This year at Jefferson Elementary, we are piloting a new math curriculum called "Big Ideas Math"!. It is a set of concepts, lessons, exercises and assessments created by award winning educators and National Geographic. Although it is our main "text book", we will be supplementing from time to time with Math Race worksheets, classroom activities, and online math games to keep it interesting and alive.
For those of you who struggle with helping your children learning math here are a few answers and resources that may help:
It doesn't make sense to me. Why teach math this way?
The way most of us learned math was through memorization and repetition. And if you can remember... most of us hated (and many still do hate) math. It was treacherous and boring. Educators and mathematicians have realized that MATH isn't boring, the way we used to teach math made it that way. The new model in math education - whether you are using Bridges, California Math, or Big Ideas - is much more interactive and really supports the learners' UNDERSTANDING of math, numbers, and logic. Yes, there are times when it won't make sense to you. And those are frustrating times. If there is ever something your child can't get through on their own, and you don't feel like you can help, send them to class the next day with a note explaining that. I promise, I will understand :)
What can I do to help my son/daughter when they are stuck?
There are a number of resources online that may help you be able to explain, or talk though the concepts better with your child.
Ask for help! - Ask your child to explain what they know, or come ask me (or Mrs. Sannan). We are here to help :)
For those of you who struggle with helping your children learning math here are a few answers and resources that may help:
It doesn't make sense to me. Why teach math this way?
The way most of us learned math was through memorization and repetition. And if you can remember... most of us hated (and many still do hate) math. It was treacherous and boring. Educators and mathematicians have realized that MATH isn't boring, the way we used to teach math made it that way. The new model in math education - whether you are using Bridges, California Math, or Big Ideas - is much more interactive and really supports the learners' UNDERSTANDING of math, numbers, and logic. Yes, there are times when it won't make sense to you. And those are frustrating times. If there is ever something your child can't get through on their own, and you don't feel like you can help, send them to class the next day with a note explaining that. I promise, I will understand :)
What can I do to help my son/daughter when they are stuck?
There are a number of resources online that may help you be able to explain, or talk though the concepts better with your child.
Ask for help! - Ask your child to explain what they know, or come ask me (or Mrs. Sannan). We are here to help :)