This summer, in addition to review of factors (greatest common factor) and multiples (least common multiple), as well as another attempt at memorizing multiplication facts not yet known, assist your student with solidifying the algorithms for multiplying and dividing fractions and decimals versus adding and subtracting fractions and decimals. Work with percents, too, by calculating tips in restaurants, for haircuts, interest on a savings account, % discount off the regular price of a sale item, etc. 

Ways Parents Can Help With Mathematics

Whether your child has math homework for the day or not, encourage your child to spend at least 15 minutes doing math related activities (practice multiplication facts, paper/pencil math, computer math games, etc.)

Find ways to help your child practice basic facts including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

• When you’re grocery shopping with your child, have him/her keep an ongoing, mental estimation of the amount of the total bill.  Compare and discuss the accuracy of the answers.

• Ask questions, such as, “What do you need to find out?”  How can you get the information?”  What do you need to do next?”  Can you make a prediction?”

• When dining out, challenge your child to estimate and then to calculate the cost of each person’s meal including the tax and tip.  Then discuss how accurate the estimate was to the actual bill.

• As needed, assist your child in organizing his/her assignments and keeping track of his/her progress. 

• In interactions with your child, try to portray positive images and values about mathematics.

• Help your child to practice skills in fractional equivalents of decimals (.25 = ¼).

• Compare metric and U.S. systems of measurement.

• Find a graph in a newspaper, magazine or on the Internet.  Have your child answer questions by looking at the graph; such as, “What item on the graph is used most?”  “What does this tell you?”  “How does this information compare to other information in the article?”

• Provide a study place for your child.  If possible, provide a calculator, graph paper, notebook paper, a ruler with metric and standard units, and a dictionary.

• Math is everywhere, yet many children don’t see it.  Look for ways to point out and reinforce math skills at home.  For example:

      -talk about how you use math at work or in the home.

      -involve your child in tasks that require computing, measuring, estimating,   

       building, following directions, problem solving and reasoning.

      -look for activities that require your child to use his or her math skills such as

       building scale models, cooking, planning trips, and playing logic games.

• Encourage your child to participate in games and activities that teach and/or reinforce mathematics and thinking.  For example, look for games that…

-require and develop skill with mental computation and estimation.

-require players to use their math skills.

-involve the development of strategies.

-require players to think about the probability of certain events occurring.

-require the use of spatial visualization skills.

-require logical thinking.

• When you see articles that have data that might interest your child, such as sports statistics, data on teenage smoking, or facts about natural disasters, share them and talk about what the numbers mean.

• Share your problem-solving strategies and techniques, mental computation strategies, and estimation strategies.  Have your child teach you some.  Work on the same problem, then compare strategies as well as answers. 

• Invite your child to explain what was learned in math class or have him or her teach it to you.  This type of interaction provides an opportunity for your child to help clarify his or her thinking, to practice new skills, and to practice communicating mathematically.

• If your child has access to a computer, look for websites or software that reinforces and teaches math concepts.  Help your child learn to use math utilities such as spreadsheets and graphing programs.

As graded work is returned to students, they are encoureged to make corrections and return the assignment to be re-scored. Additional points will be earned and the process of reviewing/correcting work will have a positive impact on quizzes and tests.

Mrs. Collen’s Math Class Supply List

·        Plenty of #2 pencils, sharpened and ready to use (please replenish your supply regularly – nightly or weekly, depending on how fast you use or lose pencils)

·        Notebook paper – replenish supply often

·        Calculator ($3- $10 general use calculator to be used for specific assignments only)

·        Colored pencils (8 colors are usually enough – we do not need markers for math class)

·        Pencil sharpener (enclosed type to hold shavings)

·        Pencil pouch

·        12” ruler

·        Eraser(s)

·        Graph paper (3 hole punched – for specific assignments but may be used for all math assignments for those who find this helpful)

·        1” math binder or space in a larger three ring binder used for all classes (whichever organization method works best for you!)

·        Dividers – 5 tabs

Please be sure to replenish your supplies regularly, either nightly or weekly!

Please label all materials with your name to reduce loss.

Some supplies (pencils, paper, erasers, etc.) are available for purchase from the bookkeeper or student store at lunch time.

With their Pierce County Library card, students may get free Live Homework Help everyday at www.piercecountylibrary.org/kids/teens from 3-10 p.m. Check out the Peninula School District webite homepage for more information (www.peninsula.wednet.edu).

Please check on the calendar at the right of the screen for daily math homework assignments.

Please be sure to replenish your student supplies regularly - notebook paper, graph paper, pencils (#2 and colored) a general use calculator, etc., as we use these items daily.

Pencils, paper, erasers, folders , etc. are available for purchase in the student store. Please see the bookkeeper for current availability and cost.

Please label all materials with your name to reduce loss.

Please be sure to replenish your student supplies regularly - notebook paper, graph paper, pencils (#2 and colored) calculator, etc.

ALL MATH ASSIGNMENTS ARE TO BE COMPLETED IN # 2 PENCIL.

Information for Parents About the Middle School and High School Mathematics Programs:

http://www.peninsula.wednet.edu/learningteaching/curriculum/Math/parents/Information%20fo%20Parents%20Math%20Brochure%20806.pdf

A free typing website that allows students to practice their word processing speed at home is:

http://www.learn2type.com/TypingTest

Math Websites

Check out the K-10 math resources link on the PSD home page.  There you will find  sections for students and parents for elementary school, middle school and high school.

Homework Help For Parents with CMP

http://connectedmath.msu.edu/parents/

http://www.figurethis.org/fc/family_corner.htm

Math Practice

http://www.mathfactcafe.com/

http://mathcafe.com/about.htm

http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/index.html

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jeather/maths/dictionary.html

http://mathforum.org/dr.math/

http://visualfractions.com/

http://www.mathsisfun.com/geometry/degrees.html

http://www.coolmath.com/

http://www.visualmathlearning.com

http://www.aplusmath.com/Flashcards/multiplication.html

http://www.windowseat.ca/circles

http://www.mathplayground.com/

http://www.figurethis.org/

http://matti.usu.edu/nlvm/nav/

http://aaamath.com/

http://www.funbrain.com/

http://www.glencoe.com/sec/math/mac/mac01/course1/

http://www.superkids.com/aweb/tools/math/

 http://www.schoolhousetech.com/

 http://www.mathfactcafe.com/

 http://www.aplusmath.com/Worksheets/index.html

 http://www.academicsolutions.com/downloads.htm

 http://www.coastlink.com/users/sbryce/mathwork/mult_5min.htm

 http://www.jimmoulton.org/pages/worksheets.html

 http://www.rickyspears.com/rulergame/

http://www.dep.anl.gov/aattack.htm

http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/advertisingtricks/

http://www.timeme.com/stopwatch.htm