In this episode of "Ten Minutes to a Better Homeschool," host Pam Barnhill and guest Denise Gaskins, veteran homeschool mom and author of a dozen playful math books like, Let's Play Math, How Families Can Learn Together and Enjoy It, and Math You Can Play delve into the world of homeschool math education. Denise shares five essential tips to transform math lessons without the need for a complete overhaul of the curriculum.

The episode covers the vital role of fostering mathematical thinking and reasoning in children, rather than solely focusing on right answers. Denise emphasizes the importance of shifting the goal of math education from achieving correct answers to encouraging children to think critically about math concepts.

If you’re seeking actionable advice to enhance your child's math learning experience at home, then tune in for this informational and empowering episode.

Key Takeaways:

• Focus on the thinking process in math rather than just getting the right answers, to help children make sense of math and reduce frustration.
• Encourage children to think creatively and resourcefully about math problems, rather than telling them what to do, to engage their problem-solving skills and natural creativity.
• Utilize stories to build understanding in math, as they help children visualize and comprehend abstract number calculations, making math concepts more relatable and understandable.
• Empower parents to make decisions about math curriculum and resources, and emphasize the importance of exploring different areas of math based on children's interests and readiness, rather than feeling constrained by a linear progression.
• Emphasize the use of math games to engage children in practicing and applying math skills, promoting strategic thinking rather than just rote memorization, to make math enjoyable and enhance learning.

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to https://pambarnhill.com/how-to-transform-math-lessons-without-changing-your-curriculum-with-denise-gaskins/

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.

In this episode of "Ten Minutes to a Better Homeschool," Pam Barnhill welcomes Durenda Wilson, a seasoned homeschooler and author of the book, "Raising Boys to Men." The conversation revolves around the unique aspects of homeschooling boys, advice for moms navigating the challenges, and the importance of an unhurried approach to learning. Durenda shares insights into the differences between educating boys and girls, emphasizing the need for more hands-on and active learning experiences for boys. She also highlights the significance of understanding and respecting the natural inclinations and developmental pace of boys, emphasizing an open and flexible approach.

The episode delves into the cultural messages surrounding masculinity and the challenges moms may encounter in setting boundaries and maintaining authority over their teen boys. Durenda's advice on maintaining respect and honor while allowing boys to take on responsibilities provides valuable insights for parents.

Listeners will find practical tips and strategies for homeschooling boys, addressing the societal influences impacting masculinity and the benefits of an unhurried approach to learning. Pam and Durenda's discussion offers an enlightening and informative resource for parents navigating the homeschooling journey of raising boys.

Key Takeaways

• Boys and girls have different learning styles and needs when it comes to education; understanding and accommodating these differences is crucial for effective homeschooling.
• Homeschooling boys often involves a more hands-on and physical approach, with the need for frequent breaks and an unhurried pace to accommodate their development.
• Boys tend to be more logic-oriented and may struggle with writing, requiring alternative methods such as narration and creative communication to cultivate their skills without causing stress.
• The societal narrative around gender and masculinity presents challenges for homeschooling moms, requiring a return to foundational principles and a biblical perspective to guide boys into healthy manhood.
• Dealing with boys in their preteen and teen years involves understanding their need for autonomy and providing them with responsibilities while maintaining authority and respect, with guidance and input from fathers being crucial.
• Taking an unhurried approach to homeschooling boys allows them to respond better to learning, fosters a love for learning, and dispels the misconception that starting early gives an advantage, as studies have shown the opposite to be true.
• The importance of recognizing and leveraging alternative methods of learning outside traditional approaches, including reading aloud, games, audiobooks, and podcasts, to engage boys effectively.

Links and Resources

• Night Zookeeper
• Durenda's website
• Simply Unhurried Podcast
• Raising Boys to Men
• The 4 Hour School Day
• The Unhurried Homeschooler
• Unhurried Grace for a Mom's Heart

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to

In this episode of "Ten Minutes to a Better Homeschool," guest host Dawn Garrett introduces an insightful excerpt from the Navigating High School Course. This excerpt features an interview with Dr. Kristin Moon, founder of kristenmoonscience.com, a former scientist who homeschools her children and shares with homeschool families her passion for teaching high school science.

Dr. Moon discusses the importance of hands-on experiences in learning and she offers practical tips for parents who are considering teaching lab sciences to their high schoolers. Listeners will gain valuable information and resources for providing a quality science education at home, making this episode an essential listen for homeschooling parents seeking guidance on science education.

Key Takeaways:

• Lab sciences in high school provide a hands-on experience that helps students connect abstract concepts to real-world applications, making the material more understandable and memorable.
• Lab sciences also foster resilience, problem-solving skills, a sense of wonder, and the ability to handle experiments that don't work as expected.
• While outsourcing lab sciences to science educators is an option, there are also online resources and self-paced courses available for parents who choose to teach lab sciences at home.
• Dr. Kristin Moon offers self-paced high school biology and chemistry courses, designed to work with various science textbooks, providing resources and materials for conducting experiments at home.
• Parents can find Dr. Kristin Moon at Kristin Moon Science on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and can access her curriculum and valuable science teaching resources on her website at kristinmoonscience.com.

Links and Resources

• Night Zookeeper
• Navigating High School
• Dr Moon's Website
• Dr Moon's YouTube
• Home Science Tools

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to https://pambarnhill.com/tmbh89

To join our free homeschool community, you can create an account right here.