Two weeks into this school year, I called Alpha Omega Publications and requested they enroll me in the same online Algebra 1 course Meredith was taking. No one was as surprised as I was at this decision, but honestly, I knew it was the only way I would discipline myself to walk with her through this course.
I spent the weekend catching up as Meredith was already ten lessons and two quizzes ahead. That weekend was exhausting and invigorating because FOR THE FIRST TIME, I realized I could learn Algebra alongside my daughter, and by doing so, we would both learn it better.
Now, as we work through lessons, we experience everything from complete frustration to absolute excitement. We have laughed, growled, and even, cried together once in our frustration (word problems); though, to date, we have managed to grasp each of the concepts. The benefit to this approach is I don’t have to play catch-up when she trips over some concept in the lesson. Mostly, Meredith doesn’t need me to walk her through her lessons, but when she DOES need me, I’m ready and waiting. Together we have kicked butt in a class we were both scared to take. We are more than halfway through our school year, and we feel successful because Algebra hasn’t beaten us. We took it on, and we are getting it.
I feel like I can take on the world now!
Now, this is not to say I never am confused; I am.
I am not saying Algebra is suddenly easy; it isn’t.
But, for the first time in my life, I (mostly) understand Algebra 1. And? Meredith and I both have A’s.
Personally, I’m VERY proud because I barely made a B in Algebra in high school and college; so, this is a big deal to me–a very big deal.
Let the cheering commence.
But I didn’t just enroll in Algebra so I could beat it. I wanted to set an example. My kids have heard for years that Algebra “beat” me. They expected the course to be impossible before they ever took it. Their love and respect for me makes them think, “If Algebra was hard for Momma, won’t it be hard for me too?!” While I should have kept my math struggles to myself, I didn’t (That’s a warning, parents.). My girls came into this course with a built-in fear. Some of it was from friends, some from other family members, but I have to assume some of the blame as well.
So, by enrolling in Algebra, my actions told Meredith I was ready to face-off with her. And it made a difference. We push through problems and get them right or wrong together. I log in and check the teacher’s notes as a last resort–and only after we both score incorrectly.
In 2012, a few of you scolded me when I wrote, “Common sense dictates I would not attempt to teach my children Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus, or Calculus.”
Jennifer A commented:
“I think there is one other option that needs to be pointed out. Parents are capable of learning the high school material as well as the student, even well enough to teach it. We need to model that learning doesn’t end with the school age; it continues for life.”
It took me a while, but I took those words to heart, honestly assessed my strengths and weaknesses, and made the choice to overcome my fear and LEARN ALGEBRA.
Because a few of you have asked already, our family utilized multiple Math programs and textbooks over the years. We started with Saxon and quickly moved to Singapore when the kids were of elementary age. We had a brief dance with Teaching Textbooks and VideoText. For Algebra, however, Meredith and I prefer Monarch’s Algebra 1. It’s 100% online. The lessons are clear without being babyish or boring. The feedback is immediate, and it’s easy to shift the schedule as well as view detailed grade reports. In other words, it works for both of us. If it didn’t, we’d switch.
And before anyone asks, yes…I do plan to take Geometry and Algebra II as well.
What has been your biggest academic hurdle as a homeschooling parent? What did you do to overcome it?
Heather Sanders is a leading homeschooling journalist who desires to inspire families to live, love and learn. Married to Jeff, Heather lives in the East Texas Piney Woods where she currently home schools her three kids.