Helping Parents Understand How Students Are Learning Math

Math instruction today is different from what most of today's parents experienced in the past.  In order to provide parents with information on current instructional approaches and strategies, Paine Intermediate has begun offering Math Academy for Parents once a month. Parents have two sessions to choose from:  a morning session from 9:00-10:00 a.m. and an evening session from 5:00-6:00 p.m.  Sessions will focus on what students are currently learning in their classrooms.  The first half-hour of the session will include overall information, and they will break into groups by grade level for the second half-hour.

The first Parent Math Academy was held on December 11.  The general group session focused on the importance of the area model in developing conceptual understanding.  The breakout segments were:
·        3rd grade - Multiplication Fact Fluency
·        4th Grade - Long Division
·        5th Grade - Multiplying Fractions.

The school has also created a Math Blog for Parents.  paineintmath.blogspot.com.  It includes instructional videos by grade level.  Throughout the year, math teachers will be creating and adding short video segments on various strategies being taught in the classroom.  These videos can be utilized by both parents and students.

The goal of  Parent Math Blog and Parent Math Academy is to provide parents with important information and a better understanding of the concepts and strategies being taught in the math classroom today.  Questions may be emailed to Lisa.Lothspeich@trussvillecityschools.com, Math Instructional Coach.