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Community Corner

The New Language of Math

When did Math and Foreign Language become the same subject?

I used to do well in math. I have a distant memory of getting As in elementary school through high school. But that was a long time ago, before two plus two stopped equaling four.

It starts innocently enough. I’ll be making dinner, humming James Taylor, minding my own business, when I hear it. The eight words that bring instant alarm and dread to my gut.

“Mom, I need help with my math homework.”

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How hard can fifth grade math be? I can do this. I stride determinedly to the dining room table, sit down and read the directions on the lab sheet. I’m already ready to admit defeat. I might as well be looking at assembly directions to an armoire from IKEA.

I glance at the first problem. It looks familiar; I remember how to do this. Things are looking up. I grab the pencil, do the calculation, and triumphantly show my son the answer. Hero mom.

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He looks at me as if I’ve grown two heads, which, in truth, is a look I get more and more with each developing hormone.

What follows is an honest to goodness conversation we have repeatedly in my household. It is not, I repeat, not, made up for anyone’s enjoyment. Because, really, no one finds enjoyment in this.

Mom: Here is the answer to problem one.
Son:  I know the answer, Mom, that’s not the question.
Mom: Huh? What do you mean?
Son: I don’t know.
Mom: Well, this is the answer. I’ll show you again how to do it.
Son: You don’t know, Mom. You didn’t do it right.
Mom: Yes, I did. This is the correct answer, right here. Why aren’t you writing it down?
Son: That’s not how we did it in class.
Mom: How did you do it in class?
Son: I don’t know.
Mom: (Deep breath)
Son: We have to show our work.
Mom: I did show the work. It’s right here. Here it is. Write it down.
Son: You don’t know, Mom. That’s not how it looked in class.
Mom: How did it look in class?
Son: I don’t know.

One exceedingly frustrating hour later it’s clear. He doesn't know and I most certainly don't know. And dinner is overcooked.

When I met with my son’s teacher, I discovered there were many parents whose evenings ran parallel to mine. She offered me several options for support (for both my son and myself), including her own time, which I found extremely generous.

My friends who are math educators tell me the most important exercise is to
become familiar with the math vocabulary located in the back of most math
texts. Because, guess what? Math literally IS a different language, and the
first step to learning a new language is to learn the vocab, which is much
different than it was back when I was busy memorizing times tables.

So this week’s questions goes out to parents AND educators. What advice can you give to bridge the gap between parents and students when it comes to today’s math? What assistance do the schools provide? What Brookline resources (schools, classes, tutoring, math clubs etc.) exist to help students who struggle with math, or excelling students move forward at a faster pace? What tips can you give students to strengthen their math skills?

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