Mathematics for the 21st Century Paw Creek Elementary Amy LeHew, Elementary Math Specialist

Let’s Start with some MATH! Solve 321-193

Over 1 in 5 US Adults Are Innumerate 21% of Americans possess numeracy skills at the lowest level . . . [which] means that people cannot . . . work out the change from $2 when buying goods worth $1.58. (Murray, 2000. p. 2) www.lausd.net/District_8/math/secmath/0607/math_anx_ncsm.ppt 

Last week, I was at a restaurant with friends “I’m not good at math, have Amy figure it out.”

“I’m not good reading, can you read this to me?” Next time we go… “I’m not good reading, can you read this to me?”

Why is it socially acceptable to be innumerate? Same Reaction? Illiteracy Innumeracy Why is it socially acceptable to be innumerate?

MIS-Understanding mathematics

After we read to/with a child, we ask… What do you think? Do you agree with the character/why? What would you do? When a child solves a math problem, we ask… Did you get the right answer?

What does comprehension (numeracy) look like in math? Choose the best estimate for 12/13 7/8 1 2 19 21

Choose the best estimate for 12/13 7/8 12/13 7/8 1 2 19 21 According to NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) MOST 4th grade students in the U.S chose… What does that mean?

Students with involved parents, no matter what their income or background, are more likely to: Earn higher grades and test scores, and enroll in higher-level programs; Be promoted, pass their classes, and earn credits; Attend school regularly; Have better social skills, show improved behavior, and adapt well to school; and Graduate and go on to post secondary education. Research Shows… According to A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement, a research review published by the Southwest Educational Development Laboratory in 2002, students with involved parents, no matter what their income or background, are more likely to:

Innumeracy/Illiteracy Family and community involvement can have a powerful and positive impact on student outcomes. Innumeracy/Illiteracy

Close to 100 Draw 4 cards Write the 4 digits you drew on the recording sheet. Add your total. Your score is how far you are from 100

Choose 4 cards and create two 2-digit numbers Draw 6 cards Choose 4 cards and create two 2-digit numbers Close to 100 / 1000

Close to 10 Close to 1,000 Close to 100 / 1000

What happens when we ask a child to explain their thinking in math? Talk about the math! What happens when we ask a child to explain their thinking in math? … how did you decide to? … is there another way? … tell me about your strategy

7 Steps to 100 Tens Ones Goal = 100 6 4 6 3

What were you talking about? Talk about the math! What were you talking about? … how did you decide to? … is there another way? … tell me about your strategy

How can I help my child?

The Parent’s Role Parents, too, need time to learn about the new ways of teaching and learning. We have had to learn new ways to support our kids at home. Much of the homework looks different: games, writing assignments, shorter assessments, less emphasis on memorization of facts, etc. It is all part of an effective and well-rounded program, but it is challenging nonetheless.

How Can I Best Help My Child ? Remember the restaurant! The first is as simple as speaking positively about math to your child. The the old ways of teaching have left many of us insecure about our math skills, it is easy to unintentionally convey low expectations to our children.

Questions to help your child with homework. Where do you think you should begin? What do you already know that might help? Can you draw a picture or make a table to work it out? Let’s talk through some steps, and see if we can’t “talk it out.”