kate [loop] hannon - Christian Perspective

Posted on August 17, 2026 by kate [loop] hannon

Parenting Moment: A Servant of Christ or of Our Children?

Every year, fall brings with it the challenge of deciding on a new fall schedule. What activities do we say yes to, and which ones do we say no to?

When writing the Philippians, Paul introduced himself as a servant of Jesus (see Philippians 1:1). That wording has had me thinking lately about what my calendar says I serve.

It’s all-too-easy to put things on our calendar just because our children want them or because we feel like a good mom would do that activity. And it’s all-too-easy to find ourselves frantic and without time for evangelism and discipleship opportunities.

Remember as you think through your calendar this fall to keep Christ your master, not your children or your own expectations of motherhood or what others think. After all, if we want to raise our children to prioritize Christ, we need to model that for them. We need to train them that life is about God, not them, not just by sacrificing our own desires for them, but also by sometimes teaching them to sacrifice their own desires for God’s priorities. Christ needs to stay the Master.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Philippians 1:1 (ESV)

Posted on August 17, 2026August 17, 2026 by kate [loop] hannon

Short Story: The Boy with the Harmonica

Jaden couldn’t believe the amazing gift his father had given him: his very own harmonica! He quickly mastered the implement and loved playing it.

He began playing it all day. He played it early in the morning before anyone else woke up.

“Stop it!” His brother groaned, rolling over in bed, but Jaden didn’t care. He kept playing.

He played it next to his other brother while he was studying. “Stop it!” His brother pleaded, but Jaden just kept playing. It was kind of fun to annoy him.

He played it instead of doing his own studying and chores, not caring if he got anything else done. Playing the harmonica was all that mattered.

He played it during lunch, making it impossible for anyone to talk at the table. He kept playing, hoping someone would notice how great of a player he’d become.

Jaden finally stopped when he heard his father’s voice summoning him.

“Jaden,” his father said quietly, “why do you think I gave you the harmonica?”

Jaden thought for a minute. “Because you knew I’d like it?”

His father smiled. “Why else do you think?”

Jaden wasn’t quite sure. He looked at his father questioningly.

“I gave it to you to bless others with music. Music can make people smile. It can help pass weary hours. But do you think you’ve used it as a blessing today?”

Jaden thought of his brothers’ reactions. They hadn’t seemed blessed. “No-oo,” he admitted.

His father nodded. “Remember, son, your gift is to bless others, not to serve yourself, annoy your brothers, or get attention. Okay?”

Jaden nodded. He needed to remember the purpose of his gift.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

Posted on July 9, 2026July 9, 2026 by kate [loop] hannon

Fireworks, Math, & the Creator

As we celebrated our nation’s 250th birthday last week, many went out to see fireworks. Now’s a great time to stop and think about all the math that goes into planning a firework display, along with the wonder of how God governs creation consistently enough that fireworks are even possible (which math helps us see).

Let’s start with planning the display. Here are a few examples of some math involved!

Costs – Say a city has a $100,000 budget for a firework display. That cost might need to include paying a band, bringing in police officers, and other general costs in addition to the costs of the fireworks themselves. Basic math would help compare different options. For example, say they’re selecting different fireworks for a certain 30 seconds of the show.
- How much would ten $50 fireworks cost (Answer: 10 x $50 = $500)?
- How much more would it be to get 8 of $75 larger fireworks? (Answer: 8 x $75 = $600; $600 – $500 = $100)
Comparing – If one firework show shot off 100,000 fireworks altogether and another did 25,000, how much more did the one do than the other? (Answer: 100,000 – 25,000 = 75,000)
Buying Fireworks on Clearance – If you buy a $50 firework on a 40% off clearance, how much would you spend? (Answer: 40% of $50 is $20, or 0.40 x $50 = $20. Thus the final price is $50 – $20 = $30.)

Math is indeed a useful tool that helps with real-life tasks. Now let’s stop and think about the fireworks themselves, as fireworks not only require lots of math in their development and deployment, but our ability to put on firework displays points to our amazing Creator.

Fireworks contain carefully measured mixtures of chemicals. Different compounds containing metal produce different colors when heated, and manufacturers must mix them in just the right proportions (which we study in math!) to create bright, reliable colors. Manufacturers can only declare with confidence that a firework is red, blue, etc., because the same combinations of chemicals consistently produce the same reactions. And why do they do that? Because God created and sustains a consistent world!

Fireworks also include a fuse—a material that burns while the firework travels up so that the shell bursts safely high in the air and not near the ground. Manufacturers have to observe how quickly different materials they could use as a fuse burn up, and then select the right material and length to make the explosion at the desired point. Designing a fuse involves math, and again relies on materials burning in a consistent fashion.

Example: Suppose a fuse burns at 24 seconds per foot. How many feet of fuse are needed for it to burn for 6 seconds? (Answer: 24 sec. was divided by 4 to get 6 sec.; 1 ft. divided by 4 is 0.25 ft. Answer is 0.25 ft., or 3 in.)

How do we know what angle to launch a firework? Or how high it will travel before bursting? Again, we observe the consistencies God created and sustains in creation, such as gravity and the predictable path of a projectile. These consistencies can be described algebraically. Computers use lots of advanced math to calculate when to launch each firework and at what angle so the burst occurs at the desired place and exactly the right moment in the music. This is only possible because of the consistent way God governs creation! If He were not holding this world together in a consistent fashion, we’d have no reason to expect fireworks to go off in a consistent way.

There’s much, much more we could talk about with fireworks, such as the lift charge needed to get the firework off the ground or the arrangement of stars in a shell, but hopefully that gives you a glimpse into how math helps us with fireworks…and how our ability to use math like this relies on God’s faithfulness in holding all things together. As you think back on the Fourth of July with your children, remember to praise the great Creator and Sustainer of all. And know that the math you learn applies outside of a textbook!

Looking for next year’s math curriculum? Check out our middle and high school courses that show students the purpose to math and how it points to the Creator at every turn! And don’t miss our supplemental resources that you can use with younger ones to bring math to life for them.

Posted on June 17, 2026June 17, 2026 by kate [loop] hannon

Short Story: Truly Free?

“I wonder, is it possible live in a free country and yet not really be free?”

John nodded. “Sure. Some of our fellow college students are enslaved to tons of debt. But not me. I’ve been working like crazy to stay financially free. Two side jobs and all these scholarships. No wonder I’m so tired.”

“So you’d say you’re completely free then?” John’s friend and co-student probed.

“Of course I am. What kind of question is that?”

His friend, Jason, smiled. “I’m not so sure, John.”

“Whatever do you mean?”

“Well, if you’re completely free, prove it.”

John squirmed. “How?”

“Be perfectly good for one day. That means you do and think and say everything you should, and nothing you shouldn’t. Deal?”

John thought about the challenge. He considered himself a good person, but he wasn’t sure he could meet that mark. Maybe if he tried…

“All right, I’ll try. You’ll owe me an apology tomorrow when I pass your little test.”

With that, John turned and headed towards his house. He no sooner entered than he discovered some of his favorite collector items were missing from his room. “Braden!” he screamed, anger filling his whole body. Before he knew it, he’d given his brother a piece of his mind. In the middle of his outburst, he remembered Jason’s challenge. Was he really acting the way he should right then?

Just then, his mom told him to take out the trash. “Why is that always my job?” he muttered to himself. Oh dear. Was grumbling really right?

His evening continued in this manner. John was shocked to discover how often he fell into thinking, saying, and doing things he shouldn’t, even though he was trying so hard.

The next day, he sought out his friend Jason on campus after his first class of the day. “We’ve got to talk.”

Jason smiled as he listened to his friend’s struggles. “You aren’t surprised, are you?” John asked.

Jason shook his head. “Not at all. I just thought maybe you needed to see that slavery can be inside as well as outside. But now that you see it, there’s hope. That is, if you’re willing to face it and receive the freedom offered.”

Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” John 8:34 (ESV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (ESV)

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 1 Peter 2:16 (ESV)

—

As we get ready to celebrate the incredible freedom we enjoy in our country, it’s a great time to talk with others about the even greater spiritual and eternal freedom offered through Jesus Christ. Jesus died to pay the price for our freedom from sin’s consequences, His power is present in the believer’s life to help us live free from its grip today, and one day He will rescue those who trust Him completely from sin’s influence to live forever in a perfect world in Heaven. This gospel tract is an easy one to give out that has the freedom theme. If you have more questions about how to be made free from sin and its consequences, please write me and check out this free study of the Gospel of John.

Posted on April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 by kate [loop] hannon

Math and Weddings

In helping a friend plan her wedding, I was recently reminded of how math applies in planning an event. Here are a few ideas to share with your students.

A. Total cost given per-person cost: If the caterer charges $29.50 a guest, and you have 80 guests, how much will food cost? If you increase to 90 guests, how much will your catering cost go up?

B. Total with tip: If your total caterer bill is $2,500, and you add a 20% gratuity off the $2,500, how much would the total with tip be?

C. Here is what you’ve spent on center table decorations: $41.23, $32.12, $20.15, and $50.60. If all that decorates 5 tables, what is the cost per table?

D. The baker charges $356 for a cake that feeds 50. What is the cost per person?

Always remember, math is a useful tool that helps us with real-life tasks!

Solutions: A. $29.50 x 80 =$2,360.00; if increase to 90, total is $29.50 x 90=$2,655.00; difference is $2,655.00-$2,360.00=$295.00.
B. 1.20 x $2,500 = $3,000 (Multiplied by 1.20 to include the 20% tip, as 100% + 20% = 120% = 1.20; could also have found 20% and added that to $2,500).
C. $41.23+$32.12+$20.15+$50.60=$144.10; $144.10/5=$28.82
D. $356/50=$7.12

Need a curriculum that shows students every concept as a useful tool? Check out Kate’s Middle School and High School curriculum, along with elementary supplements that can enrich whatever curriculum you use. Enjoy 30% off most materials through the end of April!

Posted on April 16, 2026 by kate [loop] hannon

Parenting Moment: Cherish

My child has been growing so fast lately I keep having to pinch myself. Where did my little one go?

Growth spurts remind us of what we already know intellectually but forget sometimes practically: our children won’t stay young forever. Let’s not forget to cherish the blessing they are, thanking God for them and choosing to enjoy them. And if we want them to enjoy learning, let’s make sure we’re enjoying teaching them too.

It’s too easy to let the challenges of parenting rob us of its joys, but they’ll be a day when they won’t be little any more.

Posted on April 16, 2026 by kate [loop] hannon

Short Story: A Blessing on Every Wave

Hannah sat thoughtfully on the shoreline, just close enough to the ocean for the waves to reach her feet, keeping her cool on the hot summer day. As one wave splashed around her, she noticed a beautiful shell left behind. Instinctively, she grabbed the shell and turned it over in her hands. It was beautiful–an amazing tiny gift that had she not noticed might have slipped back out to sea or been trampled underfoot by one of the many people running in and out of the water.

On the next wave, Hannah noticed another shell–a different kind, but equally amazing. Soon, she had to take her hat off to hold all the shells she’d found. These tiny treasures arrived on every ocean wave, yet Hannah realized she’d never noticed or appreciated them before. Looking around her, it seemed no one else was noticing them either. Could these beautiful gifts have become so taken for granted no one even saw them anymore but rather trampled or ignored them?

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Posted on March 27, 2026March 30, 2026 by kate [loop] hannon — Leave a comment

Math for Kids Who Don’t Get It

Over the years, I’ve heard from many parents who have children struggling with math. It’s a subject synonymous with frustration for many.

Often, the frustration tones down when students are really shown math’s purpose. When students understand why they’re learning something and are given opportunities to apply it outside of a textbook, there becomes a purpose to learning that’s sadly lacking in many math presentations. As Christians, we should want to show our students math as a way of describing God’s creation, which involves actually letting them see math in action.

For some students, though, that’s not enough. God has wired them in a way where they need additional help memorizing facts and mathematical processes.

My son is one of those. I tried everything I could think of to help him learn his math facts, but it felt like they’d never stick. Reading, too, seemed an impossibility until I found out he likely has dyslexia and began teaching him differently. Watching his progress in reading with a change in approach led to exploring how to change his approach in math too.

While there are a lot of different ways to help struggling math learners, I want to share just one in this post: visuals. Some people’s brains (including my son’s) remember pictures rather than words. This is often referred to as “right-brained” learning; although we all have two sides to our brain, some learners tend to remember better if taught pictorially.

Switching to a more visual-based curriculum helped my son tremendously, but I learned I still had to modify when we hit various stick points, such as with multiplication facts. When I used a program with visual aids for his multiplication facts [Right-Brained Multiplication and Division], he went from hating multiplication to loving it and wanting to learn more in a day. (At least that one day—all kids have their good and bad days.) I began researching ways to make math more visual, both for him and other students wired visually.

Here are a couple of examples of using visual cues (combined with patterns when possible) to help aid memory:

When multiplied, 1 is like a running back who runs away, leaving the other number behind.
The negative sign is ornery. It always wants the opposite.
When two are together, they get hurt and make a medical sign (the + sign).
Manipulatives can also be a great visual. Try to be consistent with them. Visually-orietented students are memorizing the picture of the manipulative, not the fact or the rules, so they need to see it built the same way over and over again repetitively. Manipulatives that help students think in terms of what makes 10 seem to work best.
7 + 4 = 11
In the picture, 7 and 3 make 10. The extra 1 makes 11.

Manipulatives can also help make prealgebra more visual. A circle or household object can be used as a placeholder for the unknown.

As they get older, math can be made more visual by such things as using color (such as a different color for the top and bottom of a fraction, different units of measure, different unknowns, or congruent sides or angles) and taking notes (in which they can use color and draw their own visual aids as needed).

There’s a lot more that could be said about helping struggling math learners, but hopefully that give you a few ideas. If your child is struggling with a math concept, I’d love if you dropped a comment and shared about it. I will either respond there with some ideas to try or address it in a future post! Be sure to also check out the resources below for help in making math more visual.

Pictorial Resources
– New visual aids – I’ve put a bunch of pictorial ideas in Visual Aids that are now available as part of my Principle of Mathematics eCourses. The eCourses themselves also show concepts more visually than a textbook can.

– The Big Book of Math is an awesome tool to show visual learners math’s purpose.

Posted on October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 by kate [loop] hannon

Parenting Moment: A Blueprint for Parenting?

Have you ever wished your child came with a step-by-step blueprint? One that included navigating through the ever-changing complexities of growing up, from the wordless cries of infancy to the hormone-driven reactions of middle and high school?

But God doesn’t give us a blueprint…or does He?

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

Wait a minute--every good work would include parenting! God has given us the “blueprint,” so to speak, for raising our children in the Scriptures–the Bible.

Now I know, the Bible doesn’t say exactly what to do with that baby who won’t go to sleep or that middle schooler who’s determined not to do his schoolwork. But it tells us what we need to walk through these stages in a righteous way. It tells us to pray and “give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV). It tells us that, “A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1 ESV). It encourages wise counsel (Proverbs 24:6), and tells us we need others (Hebrews 10:24-25). It bids us give Jesus, our Great High Priest who understands (Hebrews 4:14-16), our cares (1 Peter 5:7).

It offers us Jesus, and encourages us to let Him use the “various trials” (James 1:2) in our lives (including parenting!) to grow us. As we look at Jesus and trust what He has revealed in His Word, not our own understanding, He promises to lead and guide us.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

Posted on October 24, 2025October 24, 2025 by kate [loop] hannon

Math Blog: Consumer Math Interview

Earlier this fall, I had the privilege of doing an interview with the Homeschool Minnesota podcast about Consumer Math. Check out the recording to learn…

why teaching students consumer math is so important.
how the biblical worldview affects how we view money.
more about my Consumer Math course, including where it fits into a high school schedule.
some things that can be done to start preparing students to be wise stewards even before high school.
and more!

I hope the podcast will encourage you.

Prefer Audio Only? Listen to the podcast version or look for the Homeschool Minnesota podcast wherever you normally listen to podcasts.

Author: kate [loop] hannon