Parent's Academy

After a handful of years staying home with my children, I returned to the classroom and was met by the dreaded Common Core.  Most of my friends have children younger than my own and I hadn't heard much opinion, either positive or negative.  It didn't take long before those opposed to the new standards voiced their opinions.  Thankfully, I had the opportunity to form my own educated opinion first.   Here's the thing: the standards are not bad and the math is not different.  I promise.  The standards are designed to more deliberately develop student number sense.  A good amount of time is spent really laying the foundation for thinking about numbers and how they come together.  Math is much more than this, of course.  While the Common Core State Standards, CCSS for short, are not bad, sometimes the way we (or texts) go about delivering them to students is not so great.  Case and point:

This problem was on my 2nd grader's homework.  All I could think over and over again was "WHO CARES ABOUT THE PAPER CLIPS?"  If I'm thinking this as a math teacher, what are non-math teacher parents thinking?!

Several years ago, I implemented a Parent's Academy where I host adult homework helpers in the classroom where their students learn.  Humor is mixed with content knowledge to acknowledge their struggle and concern, teach them WHY things are different, and how to effectively help their students on their own (more positive) math journeys.  The program was relaxed and well attended.  Parents asked great questions and made connections about their own math experiences.  They quickly realized that it was low stress and informative.  Not only were parents exposed to this "new math" first hand, they were able to form an ongoing relationship with me as the classroom teacher.  Parents knew that their students could have their questions answered (guidance, facilitation) via email or other online resources after school and encouraged self-advocacy on the part of their learners.  The home-school connection was powerful.

As I embark on a new professional journey this year, I hope to bring back the Parent's Academy to help enhance a positive math experience for my students.  It takes courage for parents to set aside their own math anxiety and frustrations and attend a math class at night, but hopefully they will see it's worth and have a little fun along the way!