Partnering With Parents in Elementary School Math

Dr. Hilary Kreisberg is the Director of the Center for Mathematics Achievement at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, an Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education, President of the Boston Area Mathematics Specialists organization, and co-author of the book Adding Parents to the Equation: Understanding Your Child's Elementary School Math. She also is a Global Math Project Ambassador, reviewer for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Mathematics Teacher journal, and a curriculum and product developer. She began her career as an elementary teacher and later became a K-5 Math Coach to be able to support other teachers in their understanding and teaching of mathematics. Hilary has been featured on NPR Boston (WBUR) Radio, CBS Boston (WBZ) news, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Education Weekly, Boston Magazine, and the Lowell Sun. She is a frequent national, regional, and local speaker and has won over $2 million dollars in federal and private funding for mathematics education research. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics, a Master's degree in Teaching, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Development. She is a Certified U.S. Math Recovery (R) Intervention Specialist and is also endorsed to teach Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) learners and holds both Special Education and Mathematics licensure. For fun, Hilary likes to do Zumba (R) and play Chess. Twitter: @Dr_Kreisberg Website: www.lesley.edu/center/math-achievement Dr. Matthew L. Beyranevand is the K-12 Mathematics Department Coordinator for the Chelmsford Public Schools in Massachusetts. Matthew is an ambassador for the Global Math Project, consults on the creation of mathematics curriculum, and a member of the Massachusetts STEM Advisory Council. He also serves as an adjunct professor of mathematics and education at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell and Fitchburg State University. He is the author of the book Teach Math Like This, Not Like That, co-author of the book Adding Parents to the Equation: Understanding Your Child's Elementary School Math, and his website is www.mathwithmatthew.com. Twitter: @MathwithMatthew

Praise Pages About the Authors Acknowledgements Introduction Why This Book Now? Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Coronavirus Epidemic Examining Your Core Beliefs What Role Have You Played? What is a Parents Role in Their Child's Mathematics Learning? How to Use This Book The Goal and Structure of This Book APPLY IT! Stepping Into Parents' Shoes Asking Parents About School Communication What Parents Do and Why What Can We Learn? Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Understanding What Parents Need to Know About Today's Math What Parents Really Need to Know About Today's Math Math Instruction Evolves...Just Like Everything Else Mathematics is Not a Gene We Prepare Students for the Future, Not Today What Parents Really Need to Know About Their Child's Math Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Planning Effective School-wide Mathematics Communication The Systemic Problem The Determining Roles of All Stakeholders Clarifying Roles of Leaders, Teachers, and Other Educators Clarifying Roles of Parents Crafting and Communicating Consistent School-wide Policies Establishing Homework Policies Communicating Grading Policies Getting Buy-In and Commitment from All Stakeholders Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Exploring How to Communicate with Parents About Math What Makes Written Communication With Parents Effective? Write So They Can Read It Write So They Want to Read It Relate to What Parents Know Communicate Frequently Tools For Communication and When to Use Them Traditional Communication Digital Communication Putting it All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Exploring What to Communicate to Parents About Math Reaching Parents-at-large Schoolwide Beginning of Year Letter Homework Communication from School Level to Parents Mid-Year Homework Survey Reaching Parents-as-a-class Beginning of Year Survey Beginning of Year Letter from the Teacher Unit Preview Letters Weekly Letters Mid-Year and End-of-Year Surveys from Teacher Reaching Parents-as-individuals Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Hosting Parent Events Parent Experiences Non-Math Specific Events Back to School Nights Parent-Teacher Conferences Math-Specific Events Family Math Nights Parent Math Nights Family Math Days and Mornings Parent Book Clubs Mystery Mathematicians Putting It All Together Frequently Asked Questions Apply It! Teacher Activity Apply It! Leader Activity Conclusion: Shifting the Narrative Our Top 8 Ways to Support Parents in Mathematics References Index

What an amazing, practical resource to support teachers and leaders in intentionally strengthening communication and building partnerships with parents to support student learning in mathematics! Positioning parents as partners underscores that together we can ensure all students see themselves as thinkers and doers of mathematics. -- Trena L. Wilkerson * Professor of Mathematics Education, Baylor University, Waco, TX * Parents send us the best they have each day, their children. The dreams, plans, and aspirations for a better and brighter future for their children are entrusted to educators, with the hope that we will do all we can to prepare them. This powerful resource is filled with insights from parents, practical guidance, and tools to help educators truly build the much-needed partnerships with parents to change the narrative. -- John W. Staley * Coordinator, Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore, MD * This book is a must-read for any elementary educator who wants to empower their students and families to love math! It is a how-to guide in helping YOU as an educator improve your best practices. This book will encourage you to hit the ground running and initiate the change we need for today's 21st century math instruction! -- Katelin Shepler * Folsom, CA * Parents are assets and critical partners to student's mathematical success! Partnering With Parents in Elementary School Math provides school educators and leaders with just the right strategies, exemplars, and structures to honor the strengths, knowledge, and skills that all families bring to support their child's mathematical journey. This is the book I've been waiting for! -- Cathery Yeh * Orange, CA * Parents and caregivers play an instrumental role in the mathematical success of their children, but many may be surprised by current mathematical teaching practices. Navigating this sometimes new territory is particularly demanding for families thrust into active teaching roles through online education. As the authors emphasize, we need a team approach that will support each and every child. This must-read book bridges home and school with ways to share mindsets and language, build coherent structures, and make mathematics instruction a positive, high-quality, and inclusive learning experience. -- Karen S. Karp and Sarah B. Bush This is a great easy-to-implement resource for teachers who want to engage in effective communication with parents and help them make sense of their child's mathematics learning experience. -- Kristopher J. Childs * Winter Garden, FL * Families are crucial partners in children's education, and educators need strategies to ensure partnership works. This is especially true in elementary mathematics education, where content may be unfamiliar or presented in new ways--ultimately leading to confusion between home and school. This guide supports the crucial work of opening communication channels, aligning educators' and families' efforts toward the same goals. -- Ilana Seidel Horn * Nashville, TN * Who are our most powerful-and yet underserved-partners in math learning? Parents. In this compelling book, the authors help educators envision what vibrant parent-school partnerships can do for math education, then equip us with the skills and tools we need to build these relationships. -- B. Michelle Rinehart * Fort Davis, TX * Teachers spend a great deal of time planning for effective mathematics instruction; this book offers practical and actionable ways for teachers and schools to maximize the work they're doing around elementary mathematics by bringing parents in as stronger partners in this work. -- Kristine Gettelman * Milwaukee, WI * This book provides step-by-step guidance for schools to facilitate effective communication with parents while still giving the schools choices in how and what communication will look like. A must-read to build equitable practices that impact all students. -- Lori Mueller * West Point, IA * This book offers suggestions, strategies, and structures elementary teachers need and want to educate and inform parents. The authors' work is comprehensive and very practical, and it thoughtfully provides teachers with incredible ready-to-use ideas for promoting math home-to-school connections. -- Kristen Mangus * Howard County, MD * Look no further for an invaluable resource as a reference or professional book study to enhance the parent/community engagement portion of your school's mission or improvement plan. Kreisberg and Beyranevand have created a powerful how-to guide for teachers and school leaders to create and strengthen partnerships with parents, families, and caregivers in service of children's mathematics learning. -- Paul Gray * Dallas, TX *