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Written by Caitlin Fitzpatrick Curley of My Little Poppies

I’m sending myself to summer school this year, you guys.

First, allow me to back up a bit…

Last week, Kara and I had a chat about what I like to call Poolside Professional Development.

Before I was a homeschool mom, I was a school psychologist in Boston… and I loved professional development days. I always returned home feeling rejuvenated and inspired.

The problem is, homeschool moms don’t get professional development days. No one is going to pay for me to attend a conference in the big city.

But homeschool mamas need time to plan and feel inspired and rejuvenated too.

Summer School for Homeschool Moms

I don’t know about you guys, but I tend to feel most rejuvenated when I am reading a book, preferably near a body of water.

Cure for crabby kids: Cannonballs . Cure for crabby moms: Books. . What did homeschool look like for you today? . TGIF, all!

A post shared by MyLittlePoppies (@my_little_poppies) on May 12, 2017 at 2:19pm PDT

Last summer, I grabbed a stack of education books, tossed them in my pool bag, and got to work.

And that’s how Poolside Professional Development was born. 

This summer, I am upping my game.

(Because math is tricky.)

when math is tricky

I think homeschool moms all have that one area that we worry about. It could be writing, or social-emotional development, or any number of things.

For me, that one area is math.

Whenever doubt and second-guessing descends upon our homeschool, you can bet I’m worried about math.

I always did very well in math.

But I didn’t feel confident. And it certainly didn’t bring me joy.

I want my children to feel confident in math. And I want them to enjoy it.

I know it is possible because I have one kiddo who lives and breathes math.

He calls himself a “mathemagician” and it’s such a perfect descriptor. My little guy sees math in everything. He delights in it.

I watch my little mathemagician play math with joy and I want that, not only for my other two kiddos but for myself.

He has inspired me to go back. To start fresh. To find the joy.

math summer school for homeschool moms

This summer, I am going beyond Poolside Professional Development.

I am going to summer school. For math. 

And I’m determined to find the joy.

I’m putting it here, in writing, so that I don’t chicken out.

summer school syllabus

Are you ready for this? Here is my [math] summer school syllabus:

• [easyazon_link identifier=”0977985253″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]Arithmetic for Parents: A Book for Grownups about Children’s Mathematics[/easyazon_link] by Ron Aharoni
• [easyazon_link identifier=”0982921128″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]Dr. Wright’s Kitchen Table Math[/easyazon_link] (series) by Chris Wright, Ph.D.
• [easyazon_link identifier=”1892083205″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]Let’s Play Math: How Families Can Learn Math Together- And Enjoy It[/easyazon_link] by Denise Gaskins
• [easyazon_link identifier=”0470894520″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students’ Potential through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching[/easyazon_link]by Jo Boaler
• [easyazon_link identifier=”0201772892″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]Math Power: How to Help Your Child Love Math, Even If You Don’t[/easyazon_link] by Patricia Clark Kenschaft
• [easyazon_link identifier=”0307338401″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician’s Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks[/easyazon_link]by Arthur Benjamin and Michael Shermer
• [easyazon_link identifier=”B001S51VFO” locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]The Great Courses: Basic Math[/easyazon_link] | Taught by Professor Murray H. Siegel, Sam Houston State University
• [easyazon_link identifier=”1598039725″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]The Great Courses: Secrets of Mental Math[/easyazon_link] | Taught by Professor Arthur T. Benjamin

And here are the fun math books I plan to read aloud to my kiddos:

• [easyazon_link identifier=”1884550320″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]Further Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat[/easyazon_link] by Theoni Pappas
• [easyazon_link identifier=”1532894422″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]Math and Magic in Wonderland[/easyazon_link]by Lilac Mohr
• [easyazon_link identifier=”1929229240″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]Mr. Base Ten Invents Mathematics[/easyazon_link]by Bethanie H. Tucker
• [easyazon_link identifier=”1884550762″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]More Math Adventures with Penrose the Mathematical Cat[/easyazon_link]by Theoni Pappas
• [easyazon_link identifier=”1884550142″ locale=”US” tag=”thehomeschoolsisters-20″]The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat[/easyazon_link]by Theoni Pappas

Are you looking for more poolside professional development, or maybe just some fun summer reading?

Cait and Kara just recorded an episode about Poolside Professional Development and you can listen here:

It’s also important to remember that summer isn’t fun for everyone…

The transition to summer can be a tricky one. Finding a rhythm that works for all members of your family is no small feat. As a homeschool mom who has been running full throttle all year long, you need a break. But is a break even possible? While you fantasize about ice cream sandwiches and leisurely summer reading on the front porch, your children might be craving more structure and routine.

Listen to our episode, What’s That Noise! Summer Survival Strategies, here!

Now, it’s your turn. Tell us: do you have poolside professional development planned for this summer? Share here!

BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE HOMESCHOOL SISTERS

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PSST…DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE HOMESCHOOL SISTERS PODCAST WITHOUT SPENDING ANY EXTRA?

Many listeners have asked how they can support The Homeschool Sisters Podcast. The answer is a simple one. Do you shop online? Click our link first. You won’t pay any extra, but a small percentage goes toward The Homeschool Sisters Podcast to help offset our expenses. Every little bit counts, and we are so grateful for your support!