(303) 979-9077
(303) 979-9077
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Learning About the New Math Helps.
You aren’t alone. Lately, many parents in Littleton have been scratching their head in wonderment as they looked at their child’s math work. Even a few teachers and educators are baffled by some of the changes in the way they have to teach math. Children just starting school don’t know math instruction any other way, but children in older grades suddenly are slammed with being asked to do longer and more complex problems than ever before. A lot of parents have asked us at Mathnasium, “What are Common Core Math Standards?” and “Why is math suddenly being taught differently?”
Common core state standards in math were adopted by Colorado in 2014. Common Core State Standards set guidelines and criteria to help educators know what lessons to include in the curriculum. As an example, a 4th grade math standard is “Use the four operations with whole numbers to solve problems.” It is up to the school district, individual schools in the case of private and charter schools, and even educators to decide to teach fourth graders to add, subtract, multiply and divide to solve problems.
Change is the Source of Frustration
Think of it as a parent. Let’s pretend the state created life skills standards for parents to follow. A standard would be something like this, “A 5 year old will learn to dress herself independently.” The parent would know to include ways to fasten shoes and clothes in the curriculum. Finally, lessons would be created and taught on buttoning, zipping, snapping, tying, buckling, and straps.
But what if the standards changed? The new standards indicate, “5 year old children have to know how to dress themselves independently AND explain why they chose certain clothes AND describe their approach to fastening.” Your lessons would have to change, too, so your child could meet the new standards. You would have to include lessons you didn’t have to include before. Let’s say your child has been successfully meeting the standards for 5 year olds before the standards change. Now they are being asked to explain and describe tasks when before they just had to do the tasks. After years of teaching and learning under one set of standards, expect some struggles as everyone adapts to the new criteria.
So What Changed with the New Common Core Math Standards?
The standards aim to teach deep mathematical thinking and to prepare children for 21st century jobs. From Kindergarten to 12th grade there were 3 key shifts in the math standards.
In short, children will have a deeper understanding of all math and mathematical concepts and not just follow a series of steps to arrive at an answer. The problem is learning how to achieve the new goals. This is difficult, and switching a paradigm of thinking is even more challenging.
What Does that Mean for My Child?
Children who entered kindergarten in 2014 or later, started their schooling with the new standards and will probably be better prepared for future grades. Children who entered kindergarten before 2014 will have to shift the way they think about math. And parents who help their children with their math studies will have to shift the way they help their children. Parents can’t rely on just showing a child the tricks they learned in school. Today’s children are being asked to think on a deeper level and apply math differently as well as explain their thinking.
Since mathematical thinking builds from one grade to another, tenth graders are now struggling to meet standards because they lack the mathematical foundation for achieving them. Even second graders lack the vocabulary and higher order thinking skills in math needed to transition to the current rigorous standards. Many students in Littleton are struggling to adapt. Right answers are no longer enough if they can’t explain how they got the answer or why they approached it a certain way. Parents are frustrated because they don’t have the tools to help them.
What Can Parents in Littleton Do to Help Their Children Succeed with the Common Core?
After conferences and report cards, parents are often dismayed to learn their child needs math remediation. Parents are further frustrated by not understanding what their child is being asked to do. Parents can look at the new standards online and they can ask their child's teachers for help. Sometimes the school district or the school has parent education nights explaining topics in math. Those are valuable opportunities to learn. Unfortunately, few parents have time to learn the new standards.
How Mathnasium Helps
At Mathnasium of Littleton we understand the standards. We know what typically frustrates children in different grade levels as they attempt to transition to the new standards. Our extensive, no-risk assessment uncovers any gaps in their mathematical foundation. Then we take the time to explain to the parent and child exactly where a child is struggling.
If you come to us for instruction, we address each gap in conceptual understanding and number sense. We use many approaches to replace misconceptions with solid understanding. We go at the pace of each individual child. After some time (any where from a few months to several months depending on when the gaps started) the child’s confidence and ability to perform high-level tasks sky rockets. After getting instruction at Mathnasium, 89% of parents report that their children’s attitude towards math improved (and 6% said their children already loved it).
Children learn math in different ways and at different speeds. Some children have a learning style that doesn’t fit well with the traditional classroom. Some children need more repetition or more kinesthetic experiences than the school offers. At Mathnasiusm of Littleton, we teach each child using the approach that makes sense to the individual. We go at the pace of each student, so they experience success at math not frustration.
Call now to set up your no-obligation assessment.
303-979-9077
Ask for Suzie Shride, Center Director
