November 14: We have begun a new unit on Geometry! The students are excited as Investigations takes a very hands on approach. After talking with many of you about struggles with math homework, I thought it would be useful to mention a few things here. Investigations takes a very different approach to learning than the math programs you may be used to. We allow students to create their own strategies to solving problems including multiplication and division. These strategies are based on what they already know and what works best for them. As they are learning these strategies, they may forget when they go home. It is a temptation for parents to step in and show their children the more traditional approaches to multiplication or division. Unfortunately, this tends to confuse students even more. What’s the answer?
The Student Math Handbook! Your children have been urged to keep this at home or at least keep it in their binders. Each homework page has an icon in the upper right corner that refers students and parents to the Handbook page or pages that will help with the homework. The strategies described there will be more familiar to your children. It will also help you to learn math in a new way! If all else fails, send in the homework with a note that says you tried! Please try to avoid teaching additional strategies unless you speak with me first. Don’t be afraid to call me here at school!
I will also post a list of questions you can ask your child while they work with the homework. This is put out by Investigations and should help.
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