The Magic of Research… Maybe this “New Math” isn’t so scary after all?

I was watching a televised music concert and in between songs the lead singer was sharing about being home much more and taking on the homeschooling process due to the “virus crisis.” One of the issues he spoke on was about the “New Math.” His comments caught my interest as I have had several clients share their frustrations about trying to help their students with math and I have had my own experience with the “New Math.”

Now,  this “New Math” seems to be a consistent source of trepidation for many parents and grandparents. A couple of years ago,  I was helping my Grands with their homework and to my dismay, I was unable to help them with their math. Keep in mind,  I could solve the math equations, just not the way they were being taught to solve them. I had never been exposed to this “New Math” before, as my Son was out of school and in the military before it hit the schools.

I decided it is time for me to do my own research into the “What, Why, When, Where, How and the Who” of “Common Core Math.” I was already researching for tips on “Notetaking and Effective ways to Study,” for today’s students and how best we, parents and grandparents, can help. Especially when fall classes begin.

Interesting piece I found on this “New Math,” from The Conversation: The Common Core is today’s New Math – which is actually a good thing

And The Understood Team offers 9 “New Math” Problems and Methods

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Tips for Homeschooling or Distance Learning

One important warning about homeschooling I found in my research is, do not go out and buy or order some big homeschool package you may not even need. In the case of studying,  the rule of “Too much is too much” does pertain.

With summer break beginning soon,  this is a good time to get prepared and find new ways of taking notes, studying and to learn more about this “New Math” to ease possible frustrations with helping our students.

Here are a few suggestions from homeschool sites that may be of interest:

1. The First and most important priority is to know what your child’s learning style is!

Not knowing how your child learns and retains information, especially math,
Does NOT make you a bad parent!!! Please do not allow ego to keep you from
Finding out what style of learning allows your child to excel at his or her studies especially taking tests. I have shared a link below on this subject.

And please do not say to your child….”Why don’t you know this?” “You had this last year!” Or …. “How many times do we have to go over this?”

The answer is: as many times as, it takes for them to “get” it. As many times as needed for the child to connect with the information. We are always looking for the proverbial “Ah-Hah” moments in life and homework for students should be one “Ah-Hah” moment after another.

2. It is helpful to have a designated space for your child to do their studies.
3. Set specific goals for them to achieve for each subject.
4. Get a planner and make a home school schedule, one your student can put a checkmark on for the goals they have accomplished..
5. Set a timer for them to work alone, and when the timer goes off, they know they are to check in with you, or you will check in with them to see how they are doing.
6. Make use of a whiteboard for visual help in solving a math problem. Writing out formulas for math will also help your student feel like they are being taught and have your full attention.
7. Make a designated time for this interaction just as you do if you have a meeting at your workplace.

These tips alone will help diminish frustrations on both sides and keep interruptions to a minimum.

It is also important that your student be given breaks that include snacks and a little exercise. Just like school, they get two breaks and recess.

It has also been found that most students work better when there is some form of a schedule to follow and knowing what the expectations are for the tasks at hand. It may be helpful for your student to make use of YouTube tutorials. I know that since I am a visual learner that watching a  how-to video is easier for me to “get it” than reading a manual.

One of the most exciting things I have learned, because I love music so much and have seen how it can be used as a successful treatment in areas of mental health, is how music can help some students be more effective in their studying. I find background music is very helpful for my concentration. There are studies done on types of music that help in all forms of studies.

Check out study music on YouTube. Use the terms “Study Music for Kids,” “Study Music for Teens,” and  “Study Music for Adults” to find more music.

Below are a couple sites I found useful for notetaking and studying:

Academic Reading and Notetaking. (I certainly did not know this little tidbit about successfully reading an academic chapter)

A few tips I learned from this website:

• Look through the chapter
• Look at the headings and subheadings
• Look at the pictures and captions, charts, or graphs.
• Read any bold or italicized words and look up those you do not understand
• Go to the back of the chapter and read the summary, review questions, and notes. (these are generally the essential facts to learn in the chapter)
• Then read the chapter. You will find you are more aware of what you need to learn from the chapter.

The best notetaking apps of 2020
https://zapier.com/blog/best-note-taking-apps/

How to take notes on a computer like a pro
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njstk6xlrh0

The Best Notetaking Methods
For college students & serious note-takers
https://medium.goodnotes.com/the-best-note-taking-methods-for-college-students-451f412e264e

HOW TO TAKE STUDY NOTES: 5 EFFECTIVE NOTE TAKING METHODS
https://www.oxfordlearning.com/5-effective-note-taking-methods/

My research Concerning the Struggles with Today’s “New Math.”

The struggle is  real and, not because parents do not have experience with math, but primarily because they do not know “The New Math.”

I do understand that this New Math is much more of an intricate, in-depth, and involved way to solve a math problem, however, I have also learned that other methods are supposed to be available to a child if they are really struggling with this style of math.

Once again, it is all in the approach. If something does not make sense, take the time to research it, and if it still isn’t making sense, find someone who can help explain it in a way it does make sense or take a different direction to come to the right solution. As the new saying goes…. “There is more than one way to grow a garden.”

In my experience: ……. if someone has been provided detailed information on how to perform a task, they can generally accomplish the task with success and less stress.

There are many helpful math notetaking ideas available. I also found the following tidbit for taking math notes concerning formulas:

• Get a notebook designated for Math only.
• Write the name of the book, the chapter, and the page number for each formula.
• Write down the name of the formula and the formula itself.
• Underneath that, write out the example given for that formula.
• Underneath that, write your math problem you now need to solve using the formula.

These steps can become your reference and guide for future math problems and taking your tests.

Here is a  link I found that may be of interest to anyone wanting a refresher course, from Mr. Barton Maths.

I encourage everyone who is frustrated with their children’s new math to take the time to research the style of math they are doing. I found more “How To” math videos than I ever expected.

It is essential to fully understand “HOW” your student learns best and make sure they get the detailed help that fits their learning style and will help them be successful.

Find out if they are Analytical thinkers, Creative thinkers, Abstract thinkers, and so on. This article from MindValley describes 7 common types of thinking, and how to identify them in yourself or your child.

This “Stay in Place” scenario gives us plenty of time to ensure we are making educated decisions about what our children are experiencing and how best to help them…… Please… I encourage you to find the answers that work for you and your student. If you need support, come follow me on Facebook.

Hugs to all and happy successful studying! <3 <3 <3