Assisting Your Child
How can I help my child?
The authors of Everyday Mathematics believe it is very important to help parents become actively involved in their child's mathematical education, and they have worked hard to provide opportunities for this to happen. Here are just a few suggestions for how you can learn about the mathematics your child is studying in school, and how you can help reinforce their math learning at home.
- A Home Link or Study Link homework assignment is included with almost every lesson in the program. Periodically these homework assignments include a letter to parents explaining various aspects of the program. Be sure to read these letters and discuss what's going on in math class with your child. Whenever possible work with your child on their Home and Study Links. If there is something unfamiliar to you in these assignments encourage your child to "teach" you about what they are working on in class. If an assignment is confusing or difficult for you or your child, jot a note explaining your difficulties on the Home or Study Link paper and return it to your child's teacher.
- Encourage your child to teach you the math games he or she is learning in school, and play these games whenever you have an opportunity. You might even enjoy inventing some of your own math games together! McGraw-Hill Education offers Family Games Kits for purchase. You can find out about them at McGraw-Hill Education's site.
- If your child needs additional basic fact practice ask his teacher to send home a set of fact triangles and spend a little time each day practicing fact families.
- Many Everyday Mathematics teachers set aside special days for math activities like Explorations, Games Days, and Projects. If possible, volunteer to help in the classroom on these days.
- Whenever you find yourself using math in your daily lives point out this fact and discuss math's usefulness in real-life situations. Encourage your child to experiment with and use everyday "math tools" like rulers, tape measures, measuring cups and spoons, clocks, and calculators.
