This document outlines the agenda and beliefs of a presenter for a Family Math Night. The presenter believes that all children can learn math through problem solving activities and constructing their own understanding. The presenter advocates using a constructivist approach to math teaching where students work to solve problems and make connections. This allows students to become confident mathematicians and transfer math skills to the real world. The presentation addresses how students can speak and write about math, and answers common questions parents have about how their children will learn basic facts and how they can help support their learning.

1. Family Math Night Image from http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/departments/hiat/websites/math.shtm Presenter: Renee Cameron Please view each notes page to see script for assignment

2. Agenda How do kids learn? My beliefs Problem-solving Speaking & writing during math class Questions

3. How do kids learn math? Traditional Math Rote Worksheets Math Today Constructivist Approach Problem Solving

4. My Beliefs Any child can learn math Children construct their own learning All children can learn math concepts through problem solving activities

5. Constructing Math Knowledge

6. Problem-Solving Creates confident mathematicians Transfers to the real-world Allows making connections

7. A Math Lesson Today Getting started Working on it Reflecting and Connecting Problem Solving Strategy Poster images from: http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/edu/pdf/Mod18_sample_posters.pdf

8. Speaking & Writing during Math Safe to talk about math Safe to write about math Incorrect answers are valuable

9. Questions How will my child memorize the basic facts? How will this help them in high school? How can I help my child when I wasn’t taught math this way? How do you use the text book?

10. Bibliography A Guide to Effective Instruction in Math, K-6, Vol. 2. Problem Solving and Communication Burns, Marilyn (2007). About Teaching Mathematics: A K-8 Resource: Math Solutions : Pearson Publishers. Funderstanding theories. Retrieved October 19, 2008 from http://www.funderstanding.com/about_learning.cfm eWorkshop –Online Teaching Resource. (2008) Retrieved October 19, 2008 from http://www.eworkshop.on.ca/edu/pdf/Mod18_sample_posters.pdf McIntosh, Margaret E.; Draper, Roni Jo. (2001). Using learning logs in mathematics: writing to learn. Mathematics teacher. v. 94 no. 7 p. 544-547. Tolliver, K. Math and Communication. Retrieved October 19, 2008 from http://www.fasenet.org/store/kay_toliver/math_and_communication.htm Murphy, E. (1997). Constructivism from philosophy to practice Retrieved October 19, 2008, from http://www.cdli.ca/~elmurphy/emurphy/cle.html Southwest Educational Development t Laboratory: Classroom Compass Winter 1994 v. 1 no. 3 Retrieved October 19, 2008 from http://www.sedl.org/scimath/compass/v01n03/welcome.html Photographs taken with the permission of classroom teachers that Renee Cameron worked with as a Math Coach, 2007-2008