Parents & Caregivers
The "New" Math
In 2009, many states shifted to the Common Core Standards. This change left many parents, and teachers, overwhelmed and frustrated. Parents were left unable to help their students at home due to this "new math" that was being taught in schools.
Although there have been shifts, the math is still the same. The Common Core gave us a new focus. Prior to 2009, the priority was getting the correct answer as quickly as possible. Our focus now is on the process of how you got the answer, and being able to explain mathematically.
Many feel the Common Core asks students to have a more conceptual understanding of math topics, rather than a quick "trick" or rote memorization. This deeper thinking allows students to make connections across topics and gives them a more flexible way of thinking.
As a teacher, I felt this book, Adding Parents to the Equation, was eyeopening. I felt it provided a lot of answers to questions many parents were asking. It provides clarity and understanding of the Common Core and offers insight on ways to bridge school and home. With the help of this book, you can gain more confidence on how to best support your child with Common Core math.
Check out these fun ways to help your student learn their multiplication facts. It doesn't always have to be boring; practicing multiplication can be fun! Take a look at the ideas and ask your student what they would enjoy doing... writing their facts 20x each OR one of these engaging activities? Maybe you can play with them!
Fun Ways to Practice Multiplication Facts at Home
Spiral!
Created by Math Geek Mama
Click on the image to find the rules to play!
Make Arrays!
Using paints, Q-tips and the backside of wrapping paper, students can build arrays and write the equation at the bottom!
To solve, students just count the total dot in their array.
Checkers!
Using a checker board I found at the Dollar Tree, ( I also found a printable version here) I placed stickers (numbered 0-12) on the black squares. Before a student could move or jump an opponent, they needed to solve the multiplication fact. If we were working on our 4 facts, they would multiply the number on the sticker by 4! I had a whiteboard out for students to use to help them solve the facts they didn't know.
Memory!
Make Flashcards of the fact(s) your student is practicing. Be sure to label Facts & Product (answer) so they pick one from each set. Students continue finding pairs until all facts have been matched with the correct product.
Growth Mindset
My teaching philosophy is built around growth mindset. The phrase 'growth mindset' was created by Stanford University psychologist Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
According to her book, Mindset, "People with a fixed mindset—those who believe that abilities are fixed—are less likely to flourish than those with a growth mindset—those who believe that abilities can be developed."
I shared this belief with my students. Students need to understand that mistakes are proof that you are learning, challenges are a good thing, and there's no such thing as "bad at math."
We need to transition away from calling our students "smart." Research has shown that students that are referred to as "smart" will eventually shut down when given challenging tasks in hopes to avoid looking not smart if they don't know it.
Students don't need to be praised on what they did, but instead on their dedication, hard work and perseverance it took to achieve. Praise the process.
Growth Mindset Poster
This is a great poster to have in a spot where your child completes their homework. It offers a new way of thinking and replacing a fixed mindset with a more optimistic way of thinking!
Check it out on Amazon by clicking the image.
Growth Mindset Praise Cheat Sheet for Parents
This is a great reference to look to when praising your child and breaking the mold of praising what they did and switching that praise to acknowledging the process it took them to get them there.
Click the cheat sheet to print out your own copy from parentotheca.com
Common Core Standards for Mathematics Explained
NBT.1- Use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10 and 100.
Example: 132 rounded to the nearest 10 is 130.
132 rounded to the nearest 100 is 100.
NBT.2- Fluently add and subtract within 1,000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between + and -.
Students should be able to add 2 and 3-digit numbers with efficiency and accuracy. They should be able to use appropriate math strategies such as, base ten, number line, algorithms, etc. Students should also be able to use the inverse (opposite) operations to properly help them solve.
NBT.3- Multiply one-digit whole numbers by multiples of 10 in the range 10-90 using strategies based on place value and properties of operations.
For example, students should know 3 x 70 = 210 because they can use the distributive property to break 70 into (7 x 10). Then solve (3 x 7 ) x 10.