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Awareness
Parent Help Is Available: I have lots of tricks in my bag. If you don’t know how to teach a concept, or are confused in how to help your child, drop me an email and I’ll try to set up a “drop-in session” for you after school or at lunch. If possible, let me know the specific page and problem(s) so that I can be better prepared when you arrive, although this is not always possible. Please understand that I don’t always have the answer, but can help strategize with you.ABOUT MATH HOMEWORK ...Because of the way that I "do" Math, math homework is not always predictable. If there is homework, it usually involves finishing up classroom assignments for that day. Sometimes, however, I spend the whole period teaching a concept, and there are either no pages assigned, or the pages need to be done completely at home. On average, there are between 10 and 20 minutes of practice per night.
Please be aware that the length of my teaching sessions (lecture & practice) go for as long as needed each day. We may find there is more -- or less time to do assigned pages in class, meaning more --or less work at home.
HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED IN MATH
When your child doesn't understand a concept:
NEVER make your child feel "bad" for not knowing or understanding something. Take a deep breath and try to help them over that bump. Feeling "stupid" slows a child down ... it never speeds them up.
Daily homework:
Math homework is assigned most nights because practice is essential. I encourage parents to check over their child's work before it is turned in, providing special one-on-one instruction when needed. Children should come to class the next day, ready to tackle the next step, and prepared to pass random Pop Quizzes that usually include a problem or two from recent homework assignments.
Corrected and returned homework
Ask your child for corrected homework and Pop Quizzes. Mistakes provide a clear idea of further work and practice needs.
Be Involved!
Your child needs your active support to make the fastest and most powerful gains. A parent’s help is a precious gift that pays off in dividends as your child masters the basics, enabling him/her to be more powerful in advanced mathematical reasoning. Some parents prefer to hire a tutor or high school student to help. Whichever you decide upon, the more access your child has to immediate help and feedback, the stronger s/he will perform in the future.
If pages from the Book or Workbook are assigned, the following is a KEY:
PAGE= Simple numbers such as 3 or 234
MB= Math Book
WB= Workbook
Problems to do on a page= numbers put in (parenthesis)
Example: (3 - 5) means problems 3, 4, & 5
(3, 5, 9) means problems 3, 5, & 9.
(3 - 5, 7, 9) means problems 3,4,5,7 & 9
Conbubblations:
Every Math period starts with a timed test in basic facts. I call it “Conbubblations,” a name I made up which means “Congratulations for the Bubbles.” A child receives a sticker (bubble) for each test passed. Each test's "ultimate" goal is 72 problems in 2 minutes, although a test is considered “temporarily passed” when done in 6 minutes. We start with addition and then progress through subtraction. Students work at their own pace. I expect second graders to master their facts “sooner rather than later.”
If you want to know where your child is in Conbubblations, the chart is posted by the door. Students are encouraged to take tests home to practice. The chart is readable by “number” not name. You need to know your child’s number to read their chart. Color Key (for sticker): Blue = 2 min, Red = 3 min, Green = 4 min, Yellow = 5 or 6 minutes.
(Copy of letter sent home at first of year)
Dear Parents,
A note to let you know a little about Math.
Children are motivated and eager for new challenges, and it is this enthusiasm that has, and will continue to lead to many successes and gains throughout the coming year.
Because Math time is limited by our schedule (it is a very full, non-stop period), it is important that students advocate for themselves, requesting special help when they don’t understand something. I am usually willing to miss the first half of my lunch if the need arises, and I will be available in my classroom on Monday afternoons, between 3:00 and 3:25 for special help sessions. I can also meet most days after school if I don’t have previously scheduled meetings.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer during math period, I encourage you to let me know. It is an incredible boon to the class to have a second grown-up helping to field questions. It’s a great way to make a difference in these children’s lives. You don’t need to be an expert.... you will have the use of teacher’s guides (answer keys) and me!
Parents often ask how they can best help their child at home. I encourage you to check homework twice ... the night your child is working on it, and once again after it has been corrected. Your child doesn’t need to correct every problem that they miss, but if you can spot trouble, and encourage them to re-work some of the problems, it will save them the grief of doing poorly on later homework and tests.
I know that most of you help your children with their homework. Keep up the good work! This is the greatest gift that you can give to your child.
A note about homework: My intention is to build foundation and provide practice so that skills become “reflexive.” It is difficult to know how quickly individuals will get their homework done… so I am asking for your help. If your child has “worked math” for more than 20 minutes, it is probably time to do some "triage". Tell them that it is time to start working every-other problem, or select a few problems that seem to pose the most difficulty, so that you can work on them together. Those who ‘do more’ generally ‘do better’ by year’s end… but I will leave some of that in your hands. Generally… those who struggle need more, not less practice. It’s a difficult dilemma. My goal is not to exhaust the children OR the parents.
What to do if you decide an assignment needs to be shortened, or it’s a bad night for homework (relatives visit, or some other unusual circumstance)? Write a short note to me, don't feel guilty, and sign it. It can be as short as, “Couldn’t finish homework last night.” Or “Needed to shorten assignment.” DO make sure that you find time to help your child catch up to their peers.
Please feel free to email me at cbrewbaker@mpcsd.org if you have questions, concerns, or would like to set up a conference. I would love to meet with you.
