In the world of classical homeschooling movement, a groundbreaking development is currently taking shape. Classical Conversations, a leader in classical Christian education, is introducing The Math Map, a first-of-its-kind classical math curriculum designed to transform how students engage with mathematical concepts. In a recent talk, CC founder Leigh Bortins shared her vision for this approach, emphasizing community learning, adaptability, and a fresh perspective on mathematical understanding. This new curriculum promises to change not just how math is taught by parents, but how it’s perceived and internalized by students of all ages.
The Philosophy Behind The Math Map
At the heart of The Math Map is a fundamental shift in perspective. Leigh stressed that this curriculum is not just about calculations, but about “reading math.” This change in approach aims to make mathematics more accessible and less intimidating for students of all ages and abilities.
“We need to be saying our children are reading math,” Leigh emphasized. This perspective shift is crucial in breaking down the barriers that often exist between students and mathematical concepts. By treating math as a language to be read and understood, rather than a series of problems to be solved, The Math Map seeks to foster a deeper and more intuitive understanding of mathematical principles.
The curriculum is designed to help students see the patterns in mathematics and understand the language of numbers, rather than simply memorizing formulas. This approach aligns closely with classical education principles, which emphasize understanding the grammar of a subject before moving on to more complex applications.
Structure and Mapping of the Curriculum
The Math Map is meticulously organized into 13 domains, ranging from basic digits to complex transcendental concepts. This structure allows for a comprehensive coverage of mathematical concepts while maintaining a clear progression of difficulty.
Key features of the curriculum structure include:
- Color-coded levels for easy navigation: Each domain is assigned a specific color, making it easy for students and parents to identify and track progress.
- Consistent layout across levels: Whether a student is working on basic arithmetic or complex calculus, the page layout remains consistent. This uniformity aids in familiarity and eases the transition between levels.
Leigh explained, “If you look at digits, naturals and integers, that would be more . . . little kiddos and they’re just going to be doing a lot of tracing and copying and things like that to build the vocabulary.” As students progress, they move through decimals, rationals, and eventually to algebraic skills, with the curriculum adapting to their increasing capabilities.
Flexibility and Adaptability
One of the most striking aspects of The Math Map is its inherent flexibility. Leigh emphasized that this curriculum is designed to meet students where they are, rather than forcing them into predetermined grade levels.
Key aspects of this flexibility include:
- Multi-level study: Students can work at different levels within the same community. For example, a student struggling with fractions could work on that level in a Challenge A class, even if the class is generally working on more advanced concepts.
- Narrow or broad domain study: The curriculum allows students to focus deeply on areas where they need more practice, or to expand their study to broader concepts if they’re ready.
- Accommodation of various learning speeds and styles: The Math Map recognizes that students learn at different paces and in different ways. It provides multiple entry points and paths through the material to suit individual needs.
Leigh noted, “We need to get over this graded system idea . . . Let’s start with the narrowest kind of domain and get broader and broader and broader.”
Community-Focused Learning
A cornerstone of Classical Conversations’ approach has always been community learning, and The Math Map fully embraces this principle. Leigh emphasized the importance of community in mathematics education:
- Synchronized learning: All students in a community work on the same concepts each week, regardless of their individual level. This synchronization allows for rich discussions and shared experiences.
- Peer support and collaborative learning: Students can help each other understand concepts, even if they’re working at different levels within the same domain.
- Family integration: The curriculum enables siblings of different ages to study together, fostering a family-wide engagement with mathematics.
“We’re a community because we’re all working on week 17 at my community,” Leigh explained, highlighting how this approach creates a shared experience across different age groups and ability levels.
Resources and Support
The Math Map comes with a comprehensive suite of supporting materials designed to enhance the learning experience:
- Flashcards: These are crucial for building vocabulary and mastering basic calculations. Leigh stressed, “If you’re diving into the curriculum and not doing the flashcards, you’re doing your child a disservice.”
- Digital companion: This resource provides detailed explanations and solutions, accessible through an intuitive interface. “It’s a one-stop shop,” Leigh explained, noting that it includes audio and video content to support various learning styles.
- Integration of art and literature: The curriculum incorporates artistic and literary elements to provide context and spark interest in mathematical concepts.
- Games and activities: The Math Map includes various games and activities designed to make learning math fun and engaging.
Rollout Plan and Pricing
Leigh outlined a careful rollout plan for The Math Map:
- The Complex level will be available in early 2024.
- Other levels will be released gradually over the next few years.
- Initial pricing is set at $119 per level, though Leigh noted this may be subject to adjustments.
The gradual release allows for thorough testing and refinement of each level before it’s made widely available. Leigh emphasized the importance of this measured approach: “You don’t want us to launch all of them at once. You want us to do 1 or 2 things at a time in order to make sure it’s done as well as possible.”
Addressing Concerns and Challenges
Leigh acknowledged that transitioning to a new curriculum can be challenging, especially for families accustomed to traditional math programs. She addressed several common concerns.
- Transition from other curricula: For families using programs like Saxon, Leigh suggested starting with the Naturals level of The Math Map to become familiar with the approach.
- Cost considerations: While recognizing the investment required, Leigh offered solutions for large families, such as treating the curriculum as non-consumable or purchasing every other level.
- Integration with CC programs: The Math Map is designed to integrate seamlessly with CC’s Challenge programs, though Leigh emphasized the importance of community participation regardless of the home curriculum used.
The Math Map: First of Its Kind
The Math Map represents a significant paradigm shift in mathematics education within the Classical Conversations community and potentially beyond. By focusing on understanding, flexibility, and community learning, this curriculum aims to make mathematics more accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for students of all levels.
As Bortins eloquently put it, “We don’t want our children to ever feel excluded from any form of human endeavor. We don’t want people saying, ‘I’m a math person’ or ‘I’m a literature person.’ We just want you to say you’re a person.”
To support this vision, Classical Conversations has developed a robust ecosystem around The Math Map. Members can already access The Math Map Naturals through CC Connected, providing an early opportunity to explore this curriculum. Additionally, The Math Map Companion, available digitally, offers a wealth of resources including worked example problems, additional explanations, a comprehensive glossary (with audio version), and instructional videos. This digital companion ensures that parents and students have the support they need at their fingertips.
Further enhancing the community aspect, Leigh Bortins and Kirsty Gilpin, two of the math curriculum experts behind The Math Map, host a weekly book club. This regular gathering provides an excellent opportunity for parents and educators to deepen their understanding of the curriculum and discuss implementation strategies.
As The Math Map rolls out over the next few years, it has the potential to transform not just how students engage with mathematics, but how they perceive their own capabilities and the role of math in their lives. By treating mathematics as a language to be read and understood, rather than a series of problems to be solved, The Math Map may well foster a generation of students who approach math with curiosity and confidence, ready to apply mathematical thinking to all areas of life.
This innovative approach to mathematics education reflects Classical Conversations’ commitment to continual improvement and adaptation in service of their educational mission. As homeschooling families and classical educators watch the rollout of The Math Map with interest, it may well set a new standard for how we think about and teach mathematics in the 21st century.
