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Math for Mommies
Rated by 3 members
"Can you help me with my math homework?" Julia, my fourth-grader, asks. I smile as I turn to read a word problem, but what initially shows the promise of being a pleasurable parenting moment quickly dissolves.
As Julia looks up at me patiently, I feel myself sliding into a full-blown panic. I am at a complete loss for words or, to be more precise, numbers, and have no idea how to begin to help her with this math problem. Perhaps I'm naive and suffering from my own personal premature brain rot, but I didn't anticipate struggling over my daughter's math homework yet.
That's the beauty of parenting, isn't it? When you least expect it...well, you know.
A savvier parent might have seen this coming, as the red flags went up last fall when, after I sweated over a long division problem, Julia fell into a fit of frustration, crying, "We don't do it that way!" Clearly my ancient math methods were gone with the proverbial wind, and as "teacher" was never a color in my parachute, I was hitting a massive learning curve.
This time, however, I am determined not to let a math meltdown happen. I remember what my father, a civil engineer, used to do when I asked for help with a problem -- he'd ask me to work on something else while he took some time with the math problem and return a little later with several sheets of pages written up with explanations. Inspired by the memory, I ask Julia to give me "a little bit of time...uh, well...a lot of time."
Out of Julia's line of vision, I Google, "math for dummies," and after scrolling through many online tutoring services I discover www.math.com, which has a special section for parents who've forgotten all the math they knew (yeah, that's me).
The web site encourages parents to work with children on their math, citing studies that indicate kids whose parents are involved perform better in math. With the help of their brief tutorial, I write up simple steps using current math techniques to get Julia started. This time she understands my explanation and is able to go on to finish that problem as well as several similar problems independently.
"What's your math homework tonight?" I ask Julia the next day, still buzzing with confidence. "We're working on reducing fractions -- I'll give you a quiz, Mommy!" she replies happily. I ham it up, pretending to be stumped by the questions, and let Julia "help" me score a 100% on my quiz, which beats a panic attack any day.
Here are some other tips for helping to support your child and their mathematics:
Do you sometimes find yourself stumped by your child's homework? How do you get through it? Click the comments link below to share ideas.
Member Comments On…
Math for Mommies
I was not a bad student in math, but I guess I suffer from the adage "use it or lose it". I have had to "refresh" my memory quite a bit with my daughter's math. My husband is a PHD chemist, and LOVED math to the point of taking advanced courses in college so I do refer to him when I am unable to get enough info from the internet to make sure my daughter is o.k. She is quite patient with me and knows I don't know everything immediately, but can find out what to do with computer assistance.
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Kind of makes you think of the TV program, Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader, doesn't it? I, too, have been known to cringe when faced with our girls' math homework challenges. Over the years, as the problems got increasingly more difficult (now Honors Geometry for both of them...), they pretty much learned that they path of least resistence was through their dad, the engineer. However, there were times when he was out of town, and my oldest daughter and I had to sift through the directions in the book together. Basically, we were(re)learning right alongside on another. My way took much longer, but it got done in the end. We all have our strengths. Now, I edit all of the papers and help study for Lit tests and the like. If God made us all alike, it would sure be a dull place...
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I get an extra textbook at the beginning of school for each of my children. If I don't, I try to find out what method is being used for a particular assignment. My son's 5th grade teacher teaches a different method each week and usually has an example at the top of the worksheet she sends home. Sometimes I ask my children to "test" me. They have to find and correct any mistakes I make.
Flashcards continue to be good drill practice for memorizing facts.
We also play card games or board games like "Sorry" that involve not only counting, but strategy too. Another good source is Scholastic Books. I have gotten games such as "Buggy Bingo" and "Pizza Fractions" which help teach without the kids realizing it while having fun.
Occasionally, we'll check with a homework buddy, someone from my child's class if we next extra information. Our public library also offers "homework help" either by phone or online.
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I am not arthmetic challenge, I am one of the minority of women whom arithmetic comes natural. As a homeschool Momma, I cheat and use the teacher book, mostly because with 4 children to teach, it is a lot less time consuming to look up the answer and give the help from that point. You would be surprised, I am guessing that if you searched enough any parent could find a teacher edition to have at home. Here's a little homeschool secret, that school districts don't want parents to know - anyone can buy curriculum from publishers, most larger metropolitan areas will have a teacher supply store and anyone can go in and make purchases. Also check into homeschool curriculum consignment stores, my friends use it all the time for fill in material.
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"Math for Mommies" is a cute title, but the reality is that it should be "Math for Mommies and Daddies". The website is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing!
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As a former 5th grade teacher, and math challanged myself, I found a great resource in a Scholastic Book called "Everything You Need To Know About Math Homework" (They also have them for other subjects) Very helpful with "up to date" methods and giving examples! Can be ordered on line through Scholastic.
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I'm so math-impaired it isn't even funny, and usually refer the math homework to my husband. Sad but true. Thanks for these ideas, however. They'll come in handy for days when the husband is out of town! :)
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Our school hands out worksheet answers and problem solving tips at the beginning of each unit. It is nice to know if we're on the right track with the newest problems. It does seem that our kids 5th, 4th and 1st grade, have harder questions sooner. Being positive about math and almost making it a game - Ooo let's figure this one out - helps math time goe smoother. I really want them to LIKE math, they will need to use it often.
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I had a very similar incident a few weeks ago with my oldest son. He's a 5th. grader. I always had a major problem with Math when I was in school so I nearly went into a panic attack when he showed me his problem. Surely they're not doing algebra in 5th. grade now?!?! After the initial bugging of my eyes went away I told him I've always had difficulties with numbers and told him maybe we could work on the problem together. Between the 2 of us, we did finally manage to get the right answer. I think it also helped him to know that sometimes, even Mom has trouble too.
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