Description
Book SynopsisThis book serves to enliven three-way partnerships among parents, teachers, and students concerning mathematical learning in elementary and middle school settings. Key tenets of the principles concerning constructivism and overlapping spheres of influence are presented in the first two chapters to provide a solid theoretical basis for teaching mathematics the way we do and for involving parents in the learning process. The remaining chapters describe parental involvement initiatives that reflect a model consisting of an invitation, an initial meeting, an engagement workshop, home activities, a follow-up session, and additional tasks to maintain connections between the mathematics classroom and the home. This resource is meant for use in teacher education, in preparing school administrators, and in other courses or workshops that prepare professionals to work in mathematics classrooms and with families. It can be used in conjunction with a methods text or as a supplementary text in courses on mathematics education at elementary and middle school levels. Chapters may also be selected for courses in sociology of education, practicum teaching seminars, educational administration, community education, and staff development.
Trade ReviewMath is fun! Math is engaging! This book provides field-tested ways that will enable you to build this vision of school mathematics for parents of your students. The book provides a general model for effective school-student-parent initiatives and contains specific guidelines, activities, and materials that teachers will find easy to use and adapt. Teachers, school math specialists, college mathematics education faculty, and others interested in building and nourishing school-parent relationships should find this book to be a valuable resource for implementing the workshops described in the book and also for creating their own for many other topics in mathematics education. -- David Fuys, professor and chairperson, Mathematics Education Department, Brooklyn College
I think this is a wonderful resource for schools to use as a tool for engaging the family in understanding some of the mathematical processes in today's classrooms. I especially like the design of the letters to encourage parental commitment to follow through with the activities once they sign up for participation. -- Ruth Broughton, adjunct professor of mathematics education, Brooklyn College, and New York City mathematics coach
The strength of this book is its stand-alone, nearly identical initiative chapter format....Engagement workshop materials are unique to each initiative and include practical advice for the first time teacher. * Teaching Children Mathematics, May 2009 *
Dr. Mistretta's book addresses the identified and recognized needs of all constituencies in an educational community, as they relate to the key roles parents play as partners in the education of the their children. It offers educators and parents an ongoing, structured, research-based parent involvement model which will be recognized, understood, and welcomed by parents (and their children), and supported, implemented, and appreciated by educators. The detailed, outlined format, and accompanying supportive materials, resources, and links will facilitate the planning and implementing of this comprehensive program by teachers and coaches. Engaging Parents in Children's Learning of Mathematics will empower all constituencies in a community of learners while leading students to proficiency in mathematics and higher levels of academic achievement. -- Joseph Porzio, team associate, Partnership Support Organization, Fordham University
This book serves to enliven three-way partnerships among parents, teachers, and students concerning mathematical learning in elementary and middle school settings This resource is meant for use in teacher education, in preparing school administrators, and in other courses or workshops that prepare professionals to work in mathematics classrooms and with families. It can be used in conjunction with a methods text or as a supplementary text in courses on mathematics education at elementary and middle school levels. Chapters may also be selected for courses in sociology of education, practicum teaching seminars, educational administration, community education, and staff development. * Zentralblatt MATH *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Today's Mathematics Classrooms Chapter 3 Productive Partnerships Chapter 4 Using Hands-on Moveable Objects Chapter 5 Interacting with Web-Based Resources Chapter 6 Playing Games and Solving Puzzles Chapter 7 Conclusion
