Partnering for Math Success in Lower School: Empowering Your Child’s Math Journey at Home

On Friday, November 8, and Monday, November 11, the Harmony Theater was filled with parents and guardians of Lower School students attending the first "Partnering for Math Success" event of the school year. Led by Ms. Katie O’Gorman, Lower School Math Coordinator, the engaging session provided valuable insights into how TAS defines success in mathematics and offered practical strategies for supporting children’s math learning journey at home.

The event began with an interactive activity that encouraged parents to think critically about math problem-solving. Collaboratively, attendees tackled the “Twenty Divided Into Six” task, considering whether there might be more than one correct answer and exploring various strategies for approaching mathematical problems.

Defining Success in Math 

Ms. O’Gorman emphasized that success in math transcends memorization of facts and procedures. Instead, she highlighted the importance of cultivating a positive mindset and adaptive reasoning skills, noting, “Many students come to believe that success in math comes from memorization, which is exactly the wrong idea.” 

The session focused on the five components of mathematical proficiency: Adaptive Reasoning, Strategic Competence, Conceptual Understanding, Procedural Fluency, and Productive Disposition. Together, these elements form a comprehensive foundation, empowering students to approach math with confidence, adaptability, and enthusiasm.

Supporting Learning at Home 

Our parents and guardians left the event equipped with actionable strategies for fostering a love of math in their children. Ms. O’Gorman encouraged parents to integrate math into everyday activities, reinforcing the idea that “Games are to math as books are to reading.” She introduced resources for engaging math games and tasks that promote all five components of proficiency, helping students build skills through play and exploration. 

Attendees were also invited to ask questions at the end of the session. Here are some highlights from the Q&A:

Q: Can you share links to current research around math education? 

A: There is a section in the Math at TAS documents (included in this article) that provides links to articles related to current research in math education. It is not an exhaustive list, by any means, but it provides guidance about what the research shows. As new resources become available, they will be added to the Math at TAS documents. 

Q: Are the students expected to memorize multiplication or addition facts? 

A: Rote memorization is not effective for learning and retention. It is much more effective for students to apply number relationships to develop fluency and eventual mastery of basic math facts. Eventually, children either come to know the facts from memory, or they become so automatic at selecting and applying strategies that they can generate a response within a few seconds. If you would like to support your child in developing number relationships, the games and tasks in the Math at Home documents (included in this article) will support this development. 

Q: What are some strategies to help my child with their "conceptual understanding?" What can we do at home? 

A: The best way to support your child in math is to play games and complete math tasks like those found in the Math at TAS documents (included in this article). While working together, ask questions such as "What was your strategy?" and "How do you know that works? Does it work every time?" If your child is unable to explain why the strategy works mathematically, encourage them to use a different strategy and to ask their teacher for more information about why the first strategy works. 

Additional questions about the transition from Grade 5 to Grade 6—such as math placement, homework, and classroom expectations—will be addressed in a future article. Stay tuned!

Resources for Supporting Math at Home 

To support ongoing math learning at home, parents can access a wealth of resources tailored to each grade level, including: 

Lower School Parent & Guardian Math Workshop "Partnering for Math Success" Slides

Math at TAS - Grades 3-5

Math at TAS - Grades 1-2

Math at TAS - Grades KA-K

These resources offer easy-to-implement strategies to make math a natural part of daily conversations. By encouraging curiosity and viewing mistakes as learning opportunities, parents can help foster a positive math experience for their children. 

The "Partnering for Math Success" event underscored the important role that parents and guardians play in their children’s math journey. By understanding TAS’s approach to mathematical proficiency and embracing strategies that make learning math enjoyable and meaningful, families can reinforce the skills and attitudes that help students thrive. With these tools and resources, TAS is fostering a community where children can develop confidence, resilience, and a lifelong appreciation for math—both at school and at home!