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How important will
math skills be during the 21st Century? Mathematics Equals Opportunity, a
report published by the U.S. Department of Education, gets right to the point:
"Students with a strong grasp of mathematics have an advantage in academics
and in the job market."
Many professions that
once required little background in math now call for specific skills in algebra,
geometry, measurement, probability and statistics. For example, an entry-level
auto mechanic needs to be able to apply algebraic formulas and physics to
properly wire the electrical circuits of a car. Other careers/jobs that require
a strong knowledge of math, just to name a few, include medical assistants*,
physical therapists*, computer systems analysts*, roofers, photographers and
dental hygienists (*according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are among
the fastest-growing and highest-paying fields).
In response to this,
the New York State Board of Regents has not only stiffened graduation
requirements in math, but has raised the standards on what must be taught all
the way back into the elementary years.
This is math
At the elementary
level, the goal is to get young children off to a solid mathematical start by
helping them understand how they use math in their everyday activities. In the
process, they are introduced to sophisticated math concepts at a very early age.
For example:
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Kindergartners
might sort blocks by color, size and shape, while others learn about item
prices in the classroom grocery store.
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First graders
might create graphs to compare the letters in their names with those of
classmates.
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Second graders
might learn about three-dimensional shapes and the lines they are made of
by creating the shapes with straws and twist ties.
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Third graders
might learn how to estimate by guessing how many M&Ms they will find
when they open a bag of the candies.
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Fourth and fifth
graders might learn about percentages and placing value by computing
baseball averages of players on their favorite ball teams.
Parents
can help too!
In the elementary
years, parents are key to helping children become familiar with mathematical
ideas and activities as they relate to the world outside of school. Educators
say that students whose families are involved in their school work are more
likely to pursue challenging math courses later on.
Here are some
activities that you can do with your child that will boost his or her math
skills:
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Count the number
of steps needed to walk from the sidewalk to the front door or from the
first to the second floor of your home. Try to walk the same distance with
fewer or more steps.
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Count and pair
objects around the house (laundry sorting is great for finding pairs).
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Make a game out
of doubling, tripling or quadrupling small numbers (try this with larger
numbers to challenge older children).
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Using everyday
objects as counters (buttons, coins, peanuts, blocks); make up your own
addition and subtraction problems (i.e., The bird laid three eggs [put
down three counters]. Then she laid another three [add the additional
three counters]. How many eggs has she laid altogether?)
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Grocery shopping
lends itself beautifully to all sorts of math activities. When you are
shopping, enlist your child’s help in finding objects (We have one can
of tuna at home. We need five all together. How many more do we need to
buy?) Have your older children become price sleuths (I have $20 to spend.
We need the following items. Will I have enough money to get everything on
our list?)
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Empty your
change purse or grab a handful of coins from the coin jar. Children can
sort them by type, count the number of each type of coin, calculate the
value of each pile of coins and determine the total value of all the
coins.
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Measure objects
around the home using conventional tools (ruler, tape measure, yard stick)
and non-conventional ones (Goldfish crackers, hands and feet, pencils -
i.e., Kevin is XX hands tall; the table is XX Goldfish crackers long).
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Cooking is a
great way to learn about measuring. Gobble Up Math: Fun Activities to
Complete and Eat for Kids in Grades K-3 by Sue Mogard and The Math Chef:
Over 60 Math Activities and Recipes for Kids by Joan D’Amico are two
books to look to for math-in-the-kitchen inspiration.
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Math can be
combined with eating. Pizza goes from a circular whole to two equal
halves, quarters, eighths, even sixteenths. Using a handful of edible
counters such as M&Ms or Skittles, have children sort them in half,
into four equal piles or quarters, etc.
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Go on a shape
scavenger hunt. Find conventional and non-conventional shapes around the
house. Car rides are a great time to find all sorts of shapes in road
signs, store windows and around the neighborhood. A walk in nature can
yield surprising shapes (ladybugs are round and symmetrical, a tree trunk
can be seen as both a two-dimensional rectangle and a column).
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Have children
use household objects (toothpicks stuck into marshmallows, straws, pipe
cleaners or twist ties) to construct different shapes.
Math
resources for parents
Here are some books,
magazines and other resources that provide ideas for fun and easy math
activities you can do with your children. They are available from local
libraries and bookstores.
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Math Start Series
by Stuart Murphy –
These books include stories about a variety of math concepts and include
ideas for at-home math activities
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The Math Book for
Girls and Other Beings Who Count by Valerie Wyatt
– Fun activities and explanations of practical ways math is applied in
everyday life
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Hands-On Math
Around the Year
(kindergarten and up) by Jacqueline Clarke
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50 Fabulous
Measurement Activities
(kindergarten and up) by Martin Lee and Marcia Miller
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Family Fun
magazine and website http://www.FamilyFun.com
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Easy MathART
Projects and Activities
(kindergarten and up) by Cecilia Dinio-Durkin
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Family Math for
Young Children by
Jean K. Stenmark – This guide includes ideas for games, problem-solving,
experimenting and other math discovery for parents and children
>
Back
For
permission to reprint this article, please contact the
Capital Region BOCES Communications Service at (518)
464-3960.
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