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® 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® and play Chess. Twitter: @Dr_KreisbergWebsite: 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 PagesAbout the AuthorsAcknowledgementsIntroductionWhy This Book Now?Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Coronavirus EpidemicExamining Your Core BeliefsWhat Role Have You Played?What is a Parents Role in Their Child′s Mathematics Learning?How to Use This BookThe Goal and Structure of This BookAPPLY IT!Stepping Into Parents′ ShoesAsking Parents About School CommunicationWhat Parents Do and WhyWhat Can We Learn?Putting It All TogetherFrequently Asked QuestionsApply It! Teacher ActivityApply It! Leader ActivityUnderstanding What Parents Need to Know About Today′s MathWhat Parents Really Need to Know About Today′s MathMath Instruction Evolves...Just Like Everything ElseMathematics is Not a GeneWe Prepare Students for the Future, Not TodayWhat Parents Really Need to Know About Their Child′s MathPutting It All TogetherFrequently Asked QuestionsApply It! Teacher ActivityApply It! Leader ActivityPlanning Effective School-wide Mathematics CommunicationThe Systemic ProblemThe Determining Roles of All StakeholdersClarifying Roles of Leaders, Teachers, and Other EducatorsClarifying Roles of ParentsCrafting and Communicating Consistent School-wide PoliciesEstablishing Homework PoliciesCommunicating Grading PoliciesGetting Buy-In and Commitment from All StakeholdersPutting It All TogetherFrequently Asked QuestionsApply It! Teacher ActivityApply It! Leader ActivityExploring How to Communicate with Parents About MathWhat Makes Written Communication With Parents Effective?Write So They Can Read ItWrite So They Want to Read ItRelate to What Parents KnowCommunicate FrequentlyTools For Communication and When to Use ThemTraditional CommunicationDigital CommunicationPutting it All TogetherFrequently Asked QuestionsApply It! Teacher ActivityExploring What to Communicate to Parents About MathReaching Parents-at-largeSchoolwide Beginning of Year LetterHomework Communication from School Level to ParentsMid-Year Homework SurveyReaching Parents-as-a-classBeginning of Year SurveyBeginning of Year Letter from the TeacherUnit Preview LettersWeekly LettersMid-Year and End-of-Year Surveys from TeacherReaching Parents-as-individualsPutting It All TogetherFrequently Asked QuestionsApply It! Teacher ActivityApply It! Leader ActivityHosting Parent EventsParent ExperiencesNon-Math Specific EventsBack to School NightsParent-Teacher ConferencesMath-Specific EventsFamily Math NightsParent Math NightsFamily Math Days and MorningsParent Book ClubsMystery MathematiciansPutting It All TogetherFrequently Asked QuestionsApply It! Teacher ActivityApply It! Leader ActivityConclusion: Shifting the NarrativeOur Top 8 Ways to Support Parents in MathematicsReferencesIndex

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.