Using Teacher Inquiry for Knowing and Supporting Parents with Mathematics

By (author) Regina M. Mistretta

Publication date:

20 March 2015

Length of book:

94 pages

Publisher

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Dimensions:

234x164mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781475812572

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

Contents
Foreward
Preface
Dedication
Introduction
1. Parents: Social Factors For Learning Mathematics
Teacher Inquiry For Knowing And Supporting Parents With Mathematics
Teacher Inquiry Approaches
Planning Your Inquiry Journey
Supporting Parents Through The Grades
References
2.Surfacing Perspectives Through Surveying
Surveys For Surfacing Perspectives
Survey 1
Survey 1 Findings
Survey 1 Responsive Action Steps
Survey 2
Survey 2 Findings
Survey 2 Responsive Action Steps
Survey 3
Survey 3 Findings
Survey 3 Responsive Action Steps
Planning Your Survey Inquiry
Supporting Parents Through The Grades
References
3.Witnessing Parent-Child Interactions Through Observation
Determining What To Observe
Gathering Families
Engaging Families
Taking Field Notes
Findings And Responsive Action Steps
Planning Your Observation Inquiry
Supporting Parents Through The Grades
References
4.Digging Deeper Through Interviewing
Conducting Interviews
Findings And Responsive Action Steps
Planning Your Interview Inquiry
Supporting Parents Through The Grades
References
5.Anchor Tasks For Families Anchor Task 1: Concept Cards
Anchor Task 2: Attribute Pieces Anchor Task 3: Pattern Blocks
Anchor Task 4: Perimeter And Area
Anchor Task 5: Finding Pi Anchor Task 6: Monster Combos Anchor Task 7: Let’s Talk Pizza!
6.Learning As A Teacher Inquiry Group About Parents And Mathematics Collective Learning Framework 1
Collective Learning Framework 2
References

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.