How to boost math confidence with 1-on-1 tutoring

Every homeschool parent has one subject that they dread teaching. Maybe you weren't good at it in school. Or you know the subject well but aren't sure how to explain it to your kids. No matter the reason, trying to teach something you aren't comfortable with is always frustrating.   

For Outschool team member and homeschooling mom Cassie O., that subject is math. She didn't like math in school and felt overwhelmed by the prospect of teaching it to her kids. 

Cassie encountered a problem many homeschoolers have experienced: Despite her best efforts, math lessons sometimes led to arguments or tears. She knew that what she was doing wasn't working, but how could she fix it? 

Cassie recently sat down with our Community Guy, Fernando, to share how she used 1-on-1 tutoring to find homeschool math success. If you feel overwhelmed by that one subject you just don't think you can teach your children, check out what Cassie has to share about the power of tutoring. 

Below are some key takeaways from the conversation, or you can get the full recording here. Keep reading to learn how you can help boost your kid’s math skills and confidence. 

Meet Outschool team member & homeschooler Cassie O. 

Veteran homeschool mom Cassie O. has been teaching her kids for 10 years. She's also Outschool's Partnerships Specialist and a beloved member of our outreach team. Cassie's homeschooling journey highlights how unique and diverse the Outschool community really is.

As a child, Cassie attended public schools—and she loved them. She once shared with us that she was "that kid" who was always excited to be in class and do her best. When she became a parent, Cassie didn't hesitate to send her oldest daughter to a public school. 

But during her daughter's kindergarten year, that changed. Cassie noticed that her daughter often came home tired with a stack of homework that needed to be completed. It wasn't the joyful school experience that Cassie remembered from her childhood. She was eager to make a change. 

Cassie's oldest daughter is now a teen who attends a prestigious ballet training program and completes high school classes online through her local school district. Her other children are twins and are still homeschooling. 

Confronting her kid’s math challenges

Cassie told us that she isn't a big math person. She struggled with it as a child, and teaching math in her homeschooling has also been challenging. 

Another of Cassie's children, who is neurodiverse, has told her mom that "math doesn't matter." Her other child has a high math aptitude and has done well with lessons—but wants bigger challenges, too.   

Cassie realized early on in her child’s schooling that they might benefit from working with a math tutor. Her oldest daughter had a 1-on-1 in-person tutor as a child and now calls math her favorite school subject. Cassie's other kids have also benefited from working with small-group and 1-on-1 math tutors as well. 

Cassie shared that math tutoring is a great choice in a variety of situations. Your kid might need math tutoring if:

• They’re working significantly ahead of grade level and don't feel challenged by their assignments

• They’ve tested below their peers in math knowledge and ability and need extra support

• They say that they "hate math" and don't understand why it's important

• You homeschool and want extra support for teaching math 

Online homeschool classes can also be helpful if your kid constantly fights about doing math lessons. Experienced tutors can identify student learning styles, utilize different teaching methods, and build personalized relationships with even the most reluctant learners.  

Getting the most out of math tutoring

There's no doubt that Cassie's kids have benefitted from math tutoring, but it's important to remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for math learning. Some kids thrive in small group settings where they can interact with other children. Others prefer to do 1-on-1 or micro-group tutoring where they don't feel intimidated or embarrassed to share their questions. 

If you're interested in finding a math tutor, Cassie suggests:

1. Using teacher landing pages to learn more about the educator's background, experience, and areas of expertise.

2. Messaging teachers to explain your kid's needs and determine if the teacher is a good fit.

3. Watching any videos the teacher has posted to their main Outschool page and showing them to your kids to see if they connect with the teacher.

4. Evaluating the teacher's open tutoring slots against your own schedule and time zone. 

Of course, finding a middle school math tutor is different from finding a high school math tutor. Look for an educator who has experience with your child’s grade level. If you're looking for a high school tutor, be sure to search by the specific area of math you need help with (like algebra, geometry, or calculus).   

How to cope with kids who hate math 

An elementary school math tutor can help your child build foundational math skills that they'll use for the rest of their lives. They can also help your kids overcome a hatred of math. How? 

Cassie says that the answer lies in building relationships with kids. Once a tutor and learner have gotten to know one another, they have a bond of trust. The child starts to respect their tutor and value their opinion. That makes kids more receptive to learning a subject even if they say they hate it. 

Cassie also encourages her kids to use and appreciate basic math skills in everyday life. She isn't focused on making any of her kids math experts or specialists—unless that's what they want to do. Instead, she focuses on getting her kids to do basic math in settings like the grocery store so that they understand the "why" behind the skills they're learning. 

Finding homeschool math success with the help of Outschool

Teaching math as a homeschooler can feel frustrating and overwhelming, but it doesn't have to. Outschool educators offer online tutoring and classes for neurodiverse learners in a wide variety of academic areas and grade levels. 

We know that finding the right tutor can be tough—please DM us on our social media profiles if you have any questions! We love helping parents find the right classes for all of their kids.

Learn more about how to boost your kid’s confidence with our free eCourse.

Dorothy BondDorothy is a homeschooling mom and educator with over 15 years of instructional experience. She’s passionate about helping kids think creatively and tap into their natural writing skills.