While our Wednesday Wonders are usually about the kids, this week I (Jenny) felt compelled to highlight and thank our staff who conducted the recent Singapore Math training. These teachers spent extra time, in addition to their regular responsibilities, to formulate and pull together presentations for SLOCA parents so that we can feel more confident when teaching math at home.
All the times SLOCA has offered a parent training, whether it was Math, Handwriting, IEW, or the History and Literature trainings we attend each trimester, I've noticed that there is a pattern of excellence. It’s a tall order to keep us parents informed and engaged, and I am always impressed by the quality of the presentations, and the amount of time and effort our teachers and staff put into them. As a mom who never originally intended to homeschool, and who was never a teacher, I place so much value in these trainings! I never feel like I’m on my own, trying to figure out the curriculum. Like many others here, I cannot even measure how grateful I am that I can count on the support SLOCA gives to us as home educators.
This recent training was no exception. I was mentally prepared for math tips, but I underestimated the degree to which our teachers would go to simplify the mysteries of Singapore Math for us. The sessions were divided by level, Primary through Upper Middle School. Several useful math manipulatives were distributed around the tables and we were shown how to use them. Teachers shared strategies, taught us math games, answered questions, and walked through word problems, modeling how they solve them in class. Each level built upon the previous, and those who were able to stay (late) for the remainder of the training were rewarded with seeing the product of our efforts – how even Algebra uses strategies from Singapore Math, and makes more sense when building from this foundation. A number of us bonded with math in new ways.
Even though my kids and I have been working with Singapore Math at SLOCA for a few years now, math was never my area of expertise. I learned a range of new tricks at this training and gained a deeper understanding of what we are already doing. My mind was more or less blown (as it has been on many occasions while learning Singapore strategies with my kids!) by some of the methods demonstrated, and I felt totally thankful that our school adopted this math program. In my experience, it has no equal. The other part of the event that factored into my enjoyment of this day was meeting new people!
I was able to take away a lot from this training: multiple new strategies, more manipulative and game ideas, pages of helpful notes and resources, and a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Why and How of Singapore Math. I was also reminded that my own learning increases the longer I do this, and even if I’m teaching a level that I’ve taught before, there’s such a difference between all three of my kids that I gain new insights with each one.
The array of information they had to share with us was greater than the length of the training, and the only negative was that we ran out of time. We really could have spent a whole day on the material!
So, let us offer an expression of enormous gratitude to this set of wonderful people:
- Lisa Ann Dillon – our Math Lead, who organized this event and presented on Intermediate math
- Jennifer Perneel – presented on Primary math
- Jennifer Wright and Wendy Rey – presented on Lower Middle School math
- Paige Bartel and Alanna LaBine – presented on Upper Middle School math (Pre-Algebra and Algebra)
- And all the staff and parents who prepared food, set up the tables, cleaned up, etc… you were an essential part of this equation!
To sum up, I am convinced that I would not be a fraction as prepared, knowledgeable, or confident in coaching and learning alongside my kids if we didn’t have these parent trainings. My kids (and yours!) are the ones who ultimately benefit from this added support and instruction. Math puns aside, Thank you SLOCA teachers and staff!!!
I guess in the end this Wednesday Wonder really is about the kids after all!
Parents, feel free to leave your own thoughts and thanks in the comments below…
