lack of communication - school

[ElinElin]

I sometimes find it difficult to help my dd year 2 with maths. With a lot of maths there are different ways of working something out and I don't know what strategy the school is teaching and I don't want to confuse dd showing her something that the school might tell them not to do or if the school is using a different way. Does your school communicate maths strategies that they use is your dc school? And if so how do they communicate that?

At my request (preen) there was a recent talk to parents about what strategies the school uses to teach basic math functions in yrs4-6 (add subtract multiply divide).

It was immensely helpful. The school has had such presentations before (I can't take credit for them). School's preferred strategies change over time, so just as well they occasionally update us.

The school sends out occasional leaflets, too, about their techniques. But I find those hard to follow & I think school accepts leaflets aren't always enough.

If you can gather a posse of like-minded parents perhaps you could jointly make a request for a half hour chat about math strategies used in your child's age group. Where a staff member explains and demonstrates with examples on a board. Good luck.

I've just had this issue with my dd's school - she's Y1.

I took a 2 pronged approach. I spoke with her teacher during parents' evening to ask specific questions about how I could help her. I also met with the Head and explained that maths has changed considerably since I was at school and I'm probably not alone in not having encountered number bonds and number lines/squares in my own schooling. My dd's school ran regular parental involvement sessions after school in reception, which were very helpful, and I suggested that something similar be continued throughout the school.

She said all the right things, but when nothing happened, I wrote a formal letter to her cc-ing in the Chair of Governors. Two after school sessions were organised very quickly, and they were very useful.

In your circumstances, I would speak to the class teacher and ask her for suggestions about resources to help you dd, and take it from there.

Over the last few years our school has had an evening session for parents on primary maths strategies. There has also been a hand out booklet on techniques, and (IIRC) sit in sessions for parents for maths classes.

Personally I think the evening session just for adults was the most useful.

I meant to say the governors also sat in on lessons, and sent a questionnaire to parents asking how well they thought they understood the maths their children were doing.

I think one of the big things was the improvement in communication with parents. Most schools are aware that most parents don't understand current maths teaching methods, and breaking down the barriers is important. But equally important is the message that the school cares about whether the parents can engage as well.

Our school has got an afternoon session at the end of this month on how numeracy is taught within the classroom so hopefully I will know more after this (as currently I know nothing!!)