In the last episode I discussed the origins of the Common Core and its pros and cons. But what if you are a parent or student living in the Common Core world today? I interviewed former high school math teacher Hemant Mehta, and we discussed practical strategies parents, students, and teachers can adopt in learning math. Among the questions we discussed were:

What do I do if I don’t understand the “new” way schools are teaching math to my child?

What is “number sense” and how can I help my child obtain it?

How do I form a constructive relationship with teachers?

What do math teachers wish parents knew about teaching and education?

What if my child is bored or the lessons are “too easy”?

What are Hemant’s thoughts on the Common Core standards? About standardized testing?

I hope you find Hemant’s advice as useful as I did! Interview recorded on December 2, 2015.

Hemant Mehta can be found here:

Friendly Atheist blog: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/

Friendly Atheist podcast: http://friendlyatheistpodcast.com/

The Atheist Voice YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheAtheistVoice

Twitter: @hemantmehta

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/friendlyatheist/

Hemant’s articles about viral math problems:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/10/21/why-would-a-math-teacher-punish-a-child-for-saying-5-x-3-15/

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2014/03/07/about-that-common-core-math-problem-making-the-rounds-on-facebook/

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2015/09/21/the-dad-who-wrote-a-check-using-common-core-math-doesnt-know-what-hes-talking-about/

Additional educational resources for parents and students:

Twitter hashtag: #mtbos

Videos and “tip sheets” made specifically for parents to support their children’s study of math

http://greatminds.net/parents

Achieve the Core is a non-profit that offers free tools to help educators understand and teach the Common Core standards

http://achievethecore.org/

A wealth of various practical resources to help students learn everything from “how to take notes” to lesson plans on “giving a speech.” Hosted by Oregon’s Department of Education.

http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=3907

A short and helpful big picture overview of the Common Core math standards

http://www.vox.com/2014/4/20/5625086/the-common-core-makes-simple-math-more-complicated-heres-why

The National PTA’s booklet, “A Parent’s Guide to Student Success”

http://www.pta.org/files/Common%20Core%20State%20Standards%20Resources/2013%20Guide%20Bundle_082213.pdf

My contact info:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/davidchang99

Whatjustpodcast.libsyn.com

Whatjustpodcast @ gmail . com

Twitter: @davidgchang

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