Why Should Parents Be Involved?

It has been said that “parents are their children’s first teachers,” and educational research indicates that when parents actively involve themselves in their children’s academic learning, student achievement is enhanced. The National Parent Teacher Association reported in 1997 that one of the most accurate predictors of student academic progress is the extent to which parents (1) create a home environment that encourages learning; (2) communicate high, but reasonable, expectations for their children’s achievement and future careers; and (3) involve themselves in their children’s education at school and in the community.

Mathematics, science, and technology are vital in today’s society. Students need an ever-increasing knowledge base in mathematics and science and the related skills of logical reasoning, problem solving, and decision making in the current technologically oriented world. Parents who support and encourage their children’s educational efforts can play a major role in their children’s interest and knowledge in these areas.
How Can Parents Be Involved? To assist and support their children in the areas of science and mathematics, parents can do the following:

• Encourage curiosity, questioning, exploration, and investigation since these are the pathways to learning in mathematics and science. Ask open-ended questions that require close attention and stimulate imagination. Listen to the children’s ideas and explanations and guide them in finding facts to support their ideas or to consider alternatives.
• Be positive regardless of any difficulties or personal experiences you may have had with school mathematics and science. Help communicate the importance of these subjects and expect your children to be successful in these areas.
• Help children see the mathematics and science in the world around them. Point out how you use mathematics and science principles in your work or everyday activities.
• Discuss mathematics, science, and technology careers. Encourage your children to ask questions about the job requirements and educational preparation needed when they encounter relatives, neighbors, or friends who have mathematics or science related occupations.
• Involve your children in family activities and tasks that require mathematics and science, such as measuring and estimating the cost of new carpeting and the advantages and disadvantages of various carpet fibers; doing comparison shopping; choosing and caring for pets; selecting, planting, and growing flowers and vegetables best suited to your terrain, climate, and needs; the safety involving electrical appliances and circuits, and so on.
• Become familiar with national and/or state mathematics and science standards and how they are being used to guide teaching and learning in your children’s schools.
• Become familiar with the specific mathematics and science concepts and skills expected at various grade levels. Help guide your children in their selection of subjects at the middle and high school levels.
• Examine your children’s mathematics and science textbooks and materials so that you can show an interest in the topics, concepts, activities, and projects that your children will be experiencing.
  * Become familiar with some of the forms of assessment being used in mathematics and science instruction today, which may be different from the usual paper-and-pencil tests.
• If your children are having difficulties with mathematics and science, let the teacher and/or the guidance counselor know and ask how you can help resolve the problems.
• Volunteer at your children’s schools to assist with mathematics competitions, science fairs, field trips, and to schedule guest speakers.
• Take family field trips to informal educational sites such as mathematics and science centers, museums, zoos, libraries, and bookstores.
  * Watch and discuss with your children educational television programs that pertain to mathematics and science.
• Use the computer and the Internet with your children as learning tools to explore the many web sites that provide resources, information, and interesting facts related to mathematics and science.

Parent Resources

To assist and support their children in the areas of mathematics and science, parents can use resources such as the following:

Books/Magazines/Kits

Family Math, the Middle School Years. Algebraic Reasoning and Number Sense (Grades 5–8) by Thompson and Mayfield-Ingram

Ordering information: EQUALS Publications, University of California, Berkeley, Lawrence Hall of Science #5200, Berkeley, California 94720; Toll-free Telephone 1-800-897-5036; Fax: (510) 643-5757 ($19.95 per paperback activity book)

This book was written for parents of students in Grades 5–8 and is filled with fun, instructive, and non-threatening math activities for families. The activities are based on the national standards and integrate several math concepts rather than isolated skills. The book focuses on algebraic thinking and the development of number sense to prepare students for high school advanced mathematics. There is a parent advocacy chapter that provides a framework for families to make informed decisions about their children’s math future.

Family Science (Grades K–8) editors: Heil, Amorose, Gurnee, and Harrison; Portland State University

Ordering information: Foundation for Family Science, 6420 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 208, Portland, Oregon 97201; Telephone (503) 245-2102; Fax (503) 245-2628; Web site: http://www.familyscience.org ($23.95 per paperback activity book)

This activity book presents hands-on activities for families or small groups to enjoy together. The hands-on activities use inexpensive and readily available materials and highlight the relevance of science to daily life.

How to Encourage Girls in Math & Science: Strategies for Parents and Educators (Grades K–8) by Skolnick, Langbort, and Day

Ordering information: Dale Seymour Publications, 4350 Equity Drive, P.O. Box 2649, Columbus, Ohio 43216; Toll-free Telephone 1-800-231-3106; Fax: 1-800-393-3156; Web site: http://www.pearsonlearning.com ($14.50 per book)

This parent and educator guidebook examines effects of gender role socialization on girls’ skills, knowledge, and confidence in mathematics and science from early childhood to adolescence. The book presents a variety of educational strategies and activities designed to develop girls’ interest in pursuing careers in math and science, reduce anxiety, and promote independence and risk taking.

Science Fairs, Ideas and Activities (Grades 7–12)

Ordering information: World Book, Inc., 525 West Monroe Street, 20th Floor, Chicago, Illinois 60661; Toll-free Telephone: 1-800-975-3250; Web site: http://www.worldbook.com ($15.00 per hardcover book)

This book is useful for students, parents, and teachers to help students get the most out of their experiences with a science fair. The book includes a section on how to select and present a topic and even how to dress for the event. A description of the scientific method and a checklist to review prior to the science fair are included. Full-color photos help illustrate the projects.

Academic Competitions for Gifted Students: A Resource Book for Teachers and Parents (Grades K–12) by Tallent-Runnels and Candler-Lotven

Ordering information: Corwin Press, Inc., 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, California 91320; Toll-free Telephone: 1-800-417-2466; Web site: http://www.corwinpress.com ($29.95 per book)

Teachers and parents can use this book to find out about many academic competitions and tips for using competitions in a beneficial manner with gifted children of all ages. Criteria are provided for selecting academic competitions in light of students’ particular strengths and weaknesses. Ways to anticipate and avoid potential problems with competitions are identified and discussed. Competitions are indexed by content area, grade level, and title.

Every Child a Scientist: Achieving Scientific Literacy for All by Center for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Education Staff

Ordering information: National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Avenue, NW, Lock Box 285, Washington, D.C. 20055; Toll-free Telephone 1-800-624-8373 ($10.00 per book)

This booklet helps parents and other adults who want to take an active role in improving the science program in their children’s schools. The authors outline how the national science standards can help improve the quality of science education and suggest some ways to become a partner in improving science teaching and learning in schools.

Scientific American Explorations (magazine)

Ordering information: Scientific American Explorations, P.O. Box 2053, Harlan, Iowa 51593-4236; Fax 1-712-755-7118; Web site: http://www.explorations.org ($15.80 one year)

This hands-on magazine provides science information, experiments, activities, educational puzzles and games, and “how to” advice for parents and children, such as tips for purchasing a telescope.

Ultimate Science Kit (Grades 3–9) editor: Ryan

Ordering information: DK Publishing, Inc., Customer Service, 7800 Southland Boulevard #200, Orlando, Florida 32809; Toll-free Telephone 1-800-986-9921; Fax (407) 888-1879; Web site: http://www.dk.com ($49.95 per kit).

Designed for home use, this kit provides instructions and materials for a variety of physical science experiments. It includes a set of experiment cards, an illustrated instruction booklet, a scientist’s notebook, and a set of pressboard models. An electric circuit board, wires, and resistors; a prism, optical fibers, and iron filings; and a motor, magnets, and marbles are included in the equipment.

Internet

Helping Your Child Learn Math (Grades K–8)
This guide provides math activities appropriate for children in grades K–8.

Math in Daily Life
This web site explores how math principles can be helpful when following a recipe, decorating a home, or deciding whether to buy or lease an automobile.

Helping Your Child Learn Science (Grades K–8)
This guide provides science activities appropriate for children in grades K–8.

Scientific American Explorations
This web site features selected stories from Scientific American’s new quarterly magazine, which is designed to make learning about science and technology fun for the entire family. (See the previous magazine entry in this section.)

Real Science!
This site provides visitors with information about many science-related careers, including profiles of people working in the field and links to related resources. The site is associated with San Jose’s public television station KTEH, Real Science!

Virtual Tours
This web site contains links to more than 300 museums, exhibits, and points of special interest that offer multimedia guided tours, many of which are related to mathematics and science interests.

Science Adventures
This web site makes it easy to find informal science education centers throughout the United States that offer students, teachers, and parents the opportunity to participate in science education experiences.

The Virtual Library
The Virtual Library is run by a confederation of topic-area experts. It is recognized as one of the highest quality guides to specific sections of the Internet. The science category provides links to sites related to biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, science fairs, and others. The science category also includes a link to math-related topics.

700+ Great Sites for Children: Science and Technology (Grades Pre-K–9)
This web site is a large collection of children’s web sites for children and their parents. The web sites include links to online resources related to mathematics, computers and technology, general science, chemistry, physics, biology, and science experiments.

NCTM E-Standards Home Page
The national mathematics standards are available electronically.

National Science Education Standards
Information about the national science education standards is available.

Services

Ask Dr. Math
Ask Dr. Math is a question-answering service for K–12 students and their teachers and parents. The site includes a list of frequently asked questions, a searchable archive of previously asked questions, and many links to other math-related web sites.

The Math Forum
The Math Forum is an online community of students, parents, educators, researchers, and citizens who have an interest in math and math education. The site features online math resources by subject and grade level, information on new methods and issues in math education, and timely discussions of math education and associated source materials.

Scientific American: Ask the Experts
Ask the Experts features answers to readers’ questions about math, computers, astronomy, biology, chemistry, physics, and other topics related to mathematics, science, and technology.