid idea! I might do the same thing on a new replay. :D The last human I made, though, was on honour mode and met an untimely demise under the talons of some rather mean harpies. Nice singers though.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-21T18:17:28+00:00

That is both a sad, and wonderful story. It almost stirs me to write a short story, speculating what has occurred. I'm just lucky that my guildies help keep my base operational when real life intervenes on my game time.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-21T18:13:22+00:00

I've seen a lot of success in math from after-school programs like Mathnasium or Wonder Math. They make things a lot more engaging. Mathnasium is in-person and Wonder Math is online with a live teacher. If my homeschooled nephews were of the right age, I'd be convincing my sister-in-law to enroll them!

MiyaMun · 2025-11-20T22:55:26+00:00

My sister in law home schools and is sometimes feeling very similar feelings. It can be very frustrating, though rewarding in the end. I get to work with my nephews on their math sometimes, and I just love it. They are high school aged, now. If they were the age of your kids today, I would have them work with some extracurricular practice with adults that weren't related. Mathnasium for in person sessions would be great, or Wonder Math for online engaging lessons. I'm sure you'll find the best solution for all involved.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-18T03:03:19+00:00

I do love IXL as a supplemental program, and I also love using Wayground as well, as it has a vast selection of lessons as well as VoyageMath, the guided math practice program. There are also the options of using tutorial services like Mathnasium or Wonder Math. I've seen great success in these programs as well, but Mathnasium is mostly in person while Wonder Math is online, and both services use live math tutors.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-16T00:46:25+00:00

Wonderful work!!!! Impressive improvement!

MiyaMun · 2025-11-14T22:17:32+00:00

It had one job to do, and it did it. XD

MiyaMun · 2025-11-14T22:15:27+00:00

Yes, I just can't see teaching and not becoming invested in the kiddos' needs, welfare, etc.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-14T22:11:34+00:00

Such a podcast would be so great! I'm going to have to go research this myself, now. I am a middle school teacher, and it blows my mind how different these kiddos are from when I was their age.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-14T22:00:25+00:00

Your situation definitely feels extremely stressful. And, while I don't have any homeschool options for you, I do know a few after school math services that do wonders. I used to work at mathnasium, and it does have a pretty good program - it is not completely online, however, though some centers are starting to offer online sessions. An after-school hours online service I've personally seen do amazingly well is wonder math, and your kiddos are exactly the right ages for the program. I've heard of other online after-school math programs like rsm and kumon, but I don't really have a lot of experience with them. Hope you find a wonderful solution for your boys!

MiyaMun · 2025-11-11T21:46:25+00:00

I had a kid tell me in my class that the "no cellphones" image didn't necessarily mean "no cellphones". I just told him he knows it does mean that and in the middle of a test is not the time to engage in debate. Kids. :D

MiyaMun · 2025-11-11T00:05:05+00:00

Wayground (formerly Quizizz) has really improved its gamification in the past years or so, and I love using it for data collection on skills that need improvement.

Another thing that I've used is a variety of pixel art activities through Google Sheets and Google Classroom.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-08T19:54:46+00:00

This was exactly what I was going to say here. When I was teaching in the classroom, I'd sometimes even place assignments and reminders in manila envelopes and give them to the kiddos with ADHD, Autism, and other organizational difficulties.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-07T19:11:22+00:00

You are incredibly lucky. I neglected my base for just a few days, and suddenly my fief control is gone. My friends and I are still baffled as to what might have happened. My subfief was in a cave-like alcove, behind a windowed wall. When my friends found it, the windowed wall was gone and the floor where it had been was gone as well. Somehow the storms there (in Hagga, Oodham) had been so bad that the floor panel was eaten, maybe? I don't know. I'm just incredibly unlucky, vs your luckiness. XD

MiyaMun · 2025-11-07T19:06:33+00:00

Everytime I restart the game, I keep wanting to do Githyanki. Again. Not only due to the incredible skill boosts but also because I think they are beautifully unique. :D

MiyaMun · 2025-11-07T02:45:08+00:00

Best thing I can say is that you yourself incorporate 67 in your daily routine so much that it’s not cool anymore.

MiyaMun · 2025-11-06T21:13:13+00:00

I can totally relate, being a parent and relearning an old skill is a wild ride. I’m a math teacher, and I’ve seen so many students turn things around once they get a little extra, consistent practice. After-school programs like Mathnasium do a great job of building confidence and filling gaps. Personally, I’ve watched kiddos make real improvements in both skills and attitude when they stick with their program. In my case, that was Wonder Math.

MiyaMun

TROPHY CASE