Family and Community

Supports Workshop

Family and Community Support

Scenario #1
Concerned Parent: My child doesn’t
know his number facts. This school
needs to get back to the basics and
teach REAL math!

Principal: …
Family and Community Support
Individually …

Make a list of the ‘math myths’ that

might be commonly held by the
community.

Family and Community Support

In Pairs …
• Participant 1: Parent
State a math myth from your list.

• Participant 2: Principal
Dispel the misconception in the
myth.
Family and Community Support
Why Has Mathematics
Instruction Changed?

Myths and Facts

Family and Community Support

 Myth Fact
• Some people just • Every adult and
can’t do math. every child can do
mathematics.

Family and Community Support

 Myth Fact
• Literacy is • Literacy is far
reading and broader, including
writing. an understanding
of graphs, tables,
statistics,
probability...

Family and Community Support

 Myth Fact
• Students learn • Students learn
math best through math best when
teacher-directed they are active
lessons. participants in the
learning process.

Family and Community Support

 Myth Fact
• The use of • When used
calculators will appropriately,
have a negative calculators
impact on improve
students’ computation skills.
computation skills.

Family and Community Support

 Myth Fact
• Manipulatives are • Manipulatives
for young help connect
children. abstract thought
to something
tangible ---
for learners of
ALL ages.
Family and Community Support
Scenario #2

Parent: How can I help my child with

math? It is so different from when I
went to school.

Family and Community Support

In Table Groups …

Brainstorm a list of suggestions for

helping parents support their
children during homework time.

Family and Community Support

 Yes, I Can
Help My Child

I really can!
Family and Community Support
Changes
• Textbooks and learning
materials
• Types of questions posed
• Types of responses needed
• Assessment and grading
• Uses of class time
Family and Community Support
Yes, I can …

Talk about math in positive ways

I’m sure you I could never do
will understand the math either.
if you… Don’t worry
Let’s figure it about the math.
out together.

Family and Community Support

Yes, I can …
Support my child through
homework challenges by listening
and asking questions

Family and Community Support

Yes, I can …
• Allow my child to struggle
through the process of
problem solving.

• Discuss mistakes as
learning opportunities.
Family and Community Support
Questions to Ask …
• What do you need to find out?
• Tell me what you know?
• Show me what you started?
• What can you try first?
• Can you make a drawing or picture?
• Will a list or table help?
Family and Community Support
Prompts …
• Ask your child to show you how he/she is
finding the answer.
• Share your method.
• Explain to each other why your different
methods are successful.

Providing shortcuts for getting the answer

might hinder deeper student understanding.

Family and Community Support

Internet Sites …
• www.nctm.org/families
• www.mathforum.org/parents/citizens.html (Dr. Math)
• www.amathdictionaryforkids.com
• http://www.peel.edu.on.ca/parents/tips/math.htm
• www.ilc.org/cfmx/AAT (ask a teacher)
• www.mathadventures.com
• www.purplemath.com (lessons and tutorials)
• www.mathonline.com
Family and Community Support
Scenario #3

Parent Council Chair: My council

has asked that you allocate more
funds for math materials that have a
heavy emphasis on drill.

Family and Community Support

In Pairs …
• Work together to develop a convincing
argument that spending money on
manipulatives and technology is wise.

• Be prepared to share your argument

with the group.
Family and Community Support
 Manipulatives and
Technologies

Their Role in Teaching and

Learning Mathematics

Family and Community Support

Research …

“Manipulatives support the

conceptual development of
important mathematical ideas for
tactile and visual learners.”

Family and Community Support

Research …

• Students learn in the presence of

technology.
• Technology should influence the
mathematics content taught and
how it is taught.

Family and Community Support

Vision …
• Engagement
• Confidence
• Skill development
• Motivation
• Relevance
Family and Community Support
Geoboard

How many different-sized squares can

be made on an 11x11 geoboard?
Family and Community Support
Scenario #4
As the Math Lead/Dept. Head you have
been asked to organize:

• Grade 8 Information Night

• Curriculum Night for Parents
• Meet the Teacher Night
• Parent Interview Night
Family and Community Support
In Table Groups …

Make a list of helpful resources that

you would develop or find to
address parent questions at these
events.

Family and Community Support

Whole Group …

In what other ways might you use

the print materials?

Family and Community Support