Praise Pages About the Authors Acknowledgements Introduction Why This Book Now? Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Coronavirus Epidemic Examining Your Core Beliefs What Role Have You Played? What is a Parents Role in Their Child's Mathematics Learning? How to Use This Book The Goal and Structure of This Book APPLY IT! Stepping Into Parents' Shoes Asking Parents About School Communication What Parents Do and Why What Can We Learn? Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Understanding What Parents Need to Know About Today's Math What Parents Really Need to Know About Today's Math Math Instruction Evolves...Just Like Everything Else Mathematics is Not a Gene We Prepare Students for the Future, Not Today What Parents Really Need to Know About Their Child's Math Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Planning Effective School-wide Mathematics Communication The Systemic Problem The Determining Roles of All Stakeholders Clarifying Roles of Leaders, Teachers, and Other Educators Clarifying Roles of Parents Crafting and Communicating Consistent School-wide Policies Establishing Homework Policies Communicating Grading Policies Getting Buy-In and Commitment from All Stakeholders Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Exploring How to Communicate with Parents About Math What Makes Written Communication With Parents Effective? Write So They Can Read It Write So They Want to Read It Relate to What Parents Know Communicate Frequently Tools For Communication and When to Use Them Traditional Communication Digital Communication Putting it All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Exploring What to Communicate to Parents About Math Reaching Parents-at-large Schoolwide Beginning of Year Letter Homework Communication from School Level to Parents Mid-Year Homework Survey Reaching Parents-as-a-class Beginning of Year Survey Beginning of Year Letter from the Teacher Unit Preview Letters Weekly Letters Mid-Year and End-of-Year Surveys from Teacher Reaching Parents-as-individuals Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Hosting Parent Events Parent Experiences Non-Math Specific Events Back to School Nights Parent-Teacher Conferences Math-Specific Events Family Math Nights Parent Math Nights Family Math Days and Mornings Parent Book Clubs Mystery Mathematicians Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Conclusion: Shifting the Narrative Our Top 8 Ways to Support Parents in Mathematics References Index
Written for teachers and school leaders, this book provides guidance on how to effectively communicate with families about their children's math education.
Dr. Hilary Kreisberg is the Director of the Center for Mathematics Achievement at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education, President of the Boston Area Mathematics Specialists organization, and co-author of the book Adding Parents to the Equation: Understanding Your Child's Elementary School Math. She also is a Global Math Project Ambassador, reviewer for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Mathematics Teacher journal, and a curriculum and product developer. She began her career as an elementary teacher and later became a K-5 Math Coach to be able to support other teachers in their understanding and teaching of mathematics. Hilary has been featured on NPR Boston (WBUR) Radio, CBS Boston (WBZ) news, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Education Weekly, Boston Magazine, and the Lowell Sun. She is a frequent national, regional, and local speaker and has won over $2 million dollars in federal and private funding for mathematics education research. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, a Master's degree in Teaching, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Development. She is a Certified U.S. Math Recovery (R) Intervention Specialist and is also endorsed to teach Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) learners and holds both Special Education and Mathematics licensure. For fun, Hilary likes to do Zumba (R) and play Chess. Twitter: @Dr_Kreisberg Website: www.lesley.edu/center/math-achievement Dr. Matthew L. Beyranevand is the K-12 Mathematics Department Coordinator for the Chelmsford Public Schools in Massachusetts. Matthew is an ambassador for the Global Math Project, consults on the creation of mathematics curriculum, and a member of the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council. He also serves as an adjunct professor of mathematics and education at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and Fitchburg State University. He is the author of the book Teach Math Like This, Not Like That, co-author of the book Adding Parents to the Equation: Understanding Your Child's Elementary School Math, and his website is www.mathwithmatthew.com. Twitter: @MathwithMatthew