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The start of a new school year means a lot of changes for your child: new teachers, new information and maybe even a new school. He could be jumping from adding and subtracting to multiplication, algebra or geometry, and have no idea what to expect. You can equip your child with the right tools and, more importantly, the right attitude to get the year started right. “Success in mathematics is dependent on a lot of things,” says Cathy L. Seeley, president-elect at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and senior advisor for the Online Mathematics Initiative at the University of Texas at Austin. “People expect it to be dependent on experience, but it’s more than that. It’s students coming in with a positive attitude about mathematics and being willing to try problems that may not seem easy to solve.” A lot of that positive attitude begins at home, Seeley says. “Parents can help a lot just by shifting away from phrases like, ‘don’t ask me,’ and, ‘I hated math when I was younger,’ to phrases like, ‘I’m not sure how to do this problem either, but I bet if we sit down and try it, we can figure it out.’” Talking about math with your child, pointing out shapes and patterns that occur naturally, and sorting and classifying items will help your child get more comfortable with math. “It could be something as simple as setting the table,” Seeley remarks. “For each plate, you need one fork, one spoon and one knife. Things like this are a great precursor for a student’s development of sense of numbers and operations.” For physical math tools, “most schools put out lists of what tools are required for different grade levels,” Seeley says. She emphasizes the importance for elementary school students to have an understanding of measuring tools and four-function calculators. Once students progress to middle school, a calculator with statistics capabilities is a good step up. This type of calculator includes functions such as data collection, analysis and plotting and conversions. When a compass is needed, look for plastic instruments before you buy one with a sharp metal point. Some can be used as rulers or protractors as well. Once your child starts high school, a graphing calculator is essential, Seeley says. “It’s a great visualizing tool, and it helps students understand relationships between graphs, equations and numerals.” There are plenty of books you can pick up to get your child excited about math. “The Grapes of Math: Mind Stretching Math Riddles” by Greg Tang deals with patterns and counting in rhymes and colorful illustrations and is great for elementary students. “Mental Math: Computation Activities for Anytime,” by Richard S. Piccirilli” and the “Math Magic” series by Scott Flansburg are both aimed toward making math fun and fast. The “Family Math” series from the Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, are books for students of all ages and include math-focused activities and games. For your high school student, “100 Math Tips for the SAT & How to Master Them Now!” by Charles Gulotta is a great way to prep for the SAT and learn how to approach math in new ways. A great online source for your middle schooler is www.figurethis.org, with math challenges for middle schoolers and families to do together. Whether you use a formal means of getting your child thinking about math via books or websites, or whether you simply point it out when it occurs, your positive attitude about math will rub off. That, plus equipping him with the appropriate tools—watch for those school supply lists—is just what your child needs to not just survive, but succeed, in math this year. By Colleen Hansen |
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