Math tips for parents & teachers
Real talk about teaching 3rd grade math — written by a parent who decided to do something about it.
The homework routine that actually sticks (and the one mistake that backfires)
The research-backed way to set up an elementary homework routine: why shorter is better, when helping backfires, and exactly what to do when the worksheet isn’t finished.
What your child will learn in 3rd grade math: a parent’s guide
A parent’s plain-English guide to 3rd grade math: the four big things your child will learn this year, why multiplication is the headline, and how to support each one at home.
Is your child ready for 3rd grade math? A no-panic checklist
Is your child ready for 3rd grade math? A simple checklist of the skills that matter most going in — based on the actual standards — and how to shore up gaps before school.
ADHD or dyscalculia? How to tell why math is hard for your child
ADHD or dyscalculia — why is math so hard for your child? The key differences, the overlap, and how to get a real answer through a free school evaluation.
ADHD and times tables: why math facts won’t stick (and what finally works)
Your child with ADHD can explain multiplication but can’t memorize 7 × 8? That’s not laziness — it’s working memory. Why math facts won’t stick, and what finally works.
How much summer math is actually enough? (Less than you think)
Feeling guilty about skipping summer math? Research says a little goes a long way. How much is actually enough for a rising 3rd grader — and what to skip.
7 signs your 3rd grader is falling behind in math (and what actually helps)
Worried your 3rd grader is falling behind in math? Here are 7 signs to watch for — and practical, low-pressure ways to help at home.
Read it together: why Mission Control Math is designed for two
Homework stress isn’t just hard on kids. Here’s a different way to do it — one that turns problem sets into something your family might actually look forward to.
Inside the mission: why we tell stories at math time, and why it helps kids learn
Most math workbooks are rows of problems. Mission Control Math is a space adventure where the math is the only way through. Here’s what’s inside the series.
Jenny's Rules: a memory trick for every times table
The 9s finger trick is just the beginning. Meet Ms. Huang — and the strategies she uses to make every times table stick.
Why I made a space-themed math workbook
A teacher friend kept telling me her students thought math was boring and couldn't see how it applied to the real world. Here's what I did about it.
ADHD and math: why it’s hard and what actually helps
If your child has ADHD, math struggles aren’t a motivation problem. Here’s what the research says about why it’s hard — and what actually works.
Summer math activities that actually work
What the research says about summer math loss — and the activities that keep 2nd and 3rd graders sharp without feeling like school.
When your child asks “when will I use this?”
It’s the oldest question in math class. Here are grade-by-grade answers with concrete examples parents can actually use.