Welcome to ACRMS Parent Information Forum

1. Welcome to ACRMS Parent Information Forum December 1, 2011

2. How can I foster my child’s success in mathematics?

3. Math success for my child • What can I do to help my child with math homework? • What can I do when my child does not understand his/her math work? • What can I do to help my child succeed in math class?

4. Two important goals for ALL students: Two important goals for ALL students: • They learn to value mathematics. • They become confident in their ability to do mathematics.

5. General Homework Tips • Provide a study place. • Provide materials. (pencils, etc.) • Be consistent with time. • Check agendas. • Help with organization skills. • Use a study buddy.

6. #1 Be positive! If you have a negative attitude about mathematics, chances are your child will, too.

7. Acknowledge that mathematics can be challenging at times and persistence and hard work are thekeys to success. Persistence and hard work!!

8. “perseverance” Struggling at times in mathematics is normal and is actually necessary to understanding mathematics.

9. The Pearl Problem On a string of pearls, the largest is in the center and the smallest are on the ends. Each of the small pearls on the two ends costs $1 each; each of the next larger pearls costs $2 each; the third from the end costs $3 each; and so on. On the basis of this plan, how much would a string of 9 pearls cost? 12? 25? N?

10. #2 Help your child realize that mathematics is a significant part of everyday life. • deciding whether one has enough money to purchase a list of items at the store • reading a map • building a budget • deciding on the shortest route to a destination • determining the price of an item on sale

11. # 3 Learn about math related careers Research different careers with your child. Help your child understand that the school courses he/she takes now and the grades he/she earns will affect his/her future.

12. #4 Make mathematics fun! Play board games, solve puzzles, and ponder brain teasers with your child.

13. #5 Have High Expectations

14. #6 Respect the Way your Child Learns

15. More specifically… Homework can be frustrating for both parents and students. Patience is the key and can go a long way in helping your child with his/her work.

16. Student Survey #1

17. Student survey #2

18. Student survey #3

19. Student survey #4 What can your parents do to help you with your math homework? • Check my work • Provide me a quiet place to work • Make sure my siblings leave me alone • Don’t bother me • Don’t get mad at me or yell at me • Give me hints • Tell me to put it in my binder • Give me a snack • In a nice quiet voice ask, “Would you like some help?”

20. Suggestions for homework help: One goal for parents is to assist their children in figuring out as much as they can for themselves. Ask questions that guide, without telling them what to do. Ask questions that can not be answered with a “yes” or “no.” Use some of these questions and refer to the notebook that students create and use in class.

21. Sample Questions to get started… • What do you need to know? • How can you get the information? • What terms do you understand or not understand? • Have you solved similar problems that would help? Let’s look at your notebook.

22. Questions while working… • Can you make a drawing (model) to explain your thinking? • What do you need to do next? • Do you see any patterns that will help you solve the problem? • How do you know your solution is reasonable? • Are there any questions you want to ask your teacher?

24. http://www.phschool.com/cmp2/parent_guide/

25. Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces is a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a course.  http://www.aleks.com/

26. http://www.aleks.com/video/parent_tour For the first time in her life, my daughter LOVES math. She finished her first ALEKS course in three or four days! I have asked her repeatedly why she loves ALEKS so much, and the answer is that there is no real wrong answer. While she may get an answer wrong, there is always an opportunity to learn how to do it; there is no punishment or penalty, only learning. She likes that as she goes through the program, it fills up her pie chart; she finds it very satisfying. My daughter also likes that ALEKS is able to determine why she missed the problem and provides appropriate feedback, for example, if the decimal is in the wrong place it will tell her. The best part, though, is that my daughter is finally going to start school feeling prepared for math. She has always been an A or B student in math, but never believed that she was "good" at it; now she believes that she is! Amy Mayer, Parent

27. Helpful math websites • ACRMS: http://www.buncombe.k12.nc.us/ACRMS • That Quiz: www.thatquiz.org • Web math: www.webmath.com • Math World: www.math.com • Connected Math Project: http://connectedmath.msu.edu/parents/tips.shtml • Connected Math glossary terms: http://connectedmath.msu.edu/parents/glossary.shtml • Multiplication review: multiplication.com

28. The essence of mathematics is not to make simple things complicated, but to make complicated things simple. - S. Gruder

29. Presenters: • Cindy Dearman – B.S.Ed. MAT, National Board Certified • Randal Hylemon – B.S. in Math, National Board Certified • Heather Rejzer – B.S.Ed., National Board Certified • Chris Thompson – B.S. in Political Science • Vicky Williams – B.S.Ed., National Board Certified