Restoring Mathematics
The Story Illuminated
Featured Publication
Ethan Demme quipped, “When it comes to classical education, mathematics is often the Cinderella sister: she lives in the home along with her sisters Literature, Language, and History, but she’s not really considered part of the family.” Yet, with mathematics comprising four-sevenths of the liberal arts, how mathematics should be taught in classical schools is a critical question to consider.
Our own Dr. Josh Wilkerson and Sandra Schinetsky collaborated on an article recently to address how classical school leaders and teachers think teaching math classically should be done. Read more here.
SUMMER WEBINARS
SUMMER WEBINARS
Building Thinking Classrooms in Classical Schools
July 15, 7-8 PM CST
Led by Dr. Josh Wilkerson
Building Thinking Classrooms (BTC) is a popular, researched-based approach to mathematics pedagogy. Many elements of BTC align nicely with a classical approach to teaching mathematics but some elements do not. This webinar will equip participants with an overview of BTC methods, a classical lens through which to analyze those methods, and practical examples of how to implement those methods in the classroom.
Teaching Singapore Math Classically
July 22, 7-8 PM CST
Led by Karen Berlanga
Many classical schools utilize some version of Singapore math in grades K-5 due to its emphasis on conceptual understanding and problem-solving. While Singapore math fits nicely in a classical model, it wasn't designed to be inherently classical. This webinar will equip participants with an understanding of the principles of Singapore math, the ability to critique those principles through a classical lens, and practical examples of how to teach math classically in grades K-5.
Harkness Discussions in Math
July 29, 7-8 PM CST
Led by Sandra Schinestsky
Harkness discussions are a staple of humanities courses in classical schools. Students must come to the discussion prepared with thoughtful arguments and demonstrate an ability to engage with the ideas of their classmates in a respectful way. The math classroom is ripe for these moments of critical thought engagement and debate. This webinar will equip participants with practical examples of topics and readings for math harkness discussions, directions on facilitating good conversation, and rubrics for evaluating students.
Using Dialogues to Assess Student Understanding
Led by Sandy Schinetsky, Restoring Mathematics Co-Founder and Consultant
How can we determine if students truly “understand” the ideas they are taught? Have you ever asked a student why something is true, and the student replies with “Because you told us so”?
This webinar discussed the method of “Dialogue” as a way to counteract those types of responses. In a Dialogue, students are required to teach the class certain topics, and in their preparation to teach, students learn to think about the “why” of topics. This method will work for all classes, and most especially math classes.
What Does it Mean to Teach Math Classically?
Led by Dr. Josh Wilkerson, Restoring Mathematics Co-Founder and Consultant
This webinar is open to anyone who wants to refresh their principles and practices regarding a classical Christian approach to their math classroom. Gain access to our recorded webinar, refresh your understanding of these principles and gain at least THREE tips to apply to your math classroom immediately.
Whether you attended our Restoring Mathematics Roundtable or not, every math teacher will benefit from this 1-hour webinar!
Looking Back at Roundtable 2025
Our 2025 Roundtable brought together educators from across the country for two days of learning, discussion, and collaboration in beautiful Austin, Texas. Participants heard from Dr. Francis Su, author of Mathematics for Human Flourishing, and engaged in lively roundtable conversations about the principles and practices of a classical mathematics classroom.
The event reached capacity, and we're grateful for everyone who joined us.
Who We Are
We are a group of teachers passionate about building math thinkers. We love classical Christian education and offer support, training and research to schools regarding the principles and practices of a classical math classroom. We value a positive classroom culture where affections for math are cultivated and lessons include opportunities for productive struggle, failure, perseverance, critical thinking and wonder. We help teachers become great math storytellers using proven methods and research-based data.
The Story Illuminated
A good storyteller can make a good story sound great, but a bad storyteller can take a classic story and make it sound terrible. Teachers must be equipped to know mathematics deeply, how to engage students in class and how to take any lesson and make it come alive with wonder, curiosity and discussion. Whatever the curriculum, the way we tell the story makes all the difference.
A Mathematics Catechism
What is Mathematics?
K-2: “Mathematics is playing with patterns.”
3rd- 6th: “Mathematics is examining patterns to find their meaning.”
7th-12th: “Mathematics is the science of patterns and the art of engaging the meaning of those patterns.” - Francis Su