FAMILY MATH

Family Math is an after school family involvement program that provides elementary school children and their parents with opportunities to develop problem solving skills and understanding of mathematical concepts in an enjoyable, nonthreatening atmosphere.

Children and adults come together once a week for six weeks to do mathematics, and then practice at home ideas they learn in class. Using inexpensive hands-on manipulatives such as beans, toothpicks, and coins, children gain a concrete understanding of space and numbers, develop problem solving strategies, and become more confident and willing to tackle new problems. The focus is on the process of mathematics, as well as getting the right answer.

All Family Math activities reinforce the NCTM Standards and the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in mathematics. The content of FAMILY MATH classes are based on the school mathematics curriculum and represent all content areas:

• Arithmetic, numbers and operations
• Geometry
• Measurement
• Probability and statistics
• Calculators and computers
• Patterns, relations and functions
• Logical thinking

Goals

To build confidence and competence in mathematics by:

• providing hands-on experience in a fun, supportive environment;
• creating positive attitudes towards mathematics;
• building problem-solving strategies that reduce frustration and increase the willingness to accept new challenges.

To create partnerships between home and school by:

• reinforcing the school curriculum as well as state and national standards;
• making time for families to learn and work together;
• increasing positive dialogue between teachers and parents.

To motivate students to continue studying mathematics by:

• building awareness of the need for mathematics in life and work;
• introducing families to career options and role models;
• encouraging mathematical literacy for everyone, especially females and minorities.

Three-Day Training Workshops

Three days of FAMILY MATH training prepares educators to establish and conduct FAMILY MATH classes at their schools. The training workshops provide 18 hours of professional development. The Center for Family Involvement in Schools and the Rutgers Center for Mathematics, Science, and Computer Education, which sponsor the training workshops, are registered as professional development providers with the New Jersey Department of Education.

The workshop fee is $1,150 for a team of two, ^* $585 per person (see below regarding single registrations), and includes the following:

• hands-on training and practice in specially designed mathematics activities for use with children and parents;

• specific connections to the NCTM and the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards in mathematics;

• career activities that demonstrate the importance of mathematics to all children's futures;

• information and planning time to organize FAMILY MATH courses;

• FAMILY MATH book, openers, and other resources (available in English or Spanish);

• on-going technical assistance;

• breakfast and lunch each day.

^* We strongly recommend that Family Math Programs be administered by teams of two. Single registrations will be accepted on the basis of replacing team members in existing programs or completing teams when two cannot attend the same session.

The Family Math program was created by EQUALS, Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, and is presently being implemented in over 60 sites in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Central America and Korea.

FAMILY MATH training meets requirements for Title I, Title II, Title VII, NJ Statewide Systemic Initiative, Goals 2000 and Eisenhower funding.

FAMILY MATH is a professional development activity endorsed by both the NJEA Professional Development Institute and NJ Statewide Systemic Initiative.