Finding Math in Literature

Note: This article originally appeared at CatholicMom.com. Visit the Catholic Mom website for many other articles to support you in your vocation as a wife and mother.

I majored in applied mathematics in college, yet it wasn’t until I became a homeschooling mother that I discovered math in literature. I’d like to help you to also discover how you can introduce living books into your homeschool and take a break from the drill, drill, drill.

Have you ever said to your children, “I hated math in school” or “Math was my worst subject”? I’m challenging you, right here, right now, to never say those words again.

Emotions are contagious. If your personal fear of math is evident to your children, they’ll likely take on the same fear. If you’d like your children to succeed in their math studies, then make the conscious decision to find the beauty in math yourself. Yes, it’s true: there is beauty to be found in mathematics.

Just as God is orderly, mathematics is orderly. There is beauty to be found in its orderliness. You can find it in nature, in music, and in art. Reading how the great proofs came to be or how mathematical discoveries were made can be very interesting. Reading biographies of the great mathematicians, again, can be quite interesting. Take it from me, mathematicians tend to be quirky, colorful people. It can be fun to discover the meaning of such things as: harmonograph, Fibonacci sequence, golden ratio, Möbius strip, and Weaire–Phelan structure.

Think of it as Math Appreciation. We study art and music appreciation. We share Monet with our children before embarking on art lessons in watercolors. We listen to Beethoven with our children before setting them down to piano lessons. There is no reason why we can’t do the same with math.

There is a lot of terrific, fun math literature out there to help you enter the world of Math Appreciation. Here is a free book list for you to start: Math Lit for All Ages. I also wrote a book called For the Love of Literature that includes a lot of great math titles. You should be able to find the book in your library or through inter-library loan. In fact, the library is a great resource in finding living math literature. Go to the children’s section and then find the 500’s in the Dewey Decimal System and start pulling books off the shelf.

I encourage you to read books to your children such as Sir Cumference and the First Round Table, The Man Who Counted, The Phantom Tollbooth, and so on. Also take some time to work number puzzles and do fun things like create codes. Perhaps, together, you and your children will come to appreciate math through living literature, and therefore be more successful in math studies.

Do you have a favorite living math book? If so, leave a comment and tell everyone about it.

Copyright 2015 Maureen Wittmann

Online 2016 Summer Classes for Middle and High School

We are very excited to let you know we have scheduled several great courses for the summer semester. 

• Professor Joseph Pearce will introduce high school students to G. K. Chesterton's Everlasting Man. 
• Kevin O'Brien will teach two courses. First up will be a high school course on C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. Second will be a middle school drama / acting course. 
• To help you keep your children up on their math and ready for the next fall, Emily Nardozzi will teach a Math Boot Camp for middle school students. 
• Dr. Christine Hamilton will repeat her ever-popular Nutrition Science course this summer. Just for fun, she'll also teach an Entomology (Bugs!!!) course for the middle-school set.
• We are again offering our free study skills course. It's already filling up, but the good news is that we'll add more dates and time for the fall and spring. 
• Finally, Professor Erin Brown Conroy has three writing courses for you. First is Writing the Short Story, second is a camp for budding authors on how to get published, and third is an upper-level Punctuation and Grammar course to give students a hand up for the fall.

This is going to be one fun summer!

Register on or before March 15 to receive an Early Enrollment Discount. Discounted price is automatic (no need to remember coupon codes!) Here are all of the course details ... 

TO REGISTER: Homeschool Connections Registration Page for Live, Interactive Courses
Click on Summer 2016 Semester and click on Search


FICTION (CREATIVE) WRITING: WRITING THE SHORT STORY 
Total classes: 4
Class dates: Thursdays, April 14 to May 5, 2016
Starting time: 10:30 AM Eastern (9:30 Central; 8:30 Mountain; 7:30 Pacific)
Duration:  50 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: 1/3 semester Creative Writing or English. Add other writing or literature courses for a full semester credit.
Fee:  $89 if you register on or before March 15, 2016. $99 after March 15 for all 4 classes
Instructor: Erin Brown Conroy, MA, MFA
Course description: Have you ever wanted to write (and publish) a short story? This course will cover just that -- how to write a dynamic, publishable short story -- including fleshing out ideas for your short stories, the similarities and differences between short stories and full-length book writing, and marketing your short stories to publications.
Course outline:
Class 1: Defining short stories: micro fiction, flash fiction, short stories, novelettes, and novellas
Class 2: Characteristics of dynamic, saleable short stories
Class 3: Brainstorming, outlining, and forming your short story
Class 4: Short story markets and sales
Course materials: All course materials will be provided.
Homework: Estimated one to three hours of homework outside of class time per class, depending on the student’s ability.

AUTHORING A BOOK II: PERFECTING YOUR QUERY LETTER AND SYNOPSIS WORKSHOP 
Total classes: 4
Class dates: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 2, 3, 4, and 5, 2016
Starting time: 11:30 AM Eastern (10:30 Central; 9:30 Mountain; 8:30 Pacific)
Duration:  50 minutes
Prerequisite: Authoring a Book I (Live, interactive course or Unlimited Access recorded course)
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: 1/3 semester Creative Writing or English. Add other writing or literature courses for a full semester credit.
Fee:  $89 if you register on or before March 15, 2016. $99 after March 15 for all 4 classes
Instructor: Erin Brown Conroy, MA, MFA
Course description: During this course, each student will receive feedback on their own query letter and synopsis – two components necessary for submitting your work to an agent and/or publisher. The class will have both instructor feedback and workshopping together, and students should leave the course with documents that have been edited and polished.
Course outline:
Class 1: Analyzing excellent query letters
Class 2: Workshopping query letters
Class 3: Analyzing excellent synopses
Class 4: Workshopping synopses
Course materials: All course materials will be provided free by the instructor.
Homework: Estimated one to three hours of homework outside of class time per class, depending on the student’s ability.

THE SCIENCE OF BUGS! (ENTOMOLOGY) 
Total classes: 8
Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, June 6, 2016 - June 16, 2016 June 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16)
Starting time: 10:00 AM Eastern (9:00 Central; 8:00 Mountain; 7:00 Pacific)
Duration: 45 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 6th to 8th grade
Suggested credit: ½ semester Entomology or Science
Fee: $70 if you register on or before March 15, 2016. $80 if you register after Mar. 15 for all 8 classes.
Instructor: Christine Hamilton, Ph.D.
Course description: Fun lighthearted study of the insect world.  We will learn about insect type, habitat, sounds and some yummy recipes (really!). Pests, workers, artists—the intrepid insects of the world fascinate, annoy, and benefit humankind. From butterflies to bees to the lowly cockroach, insects are an integral part of the natural environment, making their mark on culture through rhyme and lore. What causes fireflies to blink? Did you ever wonder about the origin of "Sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite?" Let's delve into the insect world and see what we can learn.
Course outline:
1. Fastest
2. Largest
3. Longest
4. Most Numerous
5. Most Spectacular
6. Smallest
7. Misc. (Bioluminescence, loudest, most toxic)
8. Recipes (crunchy, chewy)
Course materials: TBA
Homework:  Research insect of your choice for report at the end of the course.

INTERNET ACTING CAMP
Total classes: 10
Class dates: Daily, Monday through Friday, June 6 through June 17

Starting time:  1:00 PM Eastern (Noon Central; 11:00 AM Mountain; 10:00 AM Pacific)
Duration: 55 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 7^th to 8^th grade
Suggested credit: ½ semester Drama
Fee: $130 if you register on or before March 15, 2016. $150 after Mar. 15th
Instructor: Kevin O’Brien
Course description: Can a group of homeschoolers put together a one-act play in two weeks, even if they’re separated by thousands of miles and acting for their webcams?  We’ll find out in this fun, challenging, inspiring and kind of crazy Internet Acting Camp!  The final production will either be recorded as an Adobe Connect session, or (if we can manage it technically) edited and uploaded as a video for family and friends to watch!
Course outline: 
Day 1 - Introduction and overview - Mr. O'Brien talks about show business and about St. Genesius, patron saint of actors.
Day 2 - Short scenes from various plays will be read, acting tips will be given.
Day 3 - We will begin to formulate a plot and characters for our play.
Day 4 - Plot and character outlines will be written as a final outline.
Day 5 - Provisional scenes will be read and / or improvised.  We will come up with a few dialogue scenes that are fun and that we're proud of.  (Between the two weeks, Mr. O'Brien will write the play whose plot and characters the students have outlined into a final form, with scenes, dialogue, etc.)
Day 6 - The play is read in class.  Acting coaching is provided.
Day 7 - Rehearsal
Day 8 - Rehearsal
Day 9 - Rehearsal
Day 10 - Final performance!
Course materials: Provided free as PDF files by the instructor.
Homework: Writing scenes, learning lines, practicing on your own.  About 5 hours per week minimum, but each student may do more if his or her heart is in it!

MATH FOUNDATION BOOT CAMP FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS 
Total classes: 8
Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, June 13 to June 23, 2016
Starting time: 11:30 AM Eastern (10:30 Central; 9:30 Mountain; 8:30 Pacific)
Duration: 1 hour
Prerequisite: Completion of at least one middle school level math course
Suggested grade level: Geared toward 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. However, 9th graders are welcomed who would like to strengthen their math foundation.
Suggested credit: 1/2 semester Math
Fee: $95 if you register on or before March 15, 2016. $110 after March 15th.
Instructor: Emily Nardozzi
Course description: The focus of this course will be to strengthen students' skills in working with fractions, decimals, and percents. Fractions are the most misunderstood concept in all of mathematics and many students cringe when they come across them in a math problem. The goal of this course is to make sure that students are able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide fractions, decimals, and percents with ease and confidence.
Course outline:
Mon., June 13: Identify, compare, order, and demonstrate equivalent relationships between integers, rational numbers in decimal, fraction, and percent notation
Tues., June 14: Represent, order, and compare integers and describe their absolute value
Wed., June 15: Identify, compare, and perform the four basic operations relating to rational numbers in fraction, decimal, and percent notation.
Thurs., June 16: Identify, compare, and perform the four basic operations relating to rational numbers in fraction, decimal, and percent notation.
Mon., June 20: Evaluate expressions using order of operations
Tues., June 21: Evaluate expressions using order of operations
Wed., June 22: Solve equations and inequalities
Thurs., June 23: Review
Course materials: None, all materials will be provided FREE by the instructor.
Homework: 1 quiz per day will be given with approximately 5-10 problems, these should take around 10-15 minutes

“I CALL YOU FRIENDS” C. S. LEWIS AND J. R. R. TOLKIEN

Total classes: 8
Class dates: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, June 20 through June 30.
Starting time: 1:00 PM Eastern (Noon Central; 11:00 AM Mountain; 10:00 AM Pacific)
Duration: 55 minutes
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 9^th to 12^th grade
Suggested credit: ½ semester Literature
Fee: $110 if you register on or before March 15, 2016. $125 after Mar. 15th.
Instructor: Kevin O’Brien
Course description: Two of the greatest Christian writers of the 20th century were also close friends - C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien - a friendship that awakened Lewis to the Faith, but that also may have faltered because of the demands of the Faith.  We examine the relationship of these two men, the ups and downs of their friendship, and how they influenced one another’s writings.
Course outline: 
Class one: Overview of the course and of the setting and times into which Lewis & Tolkien were born.
Class two: Selections from Surprised by Joy, the life of C.S. Lewis
Class three: Selections from Joseph Pearce's biography of J.R.R. Tolkien
Class four: Tolkien's "On Fairy Stories" and the Night Talk that started Lewis' conversion
Class five: Other influences on Lewis' faith: Chesterton and the Inklings.
Class six: The Inklings and the development of the writings of Lewis and Tolkien: how they influenced one another.
Class seven:  Lewis' marriage and Tolkien's reaction to it: trouble in the friendship.
Class eight: We examine the legacy of each author, review what we've learned, and bring the course to a conclusion.
Course materials: Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis, Tolkien: Man and Myth by Joseph Pearce should both be purchased by students and at least one of the two books should be read ahead of time, before the first class session. Other material will be brief selections from works and letters of the two authors, and will be provided free by the instructor in class or as PDF files.
Homework: Completing the assigned reading for each class; taking six quizzes and one essay exam. Estimated homework time each week: 4 hours.

HEALTH SCIENCE: NUTRITION
Total classes: 8
Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, July 11 to July 21 (July 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19. 20, 21)
Starting time:  10:00 AM Eastern (9:00 Central; 8:00 Mountain; 7:00 Pacific)
Duration: 45 minutes
Prerequisite: At least a 9th grade level of understanding of science.
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: ½ semester Health Science
Fee: $70 if you register on or before March 15, 2016. $80 if you register after Mar. 15 for all 8 classes.
Instructor: Christine Hamilton, Ph.D.
Course description: Teaches the basic concepts of healthy eating. We will learn what food means to the body and gain a better understanding of its necessity.
Course outline:
1. Healthy Eating - proper nutrition can help prevent a number of health conditions including (but not limited to); Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and obesity. Planning a balanced diet and understanding nutrition labels.
2. Protein - necessary for muscles, skin and hair.
3. Carbohydrates - the body's primary source of energy converted to glucose.
4. Fats - help synthesize fat soluble vitamins (A,E,D,K).
5. Vitamins - Essential vitamins including; A, B, Complex C, D, E, K and folate.
6. Minerals - essential minerals include; calcium, iron, zinc, iodine and chromium.
7. Water - we are 60% H2O, our brain is 70% H2O.
8. Proper Diet - Good nutrition keeps muscles, bones, organs and other body parts strong.
Course materials: Food for Today: Student Activity Paperback by Helen Kowtaluk, ISBN # 0078616468 (www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0078616468/catholictreas-20).
Homework: Students will be asked to bring a canned or boxed food item to class with them to learn about label reading and meanings. Students will keep a three-day food journal to track short-term eating habits. Expect daily homework at approximately 30-45 minutes each day.


THE EVERLASTING MAN by G. K. CHESTERTON
Total classes: 6
Class dates: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, August 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18.
Starting time: 1:00 PM Eastern (Noon Central; 11:00 AM Mountain; 10:00 AM Pacific)
Duration: 55 minutes
Prerequisite: Complete reading The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton before the first day of class
Suggested grade level: 9^th to 12^th grade
Suggested high school credit: ½ semester credit for Literature or English
Fee: $75 if you register on or before March 15, 2016. $90 after Mar. 15th.
Instructor: Joseph Pearce
Course description:  The Everlasting Man is G. K. Chesterton’s classic work of Catholic Apologetics. The book's thesis is ultimately that the Incarnation is central to an understanding of history. Chesterton takes on the claim that man is simply the product of evolution, arguing that Christianity provides the True explanation for the genesis and purpose of human life. Chesterton wrote the book as a rebuttal to popular author H.G. Wells, whose secularist The Outline of History was influential at the time (1920’s). As Dale Ahlquist, president of the American Chesterton Society, says, “Of all of Chesterton’s literary monuments, this is perhaps his greatest, for he eloquently and concisely packs the whole human story between the covers of one book.” In this course, we will unpack that story and study it together over six classes.
Course outline:
Class one: Part I, chapters 1-3
Class two: Part I, chapters 4-6
Class three: Part I, chapters 7-8
Class four: Part II, chapters 1-2
Class five: Part II, chapters 3-4
Class six: Part II, chapters 5-6
Course materials: G. K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man (Ignatius Press), 978-0-89870-444-0
Homework: Completing the assigned reading for each class; taking six quizzes. Estimated homework time each week: 3 hours.

HIGH SCHOOLWRITING ESSENTIALS 5: PUNCTUATION AND GRAMMAR II
Fully Understanding Punctuation & Grammar
Total classes: 6
Starting time: 11:30 AM Eastern (10:30 Central; 9:30 Mountain; 8:30 Pacific)
Class dates: Week One: Monday through Thursday. Week Two: Monday and Tuesday. August 22, 23, 24, 25: 29, 30; 2016
Duration:  55 minutes
Prerequisite: HIGH SCHOOL WRITING ESSENTIALS 1: Essential Punctuation and Grammar I
 and HIGH SCHOOL SIMPLIFIED WRITING 1: All-Encompassing Foundational High School Writing Skills (Live, interactive courses or Unlimited Access recorded courses)
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: 1/2 semester Writing or English
Fee: $99 if you register on or before March 15, 2016; $119 after Mar. 15 for all 6 classes.
Instructor: Erin Brown Conroy, MA, MFA
Course description:  This course continues your student’s punctuation and grammar instruction and exercises, taking your student to college-level understanding. Students will move beyond common understanding to mastering the skills. If you want your teen to never struggle with punctuation and grammar and be able to be skillful in upper-level, college-prep punctuation and grammar, this is the course for you.
Course outline:
Class 1: The power of punctuation; what punctuation does (and doesn’t do) for your writing, and how you can harness that power
Class 2: Complete comma understanding and practice: identification of commas with multiple clause sentences (the sentence/non-sentence trick)
Class 3: Complete comma understanding and practice: typical comma errors and editors’ choices with commas
Class 4: Common, unusual, and rare comma placement in common, unusual, and rare places
Class 5: Semicolons, colons, and commas used together correctly
Class 6: End punctuation issues, quotation mark errors, and quotes within quotes issues
Class 7: Citations, references, footnotes, and research-centric punctuation
Class 8: Mastering punctuation in the SAT and ACT
Course materials: TBA, ordering information forthcoming. Word 2007 or later version or the ability to convert documents to Word-compatible documents.
Homework: Daily quizzes, with an estimated two to three hours per week for homework outside of class time. Quizzes are graded automatically by the computer for instant feedback. Course includes skill-building sheets with corrections guide. Personalized question time will be offered in class to insure a strong understanding of concepts.

ADDENDUM: All Summer Excellent Student courses are full and closed. Seats are still available for the upcoming fall and spring semesters. Also available through Unlimited Access.HOW TO BE AN EXCELLENT STUDENT: NOTE TAKING, TEST TAKING, AND HOW TO GET AN A
Homeschool Connections offers this course free throughout the school year. How to Be an Excellent Student lays a foundation of study skills to help students be successful in all of their other courses. Get ready for the school year now and register for this short, but vital, course. If this course fills up, we will add new dates and times in the fall and spring semesters.
Total classes: 4
Class dates: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, August 22 to 25
Time: 1: 00 PM Eastern (Noon Central; 11:00 Mountain; 10:00 Pacific)
Duration: 55 minutes per class
Prerequisite: None
Suggested grade level: 7th to 10th grade
Fee: FREE
Instructor: Erin Brown Conroy, MA, MFA
Course description: This course is designed to help your student become strong, confident, and able to study for any high school level course with success.
Course outline:
Class 1: Active listening and how to take notes effectively
Class 2: Active reading and how to study effectively
Class 3: Critical reading skills for comprehension
Class 4: Test-taking in a timed setting
Course materials: All materials provided FREE from the instructor.
Homework: This is a lecture course with approximately 2 hours of work per class (reading and automated quizzes).

We hope that this selection of summer online classes will be helpful to you and your family. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email us at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com. You can visit us online at www.homeschoolconnections.com. 

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

Middle School Math Online for Catholic Homeschoolers

We would like to introduce you to our newest instructor, Mrs. Nardozzi. We rarely bring on a new teacher or add a new course this close to the new school year. We only do it when we find an exceptional teacher who can also teach a subject that is seriously needed.

First, allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Nardozzi:



Isn't she wonderful! In fact, this video was shot by one of her students. He can't say enough nice things about her.

While we have a number of great middle school math courses available as recorded, independent-learning classes, we did not have one scheduled for the 2015/2016 school year. So, we've scheduled the following course for you. (Note, our courses are broken into 2 parts -- fall and spring semesters.) Our recorded middle school math courses use Saxon Math books. This live course will be using the Glencoe textbook, which is an excellent text for this age group.

Registration is open. Click here: Homeschool Connections Registration (Click on the semester and Math, then click on Search.)

Course name:  Middle School Math (Glencoe), Part One

Students are expected to sign up for Part Two in the Spring.

Class dates: Tuesdays, September 8 to December 15, 2015

Total classes: 14 live plus 14 pre-recorded

Starting time: 2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 PM Central, 12:30 PM Mountain, 11:30 AM Pacific)

Duration: 55 minutes live classes, 25 minutes recorded

Prerequisite: Basic math skills.

Suggested grade level: 6th grade and up

Fee: $190 if you register on or before July 15, 2015.  $210 after July 15  

Instructor: Emily Nardozzi, M.Ed.

Course description: Middle School Math covers fractions, decimals, integers, data analysis, algebraic expressions and equations, functions and inequalities, using formulas, and surface area and volume in a way that will be easy to understand and will provide a strong foundation for the coming math courses.  

Course materials:  Mathematics: Applications and Concepts, Course 1, Student Edition (Glencoe Mathematics), 2006 Edition.  We recommend purchasing the book used as they can be found for as little as 0.99 plus s/h: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0078652537/catholictreas-20 (click on Used). 

Homework: 4-5 lesson per week with 15-20 homework problems per lesson

Course name:  Middle School Math (Glencoe), Part Two

Students are welcomed to join us midyear. Email us to check on prerequisites.

Class dates: Tuesdays, January 12 to April 26, 2016. No class February 23 for midterm break or March 22 for Easter Break.

Total classes: 14 live plus 14 pre-recorded

Starting time: 2:30 PM Eastern (1:30 PM Central, 12:30 PM Mountain, 11:30 AM Pacific)

Duration: 55 minutes live classes, 25 minutes recorded

Prerequisite: Middle School Math (Glencoe), Part One or the equivalent. 

Suggested grade level: 6th grade and up

Fee: $190 if you register on or before November 15, 2015. $210 after Nov. 15  

Instructor: Emily Nardozzi, M.Ed.

Course description: Middle School Math covers fractions, decimals, integers, data analysis, algebraic expressions and equations, functions and inequalities, using formulas, and surface area and volume in a way that will be easy to understand and will provide a strong foundation for the coming math courses.  

Course materials:  Mathematics: Applications and Concepts, Course 1, Student Edition (Glencoe Mathematics), 2006 Edition.  We recommend purchasing the book used as they can be found for as little as 0.99 plus s/h: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0078652537/catholictreas-20 (click on Used). 

Homework: 4-5 lesson per week with 15-20 homework problems per lesson

A Reading List: Math and Living Literature

"I hate math!!!" Have you ever heard this from one of your children? Perhaps it was you yourself who you heard screeching in frustration. We want to introduce you to a new idea -- Math Appreciation. Yes, really, "appreciation".

If you signed your child up for piano lessons, would you sit her down to learn piano without first ever hearing beautiful music? Would you give your child a canvas and oil paints without first viewing beautiful art? We are suggesting you do the same for math.

Before introducing your child to complicated math lessons, build an appreciation. One way to do this is through living literature. Yes, there is a thing such as math lit -- real books as opposed to textbooks. We are not saying textbooks are not important. They do have their place. However, it's vitally important that they be approached with a love of learning if they are to have significant success.

Below is a math reading list from Homeschool Connections math instructor Jean Hoeft, MA. These are Jean's favorites. If this list whets your appetite, scroll to the end for other math lit resources. Trust us, give it a try. You may just end up saying, "I love math!!!"

Maureen Wittmann

Mrs. Hoeft's Top-20 List: Math Lit for All Ages

Grade School

Math Curse by Jon Scieszka 

How Much Is a Million? by David M. Schwartz

Grapes Of Math by Greg Tang

Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander

The Librarian Who Measured the Earth by Kathryn Lasky

2 X 2 = Boo!: A Set ofSpooky Multiplication Stories by Loreen Leedy

Middle School

Fantasia Mathematica edited by Clifton Fadiman

Flatland:A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin A. Abbott

A Gebra Named Al: A Novel by Wendy Isdell

TheMan Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures by Malba Tahan

TheNumber Devil: A Mathematical Adventure by Hans Magnus Enzensberger

ThePhantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Sphereland: A Fantasy About Curved Spaces and an Expanding Universe by Dionys Burger

SurrealNumbers: How Two Ex-Students Turned on to Pure Mathematics and Found TotalHappiness: A Mathematical Novelette by Donald Knuth

The Book of Numbers by John Horton Conway and Richard K. Guy

High School to Adult

Magick,Mayhen, and Mavericks: The Spirited History of Physical Chemistry by Cathy Cobb

One Two Three...Infinity: Facts and Speculations of Science by George Gamow 

Alice in Quantumland: An Allegory of Quantum Physics by Robert Gilmore

The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick

Powers of Ten: About the Relative Sizes of Things in the Universe by Philip & Phylis Morrison

More math lit lists for you ...

For the Love of Literature: Teaching Core Subjects through Literature by Maureen Wittmann

MacBeth's Opinion

Living Math

Bonus: A Great Math YouTube Channel (Fun!)

Numberphile: You'll see numbers a little differently after taking advantage of these videos. As always, with anything online, preview first.

Trigonometry Online Course

Homeschool Connections has created a brand new 6-week course to focus solely on trigonometry. It is designed to help Algebra II students prepare for Advanced Mathematics, give Advanced Mathematics students a review for Calculus, or give a refresher for students preparing for their ACT or SAT test.

To register, click here: Homeschool Connections Registration

Introduction to Trigonometry
Dates: Mondays, May 5 to June 9, 2014
Time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 Central; 2:00 Mountain; 1:00 Pacific)
Number of classes: 6
Prerequisites: Algebra 2
Suggested high school credit: 1/2 semester Math
Instructor: Jean Hoeft, MS
Course description: This course will polish students' Algebra 2 skills and prepare them for Pre-calculus / Advanced Mathematics. We will study the trigonometric functions and their inverses, polar and rectangular coordinates, the calculations of a triangle, vectors and more. Students are expected to do homework sets which are provided free by the instructor. There is no text book necessary, reference tables and notes will be provided. Students will have a working knowledge of trigonometric functions and their properties at the conclusion of the course.
Course materials: None, all course materials provided Free by the instructor.
Topics covered: Trigonometric functions, changing degrees to radians, recriprocal identities, arc lengths, writing the equations of sine and cosine functions of sinusoid graphs, graphs of secant and cosecant, simplifying trig identities, solving equations involving trigonometric identities, reference triangles, solving triangles for their angles and side lengths, and complex numbers with the complex coordinate plane.
Homework: Students should expect to spend 3-4 hours on homework a week to complete the assigned work.
Fee: $75 for all 6 classes

Equipment requirements: Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.

Misc: Mrs. Hoeft will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments. Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months. Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

Geometry and Algebra II Summer Help

Here is a great way to get ready for the upcoming school year! These 2-week summer math camps help students lay the necessary groundwork for their fall and spring studies so they are successful and reduce struggles and disappointment with learning a new math discipline. What a wonderful way to jump right into the school year running! Mrs. Hoeft loves math and her love is so contagious, that her students can't help but catch her enthusiasm

Two camps still open for registration ...

Geometry Readiness Camp
Algebra II Readiness Camp

Scroll down and learn more! 

Geometry Readiness Camp

(click on the camp title to register)

Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, August 6 to 16, 2012
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 11:30 am Eastern (10:30 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour each
Prerequisite: Algebra 1/2 and Algebra 1
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th
Fee:$100 for all 8 classes.
Course description: We will review all of the geometry concepts we know so far to get ready to take Geometry in the fall
Course outline (week by week):
Week 1: Perimeter, area, surface area and volume of figures
Week 2: Review of proof formulas and properties of shapes.
Course materials: Paper, pencil, calculator (if needed). No textbook. Worksheets provided FREE by the instructor.
Homework: One worksheet each night to be corrected in the following class period.

Algebra II Readiness Camp

(click on the camp title to register)

Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, August 6 to 16, 2012
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour each
Prerequisite: Algebra 1
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th
Fee: $100 for all 8 classes.
Course description: We will be reviewing all of the Algebra 1 concepts that we can to get ready for algebra 2 in the fall.
Course outline (week by week):
Week 1: Solving linear equations using inspection, substitution and elimination.
Week 2: Non-linear equations including quadratic, absolute value and exponential
Course materials: Paper, pencil, and calculator. No textbook. Worksheets provided FREE by the instructor.
Homework: One worksheet per day to be corrected on the following day in class.

Please don't hesitate to email (homeschoolconnections@gmail.com) or leave a comment if you have a question or suggestion. Visit our website at www.homeschoolconnections.com. 

Instructor biography: Jean Hoeft, MA Mrs. Hoeft has been a math and algebra teacher for 23 years. She has a BA from the University of Michigan and a MA from Marygrove University. Jean has taught the confirmation class at her Catholic parish for 28 years. She loves gardening, sudoku puzzles, raising chickens, reading, knitting, and everything Catholic.

Equipment requirements: Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc:
Mrs. Hoeft will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

Click on the camp title to register:

Geometry Readiness Camp
Algebra II Readiness Camp

Online Math: Geometry

Geometry

(click on course title to register)

Note: This is a 2-part course. Students are expected to also register for Part Two in the spring semester.
Class dates: Tuesdays, Sept. 11 to Dec. 4, 2012. No class Oct. 23.
Total classes: 12
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 Central), with optional office hours on Thursdays, 2:30 to 3:00 Eastern.
Duration: 75 minutes. First 15 minutes is dedicated to answering students’ homework questions.
Prerequisite: Algebra I (Unlimited Access!)
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester
Fee: $160 if you enroll on or before Aug. 1, 2012. $180 after Aug. 1 for all 12 classes.
Instructor: Jean Hoeft, MS
Course description: Students will learn the use and application of shapes and their attributes to the world around them. This course will include proofs of angles theory as well as other triangle proofs. We will be applying our knowledge of algebra to the use and calculation of shapes, lines, angles, etc.
Course materials: Saxon Geometry, text and homeschool pack
Homework: Students should spend 6-8 hours a week on homework with a test each week. All homework and tests will be submitted to the instructor for grades and corrections.
 

Instructor biography: Jean Hoeft, MA Mrs. Hoeft has been a math and algebra teacher for 23 years. She has a BA from the University of Michigan and a MA from Marygrove University. Jean has taught the confirmation class at her Catholic parish for 28 years. She loves gardening, sudoku puzzles, raising chickens, reading, knitting, and everything Catholic.

Equipment requirements: Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc:
Mrs. Hoeft will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

Geometry

(click on course title to register)

Online Math: Algebra 2

Algebra 2, Part One 

(click on course title to register)

Note: This is a 2-part course. Students are expected to also register for Part Two in the spring semester.
Class Dates: Mondays, Sept. 10 to Dec. 3, 2012. No class Oct. 22.
Total Classes: 12
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 Central), with optional office hours on Thursdays, 2:30 to 3:00 Eastern.
Duration: 75 minutes. First 15 minutes is dedicated to answering students’ homework questions.
Prerequisite: Algebra I (Unlimited Access!)
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested high school credit: 1 full semester
Fee: $160 if you enroll on or before Aug. 1, 2012. $180 after Aug. 1 for all 12 classes.
Instructor: Jean Hoeft, MS
Course description: We will complete the advanced topics in Algebra beginning with linear functions and moving through quadratic, as well as other non-linear functions, radicals and finishing with an introduction to logarithmic functions. Students should have a lengthy knowledge of variable equations and their graphs.
Course materials: Saxon Algebra 2, third edition with the test and homeschool pack.
Homework: Students should spend 6-8 hours a week on homework, taking a test once a week. Homework will be submitted to the instructor for grading and credit.

Instructor biography: Jean Hoeft, MA Mrs. Hoeft has been a math and algebra teacher for 23 years. She has a BA from the University of Michigan and a MA from Marygrove University. Jean has taught the confirmation class at her Catholic parish for 28 years. She loves gardening, sudoku puzzles, raising chickens, reading, knitting, and everything Catholic.

Equipment requirements: Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc:
Mrs. Hoeft will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

Summer School: Math Prep

Time to start thinking about summer learning! Our math prep camps are our most popular summer classes. They're a great way to shake the cob webs from your brain and prepare for the upcoming school year. Mrs. Hoeft loves math and her love is so contagious, that her students can't help but catch her enthusiasm.

Four camps for students of all ages ...

Pre-Algebra Readiness Camp

Algebra I Readiness Camp

Algebra II Readiness Camp

Geometry Readiness Camp

Scroll down and learn more! 

Pre-Algebra Readiness Camp

(click on the camp title to register)

Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, June 18 to 28, 2012
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour each
Prerequisite: Basic math skills
Suggested grade level: 7th to 9th
Fee: $100 for all 8 classes.
Course description: Pre-requisite skills for Algebra 1/2 in the fall.
Course outline (week by week):
Week 1: fractions with all operations, decimals and percents using all operations, integers using all operations.
Week 2: equation solving with one and two steps, order of operations and distributive property
Course materials: Paper, pencil, and calculator
Homework: One homework worksheet per night to be corrected and checked in the next class.

Algebra I Readiness Camp

(click on the camp title to register)

Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, June 20 to 30, 2012
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 11:30 am Eastern (10:30 Central)
Duration: 1 hour each
Prerequisite: Algebra 1/2 or its equivalent
Suggested grade level: 8th to 10th
Fee:  $100 for all 8 classes.
Course description: We will be practicing all skills needed to succeed in Algebra 1 in the fall.
Course outline (week by week):
Week 1: order of operations, distributive property, equation solving using multiple steps and two variable equations.
Week 2: graphing equations of lines and non-linear equations, functions and distrance problems
Course materials: Paper, pencil, and calculator
Homework: One homework worksheet per night to be corrected in the next class.

Algebra II Readiness Camp

(click on the camp title to register)

Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, August 6 to 16, 2012
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 10:00 am Eastern (9:00 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour each
Prerequisite: Algebra 1
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th
Fee: $100 for all 8 classes.
Course description: We will be reviewing all of the Algebra 1 concepts that we can to get ready for algebra 2 in the fall.
Course outline (week by week):
Week 1: Solving linear equations using inspection, substitution and elimination.
Week 2: Non-linear equations including quadratic, absolute value and exponential
Course materials: Paper, pencil, and calculator
Homework: One worksheet per day to be corrected on the following day in class.

Geometry Readiness Camp

(click on the camp title to register)

Class dates: Mondays through Thursdays, August 6 to 16, 2012
Total classes: 8
Starting time: 11:30 am Eastern (10:30 am Central)
Duration: 1 hour each
Prerequisite: Algebra 1/2 and Algebra 1
Suggested grade level: 10th to 12th
Fee:$100 for all 8 classes.
Course description: We will review all of the geometry concepts we know so far to get ready to take Geometry in the fall
Course outline (week by week):
Week 1: Perimeter, area, surface area and volume of figures
Week 2: Review of proof formulas and properties of shapes.
Course materials: paper, pencil, calculator (if needed)
Homework: One worksheet each night to be corrected in the following class period.

Please don't hesitate to email (homeschoolconnections@gmail.com) or leave a comment if you have a question or suggestion. Visit our website at www.homeschoolconnections.com. 

Four camps for students of all ages ...

Pre-Algebra Readiness Camp

Algebra I Readiness Camp

Algebra II Readiness Camp

Geometry Readiness Camp

Click on the camp title to register!

Algebra I and Pre-Algebra Classes Starting Soon

Our Math courses are set up as two part for the school year. Part One starting in September and Part Two starting in January. New students are welcomed to join us midyear in January. This is a great way to enhance your homeschool if you find that you need some help this semester in Math.


We will begin the semester with the following chapters:
Saxon Algebra 1/2 Chapter 61
Saxon Algebra 1 Chapter 71

Registration links:
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I

Please feel free to drop us an email at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com with any questions.

Pre-Algebra and Algebra I for Homeschoolers

Meet our math instructor and consider joining us for Pre-Algebra or Algebra in January!



For detailed information or the link to register, please click on the hyperlink:
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I

Homeschool Math: Saxon Algebra I

Math: Algebra I (Saxon); Part Two

(click on course title for registration page)

Note: This is a two-part course. However, students are welcomed to join us midyear. Please feel free to drop us an email at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com to make sure your student's progress is in line with the course schedule. We'll be starting the second semester with Chapter 61. Students who want to start at the beginning can take the recorded courses on their own (see Subscription Service).

Class dates: Mondays, January 9 to April 23, 20112. No class Jan. 23 (March for Life) or Apr. 9 (Easter Monday).
Total classes: 14
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 pm Central)
Duration: One hour 15 minutes
Fee: $160 if you enroll on or before November 1, 2011. $185 after November 1 for all 14 classes.
Instructor: Jean Hoeft, MA
Prerequisite: Math: Algebra (Saxon); Part One or equivilant
Suggested grade level: 8th to 12th
Suggested high school credit: 1 semester credit for math
Course description: This course involves all concepts needed to fulfill national requirements for Algebra I. The topics to include but not be restricted to, operations with integers, rules of multiplicative identity and additive identity, equation solving, exponential function relations, quadratic function relations and their graphs, Cartesian graphing, polynomial relations and functions, radicals and their properties as well as some work with geometric properties as a background for use in Algebra II.
Course materials: Saxon Algebra I Homeschool Kit, Third Edition, which includes the textbook, test booklet, and answer key. (If you shop around, this kit can be found from a variety of sources new or used for a reasonable price.) A different edition could be used if you already own it but it would be more difficult to follow along in class.
Homework: Students will be assigned 4-5 homework assignments per week with testing done on Fridays. Students will be required to take a placement test before entering the class to tailor studies to the individual needs of the students. Parents are asked to grade homework and tests and to send results to the instructor. The course instructor will then use these results to tailor lessons. The first 15 minutes of class will involve answering questions and doing practice problems to help the learners understand and improve on homework mistakes.

Instructor's biography: Jean Hoeft has been a math and algebra teacher for 22 years. She has a BA from the University of Michigan and a MA from Marygrove University. Jean has taught the confirmation class at her Catholic parish for 27 years. She loves gardening, sudoku puzzles, raising chickens, reading, knitting, and everything Catholic.

Equipment requirements: Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc: Mrs. Hoeft will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

Math: Algebra I (Saxon); Part Two

(click on course title for registration page)

Homeschool Math: Saxon Pre-Algebra

Math: Pre-Algebra (Saxon), Part Two

(click on course title for registration page)

Note: This is a two-part course. However, students are welcomed to join us midyear. Please feel free to drop us an email at homeschoolconnections@gmail.com to make sure your student's progress is in line with the course schedule. We'll be starting the second semester with Chapter 61. Students who want to start at the beginning can take the recorded courses on their own (see Subscription Service).

Class dates: Tuesdays, January 10 to April 24, 2011, No class Jan. 24 (March for Life) or April 3 (Holy Week)
Total classes: 14
Starting time: 4:00 pm Eastern (3:00 pm Central)
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Prerequisite: Pre-Algebra (Saxon), Part One or equivalent.
Suggested grade level: 7th to 9th grade
Fee: $160 if you register on or before November 1, 2011. $185 after Nov. 1 for all 14 classes
Instructor: Jean Hoeft
Course description: Students will begin the skills needed for Algebra I. These include but are not limited to: writing equations, slope of a line, solving simple equations, numbers and their operations, linear functions, and operations with integers.
Course materials: Saxon Algebra ½ Homeschool Kit
Homework: Students will be assigned 4-5 homework assignments per week with testing done on Fridays. Students will be required to take a placement test before entering the class to tailor studies to the individual needs of the students. Parents are asked to grade homework and tests and to send results to the instructor. The course instructor will then use these results to tailor lessons. The first 15 minutes of class will involve answering questions and doing practice problems to help the learners understand and improve on homework mistakes.

Instructor's biography: Jean Hoeft has been a math and algebra teacher for 22 years. She has a BA from the University of Michigan and a MA from Marygrove University. Jean has taught the confirmation class at her Catholic parish for 27 years. She loves gardening, sudoku puzzles, raising chickens, reading, knitting, and everything Catholic.

Equipment requirements: Students are required to have high-speed internet and a headset with microphone.
Misc: Mrs. Hoeft will be available via email in between classes for questions and comments.
Recordings of classes are provided to students within 24 hours and available for 6 months.
Homeschool Connections does not provide record keeping services.

Math: Pre-Algebra (Saxon), Part Two

(click on course title for registration page)