Using Teacher Inquiry for Knowing and Supporting Parents with Mathematics

By (author) Regina M. Mistretta

Not available to order

Publication date:

18 March 2015

Length of book:

112 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

ISBN-13: 9781475812596

Parents are those social factors that can positively influence their child’s learning of mathematics. Using Teacher Inquiry for Knowing and Supporting Parents with Mathematics serves as a teacher’s inquiry guide for supporting parents in this critical role. Steps for investigating the manner in which parents and children work together on mathematics tasks, such as homework and projects, are shared. Findings gleaned from such investigation cultivate a state of knowing that positions teachers to support parents, and in turn their students, in meaningful and relevant ways. This book includes teacher inquiry approaches, related tools, and supportive resources for parents in grades Pre-K though 12. Teachers’ inquiry findings on their journey towards being "in the know" about parents and mathematics, along with their responsive action steps, are shared to help guide the reader’s use of inquiry for knowing and supporting parents with mathematics. Some key additional features of this book include:
  • Support for both individual and collective teacher inquiry
  • Resources for supporting parents through the grades
  • Online teacher inquiry resources
  • Anchor tasks for developing parents’ knowledge of mathematics content, and ways of supporting children’s understandings of that content

Mistretta’s stance that parents are resources for children’s mathematical learning is refreshing, as is her emphasis on inquiry as a tool for supporting children and parents in mathematics. Readers may find useful resources referenced throughout the text, including links to Microsoft Word and PowerPoint files. Those ready to embark on a serious, focused inquiry journey aimed at learning about and working more effectively with parents will find this book to be a helpful resource.