Math Workshop, “The Strategies Behind the Mathematics...How to Help Kids with Homework", a huge success.

Over forty five parents of kindergarten, first and second grade students at the Luce, Hansen and JFK Elementary Schools attended yesterday evening's math workshop.  Parents participated in three "hands on" mini sessions that assisted them in understanding the common language, concepts and strategies involved in addition and subtraction in first and second grade students.  They learned about ten frames, parts/whole and more.  By the end of the two hour mini sessions, parents commented that they had a greater comfort level with the approaches to math that might be somewhat different than when they were in elementary school.  Parent comments following the program included:

• "I thought the math specialists did a fantastic job trying to outline what parents should expect.  This is new for everyone and their commitment came through."
• "I now know what I might say if my child has questions about his homework.  I can ask, 'What is the part? The whole? How many do you see?'"
• The strategies for kids' math are awesome and it is good to know what our kids are learning in school."
• "I learned about 5 and 10 strategies and breaking up numbers."

Parents gave us many good suggestions for how to move forward as well.
• "It would be nice if these workshops are conducted at the start of every quarter before the kids start learning the learning....help in preparing for the homework and understanding the math."
• "All first grade parents should attend these workshops.  It was very helpful."
• "Could you send home some math games for the summer?"
• "More on how these strategies will work with multiplication and division."

Our goal now will be to have supportive workshops more often through the year for our parents, using the many recommendations that were provided to us.