The purpose of these books is to jog your memory and help you recover some of those long-neglected math skills you need to help your child with homework. For many of us, math is like a dimly remembered foreign language. We have forgotten the vocabulary and our skills are rusty from disuse. There is that vague, unsettling feeling of “I think I used to know how to do this, but I can’t seem to recall it at the moment. If only I could see an example, I might remember.” That is where these books come in.
So, when your child asks you for help with math homework, how do you use these books to help? You do not need to read the books from cover to cover for them to be of help. Instead, use them as a resource:
- Look over the homework. Often a worksheet has a title that indicates in a general way what is going on: adding fractions, solving proportions, finding a percent of a number, or solving an algebraic equation. You can use the index or the table of contents in the appropriate book to find the module with examples and worked problems that fit that topic. If there is no title that fits, leaf though the appropriate book looking for something that resembles the work on the worksheet.
- Once you have turned to the most promising page for your topic, look for an example that asks the same type of question you are trying to answer. Work through the example with the stepped-out solution. Then follow those same steps to solve the homework problem. If you are not confident that you understand how to apply the steps, reassure yourself by trying an exercise from Now, Let’s Practice at the end of the module.
- Be sure to ask your child to explain things to you whenever possible. Giving your child the opportunity to teach you helps him or her think through the process and gain mastery of the skill at a higher level.
- If you would like an extra activity to do with your child, try the one at the end of the module you are using.
Tips for Parents: Staying Sharp Over the Summer
- Make a commitment to do some math every week. Celebrate that you are taking action to make the next school the most successful year ever.
- Keep the Big Goal in mind when working on the Immediate Goal. The Big Goal: A good relationship with your student, where communication is open, honest, and supportive. The Immediate Goal: Your student becoming more successful at math.
- Be on the same team. Set goals together. This can minimize power struggles. Tips for setting and meeting goals:
- Set the ultimate goal together. For example: Review two modules each week.
- Be sure your student feels that the goal is reasonable and doable.
- Agree on a weekly time schedule-when and how the goal will be met.
- Keep track of the progress and celebrate the victories. Do a special activity together or give a special privilege-for example, a family dinner at a favorite restaurant or, extra money to take a friend to a movie and get a snack.
- Be realistic-remember it is summer and everyone needs a break.
- Keep it positive. Learning requires a receptive mind. Emphasize how great it will be to be ahead of the game next fall. If there is fear or anxiety, the learning won’t stick. Threats don’t work in the long run.
- Be involved with your student in the learning. Work with your student. A parent’s example is the most powerful example there is for children. Ask your student to use one of the examples and “teach it back” to you.
- If your student gets discouraged, take time to listen to what he or she has to say. Often just being able to talk goes a long way toward taking care of problems. The first things mentioned are never the most important. Just listen for a while. Rephrase what the student says to be sure you understand what you heard. Simple, short comments to let the student know you are listening often are helpful. For example: “Oh, I didn’t you know felt that way.” “I see. Is there anything else you are upset or worried about?”