Maths at Home

During these strange and unpredictable  times, children are being taught via the internet by their schools.  Whilst everyone knows that this can be challenging, I would like to acknowledge all the teachers out there who are trying their absolute best to deliver an education for your child(ren).  Many teachers do not have the first clue about the tech they are suddenly being asked to use; many are getting it wrong and many are getting it right, but without their efforts and perseverance children would not be having ‘school’ at all.                           

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Whilst teachers ‘deliver’ as best they can I also hear how utterly frustrating it is for parents, many of whom also struggle with the technology, continual printing, scanning, failed internet connections and trying to engage their children, some who are also trying to work from home and ensure their child gets an education.

There are no simple answers to this, but I would like to offer some advice.

While I was at school I hated maths.  I had terrible teachers and I simply did not understand why we should bother with it or why it was important. This goes for many children I have taught over the years.  Children rarely see maths in the real world, beyond the classroom.  To them it’s tables tests and assessments, games in the classrooms or work to complete in their books.

There are opportunities for maths to be brought to life. Maths is all around us; show your children. We use it every single day without thinking; show them how you do this.

For younger children you could ask them what time it is when they wake up; extend this to asking how long it takes to get dressed and what time it will be once they are ready for breakfast.  Time is constantly being taught in your house without you knowing.  Ask your child what time their favourite TV show Is on, and how long it lasts for.  You could then ask them how long it is from their show ending until bed time. 

Maths is most apparent in the kitchen.  Bringing maths to real life here is fantastic.  Weighing and measuring is a vital part of maths, but so are conversions for the older kids, so if something needs to be weighed at 1.45kg, how about asking your child to convert this to grams.  Again, time is important when it comes to cooking, and for the older children ratio can be taught.  Eg 2.5kg of chicken needs to be cooked at 45mins per kg, how long does the whole chicken need?  You  are now implementing ratio teaching!

These are unprecedented times, and your teachers and schools are working really hard to make this work for all parties, but in the meantime, don’t panic about the curriculum, that’s not your job, but do try and bring subjects like maths to life so that your children have a good foundation for life in the real world.

 

Rob Holmeschildren are being taught via the internet, Home schooling, best to deliver an education, Whilst teachers ‘deliver’ as best they can, frustrating it is for parents, struggle with the technology, continual printing, scanning, failed internet connections, engage their children, no simple answers, see maths in the real world, beyond the classroom, maths to be brought to life, Maths is all around us, every single day without thinking, what time it is when they wake up, Bringing maths to real life here is fantastic, Weighing and measuring is a vital part of maths, Cooking times - ratio can be taught, good foundation for life in the real world.