Partnering With Parents in Elementary School Math

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® 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® 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

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