Teaching Math as a Parent
For 9 years I taught middle and high school math to thousands of students in Fresno, CA. For the past five years I’ve worked to enable efficient use of digital resources for use in mathematics instruction. I have a BA in Mathematics and a Masters in Curriculum, plus 6 years experience teaching Masters Degree students… but teaching math to my own kids is the hardest classroom I’ve ever had!
My oldest started Transitional Kindergarten last week in Oak Grove School District here in San Jose. I’ve researched activities and questions, yet being able to guide them through inquiry as Dad is something I am trying to do much better at.
This post briefly shares some resources I’m using Links in the titles goes to the Amazon pages of the books but I am not getting paid by anyone here. In fact if you are the author and want me to correct something please reach out!
Books
Math Recess by Dr. Christopher Brownell and Sunil Singh
I put this one first because while it does indeed have some great mathematics contained within, the most exciting part is the mindset it fosters. The authors discuss both classroom experiences and their own upbringings discouraged or encouraged mathematical thinking — and that, “not a math person” is something one should never say are not!
Dr. Brownell was my own professor of mathematics in college and Sunil writes extensively on Medium and speaks on how the current math education system needs to change!
Adding Parents to the Equation (Hilary Kreisberg and Matthew Beyranavand)
I’m about halfway through this, and it has some great activities and strategies. I love how it talks candidly about what is good and bad for both parents and kids. IE why filling in a kids homework on your own is bad even if their short term grade suffers, whereas having the students write a note to their teacher with information about what they didn’t understand/what to do next is good! Of particular interest is how the authors explain the process of learning mathematics for young students, and then practical examples of how to make that process come to life with manipulatives and through conversation.
Table Talk Math by John Stevens
What I love about this book is that it stresses finding math in the everyday… so things like having math placements one can purchase to “add in” some math conversation to dinner, from games you can play with your kids like walking in unique patterns. There are also many practical activities and conversation starters and explanations of why those activities drive a math mindset. The book is extremely readable and full of actual examples of the author at home and school… There is also a website to explore!
Other Resources
For parents who want to know more about what their kids are doing, I also highly recommend the Coherence Map. This software will literally map where a particular standard is and what concepts come next in relation to it as well as providing resources (practice problems etc) to that particular learning target. For my friends in non official common core states, this can definitely still be helpful conceptually. (Most states are derived from the common core standards enough for this to apply).
Homework/Worksheets
NONE. Because I feel that early mathematics should focus more on understanding a few key things:
- Numbers: What they are, what it means to add and subtract. And the idea that fractions are actual ‘things’. Eg if you have a pizza with 8 slices and take away 2 you still have 6/8 of a pizza… each piece is still 1/8 of the original etc.
- Conversation: How to talk about numbers and math — using fingers etc is completely ok and questions should be encouraged.
- Problem solving: A famous mathematician George Polya had four problem solving steps:
a) UNDERSTANDING THE PROBLEM. First. You have to understand the problem. What is the unknown? …
b) DEVISING A PLAN. Second. Find the connection between the data and the unknown. …
c) CARRYING OUT THE PLAN. Third. Carry out your plan. …
d) Looking Back. Fourth. Examine the solution obtained.
The sooner we teach students those kinds of ideas that allow them to learn from mathematical ‘wanderings’ and be able to try again with renewed knowledge, the better for all of us!
