When I started using RightStart Math, I would play many of the games suggested, but my family had our favorites. We would play the same games – or variations of them – over and over, quite content to not explore the unknown games in the Math Card Games kit. However, when my daughter came along and I
We’ve had some conversations lately with parents of children who are struggling with counting. Sharon writes: “Any tips for children with dyscalculia? My daughter has had a horrible time learning to count. She is now 7 and still has a very hard time recognizing the numbers on the abacus and counting without me. She has made some
Choosing to homeschool your child can be an exciting yet daunting task. I was nervous – was I able to teach my kids to read? I knew that reading was the key to unlocking their ability to learn. When you can read you can learn about anything you want. How nervous was I about teaching
“What is the Math Set for?” This is a frequently asked question. Last year, I got to meet a lot of homeschoolers at conventions. Our sales table displays manipulatives from the Math Set. They draw kids in like magnets. Kids, who have them at home, stop to play with their favorite manipulative or card game. Some
“I really like this, but it’s parent-intensive. I don’t think I’d be able to do it with my kids.” When I took calls for RightStart, I addressed this concern almost weekly. A parent loves the program, but has heard its parent-intensive. How could they make it work since RightStart Math requires a teacher to work
When we decided to homeschool, the search for curriculum began. With a Masters in Christian Education, I was mindful of the philosophy and objectives behind the curriculums. When it came to math, I did some research and presented the options to my husband, a former chemical engineer. He scanned the information I presented and without
We recently got this question from Deborah via email: We currently use another math program, but I am considering switching. Do you have any reasoning to share for switching to RightStart Math? Any information to help in my decision? Thanks! Here’s my response: Well… me being a RightStart person, I can come up with a bunch of
It is almost summertime. And for many of you, it’s either the end of school or very close to the end. Whoo-hoo! Happy dance! After twenty-three years of homeschooling, I still get excited for summer. About seven years ago, we started schooling math year round, but summer still means a break from the norm. Deciding
One question that I get frequently is “What if my child doesn’t understand what is being taught in the lesson? Should I stay on that lesson or should I continue to move forward?” To be honest, there is not a one answer that fits all for this question. However, here are a few thoughts to consider.
We all have the best intentions to continue math fact practice over the summer, right? Somehow, though, time gets away. So, here we are, back at school, and guess what – MY KIDS HAVE FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING!!! Well, maybe not everything, but it might feel like it. Don’t panic! Here are some ideas for you to
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September 2025 Newsletter We want to remind you of the many free resources available to you as a school that uses RightStart Math. 1. Year-Round Continue Reading
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We are excited to announce the release of Dr. Joan Cotter’s new book, Start Math Right—a valuable resource designed to empower educators and parentsContinue Reading
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We want to take a moment to say a special thank you for the incredible work you do. We see the dedication, the late nights, the creativity, and theContinue Reading
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Classical education is built on the foundation of strong reasoning, deep understanding, and mastery of fundamental skills. When it comes toContinue Reading
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January 2025 Newsletter Welcome to the New Year 2025! We hope everyone had a fabulous winter break! As you start the new year, here are someContinue Reading
I am a quilt designer. I’ve made over 250 quilts in my lifetime, 98% of my own design. I’m currently working on my sixth quilt from someone else’s pattern.I have the directions in front of me as I’m approaching on the final steps of Bonnie Hunter’s Allietare quilt design. I find myself struggling to understand how
How many different abacuses do you think Dr. Cotter has? Here’s a clue…. Dr. Cotter is holding one of her first abacuses: a Japanese abacus, purchased by a friend who had visited Japan. She became so efficient using this abacus that she was faster and more accurate than she was with a calculator!While you try
Kathleen is here to walk you through the Fractions chapter of the new Start Math Right: The Journey to Mathematics Excellence book. She begins with a story of fractions and confusion from 1972, then goes on to discuss what a fraction is and how to teach fractions. Kathleen also discusses how not to teach fractions!
Listen to how division is addressed in the new Start Math Right: The Journey to Mathematics Excellence book. Teresa Foltin talks about how division is the most challenging of the arithmetic operations, and shares that there are two distinct ways to think about division. One way is to find the size of a group; another
Are you curious how the new Start Math Right: The Journey to Mathematics Excellence book addresses multiplication? Listen to Allison Fitzgibbon share her discoveries from the new book. Allison admits that the multiplication chapter was packed with more information than she had time to cover! She chose to focus on patterns found in math. Multiplication
Rachel is here to give you a summary of the Addition and Subtraction chapters from the new Start Math Right: The Journey to Mathematics Excellence book! Rachel Anderson was one of the proofreaders for Dr. Cotter’s book and shares her insights during the January 2025 Online Conference. She begins with a quote from the book.
