An open letter to parents about math

If you've been paying attention to what your child is doing in math class, you know that this is nothing like what you remember about sixth grade math.

Oh, maybe you remember it, but you remember a lot of what we're doing now from your early high school years.  Or maybe you can't remember ever doing the type of work your sixth grader is doing.

Times have changed, and math instruction has changed along with it.  In Moore, our math objectives are set at the district level -- our curriculum, our objectives, even our daily plan for what to teach.  Teachers don't have a lot of discretion to slow things down or to spend extra time on areas the kids are having trouble with.

So even more, that means parents have to take an active interest so their kids don't fall behind.  You know that some kids have a natural aptitude for math -- they enjoy math, it seems logical to them, and they'll do well no matter what we study or how fast we go.  If your child is like that, just hang on and enjoy the ride.  But if your child has some trouble with math (even if he or she is doing great in other subjects), that means you need to be pro-active when it comes to math.

What can you do if your child struggles with math?

1. Don't hesitate to talk with me.  I'll be glad to talk with you and share my perceptions of what your student is doing.
2. Follow this blog.  Every day, I'll tell you what we did and what the assignment is. If a student neglects his or her math work for even a few days, we move so fast that it can be hard to catch up.  Every math lesson is built on the lessons before.  Students who don't keep up even for a short time can really fall behind.
3. Talk with your student about math.  If we are discussing probability, say, in class, have him or her explain it to you.  Just talking about it can help a child learn.
4. Be sure your child is doing his or her work.  If you need to, ask to see math homework every night.
5. If your child is deficient in some basic skills (some are still having troubles with basic multiplication facts, which they need to know thoroughly for success at this level), work with your student on those skills.
6. There are many websites and computer games that teach math skills.  Just Google "sixth grade math" and you'll come up with lots of ideas.

The most important thing is for you to be involved.  Ask questions, look at returned tests, check homework.  It's much harder to "fly under the radar" if a parent asks a lot of questions.

Good luck!  And let me know if I can help.

Susan Jacobs