You might be reading my blog and thinking
that’s great that I need to address the gaps – but how exactly? And how do I
know that my child has gaps?
In this post I will provide you with
practical strategies to help your child at home, as well as some resources to
supplement these strategies. If you feel you need me to address something even more
specific, send me an email and I will do so!
1.
Speak with the teacher
For Primary and Junior grades especially, an
on-going communication with your child’s math teacher is very important. You
will need to reach out and let the teacher know that you plan on being
involved. At this point it would be helpful if you know what you are trying to
achieve. I would suggest asking the teacher to let you know when a new unit is
about to begin, and which one. Ask them to let you know right away if they
notice that your child is falling behind on any concept, so that you can
address that gap right away at home – do NOT wait until the test to find out (by
that time the class would have moved onto another topic and most likely with
other time pressures of other topics, you won’t address the gap adequately
enough).
And you need to address it in a timely
manner – because this unit will come back in the next grade for sure but in
harder capacity, or in another unit if related.
Likewise, if you notice that your child is
struggling with a concept but are unsure how to help them, let the teacher know
and ask them to help them out/point them in the right direction.
For Junior, Intermediate, & Senior
Divisions, ask your child to let you know when they are struggling – by
that time they will be able to identify this. This will give you an opportunity
to help your child right away. You will need to remind your child to speak to
their teacher as required as well.
2.
Know the curriculum
Do you know what is expected in each unit, at
the grade level your child is at? Know what is in the curriculum and how it is being taught. Visit your
provincial government website and dig in to review the curriculum.
Please take a look at the Links and Resources post I provided, for several helpful links. If you find a helpful link, please
let me know and I will add it there!
3.
Supplemental workbooks and
Math Books
This option might be a little less daunting
for some than the curriculum links above, and it is a great supplement for
classroom teachings.
Consider getting a supplemental workbook
resources (Canadian versions) and follow what they review in each unit. It is a
great way to understand what is being taught in each unit and allows you to
‘learn’ with your child on what they are being taught at school. Many of these
workbooks also walk through and ‘teach’ concepts with the student before doing
the exercises. This will give you an idea not only what is being taught but how.
Ø Primary Division (K-Grade
3)
- Working through workbooks is most likely sufficient at this stage.
- You may want to consider online resources as well (like math games) to supplement the student’s learning as well as to keep it fun and engaging.
- Please take a look at my Links and Resources post for several useful workbooks and online resources.
- Library: I have seen many of the suggested workbooks in the local library as well. You can check these out and have your child complete the exercises on a separate piece of paper.
Ø Junior Division (Grade
4-6)
- Same points as in the primary division above plus
- Find out what math textbook(s) are used. Speak to your child’s teacher and ask that your child brings a book home either on the weekends or whenever they have a knowledge gap to address.
- When a book makes it home, review how the concepts are being taught in the text book – although the concept is the same, it may be taught differently from the time you were in school. And it is important to support and supplement school teachings in the same manner (I have more to say on this topic in future posts).
- If you can, I would suggest purchasing the school textbook for home use. Amazon.ca is a great place to find a used text book – just make sure you get the right version – ensure the ISBN number on the book you order matches the one used in the classroom.
Ø Intermediate and Senior
Divisions
- Ensure your child brings home their textbook and that they communicate with you and ask you for help whenever there is something they do not understand at school – and help them with it.
- Check out the Links and Resources section of this blog for online resources.
A
note about formal tutoring
There might be times when formal tutoring
is required. This could be because you are not strong in math, especially in older
grades, or that your child reacts better to someone else teaching them. In
these cases, a formal tutoring is warranted. Just make sure the tutor
themselves is well versed in today’s curriculum and they can communicate
effectively with your child so the time is well spent.
A
note about Singapore Math
If you feel comfortable with mathematics, I
would strongly encourage you to look into Singapore math.
In the primary years, it very gracefully introduces 'number sense' mathematical topics such as addition especially with re-grouping (carry-over and borrowing) including the concept of converting 1 ten into 10 ones as required etc. It is easy to
grasp and I personally believe a very good complement to the curriculum. It
will make their understanding deeper and open their minds to the fact that there
are more than one way of doing the same thing, and getting the same result. A
concept that is well worth having early on in math to encourage thinking
outside the box.
In junior years it very clearly teaches
mental math strategies and problem solving strategies. Both concepts which I
found not very clearly defined in the curriculum today. They are sprinkled all
over the current curriculum with not enough time committed to them to fully master
the concept. So practicing it at home is
well worth it.
I have not explored the Intermediate and
Senior level Singapore math books but as soon as I will I will let you know
what I think!
4. Practice
It is important to practice. Why not get
into a routine early in their school years to do homework or practice. It is
much easier to establish that routine in primary and junior grades and then
maintain in seniors years and reap the academic benefits that come along with
it!
You pick which activity makes most sense
for your situation and when – the suggestions below are meant to provide you
with some ideas and are not an exhaustive list. These activities do not need to
be long. Keep in mind that some school boards adapt a policy of 10 minutes per
grade (elementary). Doing 1 page in the workbook may not seem like a lot and it
will add up over time to bring in great results.
Don’t forget to keep it fun and engaging
for students, perhaps mixing it up with online activities and real-life
applications will keep them more interested (check out University of Waterloo
link I provided in the Links and Resources post for real life example and engaging
games!)
Some ideas are:
- Complete any homework that came from school and address any gaps. This includes all homework, of course, not just math.
- If math gaps exist, work with your child on addressing these gaps, either through you tutoring them and/or having them practice in their workbook.
- If no homework and no math gaps exist, why not review the next concept in the unit, to allow your child a head start.
- In Primary and Junior years, why not practice math facts as well as multiplication tables? Btw, that is a great summer activity (more to come on things to do in the summer).
- Reinforce existing knowledge through an online activity.
- Have fun doing these! Take it easy and enjoy what you are learning with your child. If they are having a particular hard time with a topic, take a break and pick up again next time or switch to an activity your child learns better from (maybe online). Do not make these activities a negative experience.
- Acknowledge your child’s efforts – not all children will be at the same level, but they should all feel confident in doing math.
Happy Learning!
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