Math + Homework = Stress ???
In this month's post, we are exploring ways families can take the stress out of math homework... and best support their children with math at home.
Old Dogs, New Math
One resource to help with this is Rob Eastaway and Mike Askew's Old Dogs, New Math. This book has been highly recommended by members of our community.
In describing the book, Amazon writes: "'Can you help me with my math homework?' If, like most parents, this question fills you with a sense of dread (or even panic), then this is the book for you. So much for the “good old days” when elementary students simply memorized their times tables and struggled through long division. Today, students are expected not just to find the right answer, but also to choose the best method for doing so—and to explain why it works. On top of that, students are learning new strategies—even for basic arithmetic—that look foreign to many parents: What are open number lines, decomposing and nets, and how do you multiply on a grid? If your attempts to help your child are met with 'That’s not how the teacher does it,' then it’s time to take the stress out of math homework... Complete with sample questions, examples of children’s errors, and over 25 games and activities, Old Dogs, New Math will not only demystify math, but also help you and your child discover math all around you—and have fun doing it!" |
In his review of Old Dogs, New Math, Stanford University's (and NPR's "Math Guy") Keith Devlin writes, “This delightful little book is perfect for parents who want to understand the different methods to do arithmetic their children are learning—and why they are being taught that way. The authors’ easygoing style and humor should help ease the path for parents for whom mathematics brings feelings of dread."
Click here to learn more about Old Dogs, New Math.
Click here to learn more about Old Dogs, New Math.
A Family Friendlier Math Glossary
A family friendlier Math Glossary - for homework help, quick reference, and other math related emergencies!
What Your Child Will Learn, By Grade
The New Howard County Public School System has created another resource which you might find useful as you work to support your children at home. This tool is dubbed "SMART" standards, for Student (and Family) Mathematics Activities Resources and Tools.
These SMART pages include helpful visuals, walkthroughs and examples of the concepts/skills students will learn. They are sorted by grade and correspond with the Common Core Standards. Take a look at the support pages for your child's grade: K SMART Support Page 1st Grade SMART Support Page 2nd Grade SMART Support Page 3rd Grade SMART Support Page 4th Grade SMART Support Page 5th Grade SMART Support Page |
Know another resource which the 321 community might find useful? Reach out to us at [email protected] and let us know!