Mathematics is a part of our everyday life. We all “do math.” We count money, measure things, sort from biggest to smallest, know how many miles it is into town and how long it takes to get there. At work, we may use spreadsheets, a calculator or adding machine, a cash register, or a precision measuring tool. The list goes on and on. Children are taught mathematics in school, but families are an essential part of this learning process too. By doing math with your children and supporting math learning at home, you can make a great difference! 
Here's your nightly math problem! Just 5 quick minutes of number fun for kids and parents at home. Read a cool fun fact, followed by math riddles at different levels so everyone can jump in. Your kids will love you for it. Click on the image below to view tonight's fun math problem!

Helping Your Child with Math Homework

​Many parents worry about not knowing the math their children are studying. In this case, the way to provide homework help is actually quite simple: ask questions and practice careful listening. Simple generic questions can help your child gradually make sense of math, build confidence, and encourage mathematical thinking and communication. When given the opportunity to talk about math, children are often able to remember what they learned in class and see the solution themselves. A good question can open up your child’s thinking about the problem at hand. Here are some useful questions for you  to try. Remember that listening to your child’s answers—and providing calm responses—is as important as the questions you ask.

WHEN YOUR CHILD ISN’T SURE HOW TO BEGIN A PROBLEM, ASK:
  • Can you tell me what you know now? What math facts do you have?
  • What do you need to find out? Can you estimate the answer?
  • How might you begin? What can you try first?
  • Can you make a drawing or picture to get started?

WHILE YOUR CHILD IS WORKING ON A PROBLEM, ASK:
  • How can you organize your information? Will a list or table help?
  • What would happen if …? Show me what you did that didn’t work.
  • Can you explain the strategy you’re using to solve this?
  • Why did you …?
  • What could you do next? Do you see any patterns?

WHEN YOUR CHILD FINDS AN ANSWER, ASK:
  • Does that answer make sense? Why do you think that?
  • How did you get your answer? Do you think it’s right?
  • Convince me that your solution makes sense. Explain it in a different way.

When questions alone just won’t do, another strategy for helping your child is to identify a friend or relative who knows more mathematics than you do. Find out if that person would be willing to answer an occasional phone call from your son or daughter. The Internet is also a great resource. Check out our resource page with many informative math websites. Explore these sites with your child and see if they provide the kind of support you need.
Click on the picture above to access our district's adopted math program, EnvisionMath. 

Children's Books with Math Themes

Math is Everywhere!!!

Math at home doesn’t have to happen sitting at a desk. During playtime, on a walk, while you’re fixing dinner, or when your child is just looking for something to do—these are all great opportunities to suggest a math activity. Here are a few ideas that will help your children discover— and use—the math around them.
IN A PLAY AREA, YOUR CHILD CAN:
  • Count blocks as he or she builds a tower.
  • Sort toys by size, kind, or color.
  • Put dolls, cars, or blocks in order from largest to smallest.
  • Play “What am I thinking of?” by describing a toy’s size and shape.
  • Play make-believe “store” with toys and favorite objects.
 
IN THE KITCHEN, YOUR CHILD CAN:
  • Look for familiar two-dimensional shapes—circles, squares, triangles, etc.—like a round plate or square napkin.
  • Put cans of food in order by size or type.
  • Sort silverware from the dishwasher to the drawer.
  • Count plates, utensils, cups, or even olives.
  • Divide a plate of cookies evenly so that each family member gets an equal share.
  • Find how many glasses of milk are in a full milk carton.
  • Help you double a recipe, or cut one in half.
AROUND THE HOUSE, YOUR CHILD CAN:
  • Count the days on a calendar until a special event.
  • Find the length and width of a room by pacing it off.
  • Draw a diagram of how to rearrange furniture in a room.
  • Make a “map” of the whole house.
  • Create a family TV schedule and track the amount of time watched.
OUTSIDE THE HOUSE, YOUR CHILD CAN:
  • Set up and operate a lemonade stand.
  • Plant a garden with rows and columns of seeds.
  • Count the petals on different flowers.
  • Measure a sunflower or bean plant daily, keeping track of how it grows.
  • Count how many times he or she can jump rope or shoot baskets in a row.
  • Keep a daily chart of the temperature.
  • Find triangles, squares, circles, and rectangles around the neighborhood.

Click here for additional ideas!  
Supporting Your Child with Mathematics