How can I work with the school to make sure my child gets the most out of math? Just like your child, schools need your support—especially in the middle school years. Since choice made in middle school determine high school courses that either increase or limit future eduation and career opportunities, your participation is critical.

One person that you should get to know is your child's math teacher. Working with you and your child, the teacher can help you decide how the best way forward for your child to learn mathematics. Let them know that you want to participate in making decisions. How do you begin? Ask questions. After all, you have a right to know. Find out if your child is getting the same opportunities in math as everyone else. Ask if a plan is already in place for your child's future math classes.
• What textbook and other materials will you use this year?
• How much homework can we expect?
• Is it okay if my child works with other students on homework?
• How should my child make up work after an absence?
• How do you determine grades?
• What graded work will be sent home?
• How often and when will you send home a formal report about my child?
• How do I schedule a parent-teacher conference?
• What, if any, standardized tests in math will my child take this year?
• What can I do to help you?
• What math classes are available?
• Do all students take the same math classes? If not, how are students placed in different classes?
• What's the next math class my child will take?
• Will this class prepare my child to take challenging math each year in high school?
• What math classes are offered in high school?
• What math classes will my child be ready to take in high school?
• How many students are in each math class?
• When are schedules made for the next year? How are families involved?
• What technology is available for students in math classes?
• What is the background and experience of the math teachers at our school?
• Does our school have a math club?

• When and how will I know if my child's having trouble? What should I do then?
• Is there any tutoring available before, during, or after school? on weekends?
• Do you offer help on a one-to-one basis or in a group setting? When?
• Is peer-tutoring available? If so, how does it work?
• Can you recommend any tutors outside of school?
• Where can we find more problems to use for practice?
• Are there resources listed in the text book or anywhere else that would help?
• Is there a Homework Hotline we can use?
• Do you know any math websites we can visit?
• Does our school offer programs for catching-up or enrichment?
• Does our school participate in any math competitions or contests?
• Do nearby colleges or universities offer any enrichment programs?

Pragmatic approach in learning

If you don't recognize the math in your child's homework, think about how the world has changed since you were in school. The math looks different because the world is different. For instances, the approach of using diagrams or models in solving problem sums is something new to me.

I felt embarrassed when my son asked me to help in a problem that required the use of the model approach. I told my son that I really had no idea in what he was talking about. He replied" Have you forgotten what you have learnt at primary school? Were you paying attention in class?"He was using some of my oft-comments about him on me. But I promised him to find out more about this approach and bring myself up to speed to do problem solving with him. I did that not because I thought I could do a better job than professional tutor. Rather, I was trying to involve myself in his learning activities to encourage him.He has his own tutor in mathematics.

There was a learning point for me in that episode. Advances in science, technology, information processing and communication, combined with the changing workplace, make it necessary for all students to learn more math. The parameters are changing. Basic skills, although important, are no longer enough. New approaches to learning are necessary. Business and industry demand workers who can solve real world problems explain their thinking to others identify and analyze trends from data, and use modern technology.

Instead of worksheets, your child may bring home problems to investigate that are related to real life tasks. These include working out the total cost of grocery shopping mentally. Figuring out the unit cost of items bought. Planning what to buy with a given budget etc.