What mathematics curriculum are you using for your kids?
Most parents will answer this question with a single sentence. Some of us won't even use more than one word to define the curriculum being used for our child's mathematics program. Common answers to this question include Saxon, Teaching Textbooks, or even Life of Fred. While this short list represents three very different companies' approaches to teaching mathematics, they don't answer the question. This question is deceitfully difficult to answer properly.
We have shortchanged mathematics and the study of an entire world into a single word, title, or company. These things ought not to be. How many of us would do this with our child's language arts, science, or history curriculum? If I asked you what literature you were studying with your kids you'd most likely answer with a list of great books, an explanation of writing techniques being taught, or even a complete persuasive essay. Unfortunately, we've believed the lie that the study of mathematics fits into a little box known as a single textbook. If we can't contain the study of English into a single text, what makes us think we can shove all of mathematics into one? We've been attempting to do this for years.
The study of mathematics is hard; made harder still by our approach to it through systematic processes with no context for wonder and discovery. In my Algebra classes, I have a tendency to talk quickly. My students know this and they know that it is because I get so excited about exploring the topic with them. I try to slow down, truly, but I often get carried away by the potential for understanding a new truth in this beautiful language. Through the study, struggle, failure, and success to observe these patterns and predict the future, students grow into seekers of the kingdom of God. Children become adults. Brains develop by learning to discern truth. These are the goals of a mathematics education and these are the goals of a good curriculum.
A curriculum is not a book, text, program, or even a Math Masters Membership here at Scio. A curriculum is a course of study with goals for learning and growing more into the likeness of Christ. As the creator used mathematics to bind nature, He has revealed the language to us in increments as a puzzle and mystery to be solved through searching for Him in His creation.
What is your mathematics curriculum? Do you study numbers? equations? patterns? matrices? inequalities? Quadratics? Complex numbers? Conics? Why do you study these things? How do you do this hard thing well?