Teachers Network
Translate Translate English to Chinese Translate English to French
  Translate English to German Translate English to Italian Translate English to Japan
  Translate English to Korean Russian Translate English to Spanish
Lesson Plan Search
Our Lesson Plans
TeachNet Curriculum Units
Classroom Specials
Popular Teacher Designed Activities
TeachNet NYC Directory of Lesson Plans TeachNet NYC Dirctory of Lesson Plans

VIDEOS FOR TEACHERS
RESOURCES
Teachers Network Leadership Institute
How-To Articles
Videos About Teaching
Effective Teachers Website
Lesson Plans
TeachNet Curriculum Units
Classroom Specials
Teacher Research
For NYC Teachers
For New Teachers
HOW-TO ARTICLES
TEACHER RESEARCH
LINKS

GRANT WINNERS
TeachNet Grant:
Lesson Plans
2010
TeachNet Grant Winners
2009
TeachNet Grant Winners
Adaptor Grant Winners
2008
TeachNet Grant Winners
Adaptor Grant Winners
2007
TeachNet Grant Winners
Adaptor Grant Winners
Other Grant Winners
Power-to-Learn
Math and Science Learning
Ready-Set-Tech
Impact II
Grant Resources
Grant How-To's
Free Resources for Teachers
ABOUT
Our Mission
Funders
   Pacesetters
   Benefactors
   Donors
   Sponsors
   Contributors
   Friends
Press
   Articles
   Press Releases
Awards
   Cine
   Silver Reel
   2002 Educational Publishers Award

Sitemap

NYC Helpline: How To: Teach Math
Helpful Tips for Your Students’ Parents
Sarah Picard

Oftentimes parents want to help their children with math homework, but aren’t quite sure how to provide support. This is made especially difficult since the way in which math is taught in many of today’s curriculums is different from the curriculum used when the parents were in elementary school. When parents ask how they can support their children’s mathematical thinking, you can give them the following tips.

Nurture their awareness of math in the world

  • Point out ways math is used in their life (paying for groceries, measuring, counting, categorizing, telling time)

Provide your child with some tools at home

Support their independent problem solving

  • When faced with a mathematical word problem for homework, encourage your child to read the problem a few times so they understand what the problem is really about. Sometimes the hardest part of solving these problems is understanding the problem itself. Get your child to read and reread the problem. Visualize the problem and get the child to restate it in their own words.
  • Ask the child to think about the best way to solve the problem. Validate their first choice and support their independence by providing manipulatives or tools (see list above).
  • Ask them about their process while they are solving the problem and give them the time to make a mistake. Wait before you jump in to correct the child. If you jump in too soon, the child may not get the chance to notice his or her mistake and correct it.
  • When the child finishes solving the problem in one way, you could talk about other ways to solve the problem and use the tools to demonstrate how that other way works.

In late first grade and in second grade, practice one digit math facts (addition and subtraction) at home. Concentrate on strategies to learn the facts rather than memorization. Here are some strategies:

Combinations of ten.
4+6, 5+5, 7+3, 8+2, 9+1

Combinations of 10 Plus 1
4+7, 5+6, 7+4, 8+3, 9+2

Combinations of 10 Minus 1
3+6, 4+5, 5+4, 7+2, 8+1

Doubles
2+2, 3+3, 4+4, etc.

Doubles Plus 1
? 2+3, 3+4, 4+5, etc.

Doubles Minus 1
2+1, 3+2, 4+3, etc.

Parental support is an important part of a child’s success in school. Whenever we sit beside a child and take interest in their work, we are supporting their mathematical thinking. Hopefully these tips will help parents become active participants in their child’s mathematical thinking development.

Do you have suggestions or questions about this article? Send me an e-mail.

 

Come across an outdated link?
Please visit The Wayback Machine to find what you are looking for.

 

Journey Back to the Great Before