Understanding the importance of problem-solving in math education can transform your child’s learning experience
Janelle Fort Mueller, a Grade 5-6 teacher, initially taught math by pre-teaching strategies and algorithms. However, after engaging in professional development, she realized the value of problem-solving in her students’ learning. By allowing students to explore math through engaging tasks, she saw a significant improvement in their confidence and understanding. As a parent, you can encourage this approach at home by providing your child with real-life problems to solve, fostering a deeper understanding of math concepts.
Empowering Your Child’s Math Journey: A Parent’s Guide to Fostering Problem Solving Skills
As a parent of a child struggling with math, it can be disheartening to hear that schools may not always provide the support your child needs. However, there’s hope and action you can take. By understanding the transformative power of problem-solving and engaging with available tools, you can help your child overcome challenges and develop a love for math. This article explores the journey of Janelle Fort Mueller, a teacher who shifted her approach to teaching math, and offers insights on how you can apply similar strategies at home to support your child’s math education.
Engaging your child in meaningful tasks can enhance their math skills and confidence
Janelle found that using three-act math tasks and other problem-based activities helped her students engage more deeply with math. These tasks, often disconnected from traditional curriculum, sparked conversations and encouraged students to think critically. As a parent, you can create similar opportunities by integrating math into daily activities, such as cooking or budgeting, turning routine tasks into learning opportunities that can boost your child’s confidence and enjoyment of math.
Author Quote
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I think it’s most evident in some of my students that really struggle with math… just the confidence that I’m seeing in these kids and their risk-taking ability, I think that that has been a huge change for us.
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Encouraging a growth mindset in your child can lead to greater success in math
One of the key takeaways from Janelle’s experience is the importance of fostering a growth mindset in students. She observed that when students were allowed to struggle with problems and find their own solutions, they became more willing to take risks and engage with math. As a parent, you can support this by praising effort over results, encouraging your child to view challenges as opportunities to learn, and celebrating their progress, no matter how small.
Key Takeaways:
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Encourage Problem-Solving: Foster a classroom environment where students are encouraged to dive into problems without pre-teaching strategies or algorithms. This approach allows children to uncover math concepts on their own, building their confidence and creativity. Janelle Fort Mueller's transformation from pre-teaching to facilitating problem-solving demonstrates that students, even those below grade level, can contribute meaningfully and develop a positive disposition towards math.
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Integrate Rich Tasks: Use rich tasks or problem-based lessons at the beginning of each new math outcome. These tasks should be designed to have a low floor and high ceiling, enabling all students to engage and contribute. Janelle found that such tasks often cover multiple outcomes, making them suitable for split classes and helping students connect their learning across different concepts.
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Focus on Big Ideas: When planning lessons, start with the curriculum outcomes and identify the big ideas you want students to grasp. This approach helps in selecting or designing tasks that align with these goals, even if the immediate solutions don't perfectly match the outcomes. Janelle emphasized the importance of letting go of the need for perfect alignment and focusing on building students' understanding of fundamental math concepts.
Utilizing online resources and tools can supplement your child’s math education at home
Janelle’s journey was aided by professional development workshops and online resources that provided her with new strategies and ideas. As a parent, you can access similar resources to support your child’s learning. Websites like Problem Solving Skills offer valuable insights and activities that can be integrated into your child’s daily routine, helping them develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Author Quote
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I think the biggest piece for me is just helping facilitate my students kind of uncover the math for themselves… letting them show what they know through these different tasks.
”Overcoming the challenge of disengagement in math through focused efforts on core skills can lead to a brighter future for your child
One specific challenge highlighted in Janelle’s experience is the disengagement of students who found math too easy or too difficult. This can be a common issue for children, leading to frustration and a lack of interest in the subject. As a parent, your role is crucial in helping your child overcome this challenge. By focusing on Core Skills of Math, you can provide targeted support to build your child’s foundational knowledge and confidence. Encourage them to explore these skills through interactive and engaging activities, ensuring they see math as a tool for solving real-world problems. By doing so, you can help your child not only improve their math skills but also develop a positive attitude towards learning, setting them up for success in school and beyond.
Empower your child to overcome learning challenges in math with the transformative Brain Bloom System, designed to foster a love for math through engaging, real-life problem-solving activities.
