-
Letter to Families
This letter will include activities to encourage mathematical thinking at home. It is a good way to introduce myself to families and to set the stage for how I plan to teach math. I want parents to feel like they can talk to me and discuss their child's progress. -
Period: to
2015/16 School year
-
Meet the Teacher/Curriculum Night
Parents visit my class and I will have a little presentation on how I teach math. I will have mini-activities out that show parents the kind of hands-on work we do. Students will have samples of their work up on the math wall and on their desks. The students' math journals will also be out. Parents will already be familiar with these as they have already come home on a few occasions. -
Parent-Teacher Conferences
To engage parents and students in this event I will have "Student-Led" Conferences. For the two weeks leading up to the conference we have been working as in class so that the student is comfortable being in charge. The teacher is present and mediates the conference but it puts the responsibility on the student. This connects to the curriculum because it says that students must take responbility in their own learning. -
Implementation of bi-weekly parent volunteers
From December on I will encourage parent visits to our math classroom. There will be one day (bi-weekly) that parents can come and be a part of a rich task that requires students to use the skills they are learning. Parents will be able to see what the students are learning and can be a part of the process. If parents are unable to make it into the class I will send home a connected activity that parents can do with their children at home. -
Take Home Math Kits
Student begin to take home monthly math kits that include an activity/game to be played with families at home. The game connects to a skill being learned in class. I will include manipulatives or ask that manipulatives be found at home (macroni for counters!) Students will come back to class and share how the game went. -
Math Night
Math Night is a way to make it easier for parents that work during the day to visit the school and see how their children are learning math. The parents will go to different stations with their child and be actively involved in a rich task. Each station will have a take-home sheet that includes at-home activities and websites that will further the skill being taught. Since this math night is before March Break parents will have valuable tools to keep learning active while away. -
Parents and EQAO
A month before the test I send home a letter to explain how to encourage students and prevent stress. Parents in my community tend to take the test very seriously which puts unnecessary anxiety on the students. Calming the parents does a lot to reduce the stress in the kids. The EQAO website includes guides in 21 languages. -
Math Celebration Fair
All year students know that the celebration is coming! Parents are involved by helping their child create a game that connects to a math concept we have worked on. The game is played at the fair and parents are invited. There are treats and prizes and it is a great way to celebrate all that has happened in the past year. Setting up a Math Fair
