Via Fay Observer
By Emily Perschbacher Chicago Tribune (TNS)
Entering high school math can bring up anxiety for both the student and the parent. Algebra, geometry, trigonometry - the course titles are the same, but believe it or not, the way these classes are now taught in school can look a lot different from what you might remember. Here are a few ways to prepare yourself - and, more importantly, your student - for a successful school year:
ASK WHY MORE OFTEN
The best way to support your student as he transitions to these upper-level math courses is to keep an open dialogue with him about it.
"When Common Core came in, it shifted the focus to include an understanding of everything," said AmyLee Kinder, who worked as a math specialist at Magic Johnson Bridgescape Academy in Chicago's Humboldt Park last year. "It's more about the process to get there. That's very foreign to how people were taught in the past. It's more about investigative learning and students going through a scenario and understanding a concept completely."
Kinder said students are now asked, "Why do you think that?" and, "Where does that come from?" They are required to explain how they came to the answer, instead of just spitting out a number.
A great way to prepare your student for the classroom is by asking the same types of questions at home.
"Question, question, question," Kinder said. "Stay involved, as hard as it may be. From the teacher's perspective, it takes a team of people to assist these kids, and support outside the classroom is huge."
BRUSH UP ON BASICS
If your student is nervous about a new math class, try building up his confidence by revisiting basic concepts, such as addition, subtraction and fractions.
"The issues kids face in algebra aren't necessarily about algebra, but a lack of understanding about what a fraction is - things that precede that higher-level class," said Mark Kriston, owner of two Mathnasium learning centers in Chicago.
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