1. Math Café Alex Munro January 29, 2009

2. Math is Everywhere Have you done any math in the last 2 hours prior to arriving for the math café?

3. Math Processes In the math curriculum, there are 7 math processes that are integrated into the math program. Although I will discuss each of them separately, they are in reality, intertwined and interconnected.

4. Communication communicate in order to learn and express their understanding You can help your children develop this math process by: Asking them to share their thinking as they solve math problems Sharing your thinking as you engage in math Ensuring that you and your children use math terminology when discussing strategies

5. Connections connect mathematical ideas to other concepts in mathematics, to everyday experiences and to other disciplines You can help your children develop this math process by: Pointing out math ideas in your daily life Pointing out math concepts during extra-curricular activities Pointing out math ideas in other subjects

6. Problem Solving develop and apply new mathematical knowledge through problem solving You can help your children develop this math process by: Sharing math problems that arise at home and encouraging your children to solve them with or for you Encouraging them to solve problems in more than one way

7. Visualization develop visualization skills to assist in processing information, making connections and solving problems. You can help your children develop this math process by: Using drawings and diagrams to solve problems Encouraging them to use diagrams when solving problems Pointing out math in pictures and diagrams

8. Mental Math and Estimating demonstrate fluency with mental mathematics and estimation You can help your children develop this math process by: Encouraging them to use friendly numbers when doing math Asking them to prove to you that their answers are reasonable

9. Technology select and use technologies as tools for learning and for solving problems You can help your children develop this math process by: Providing calculators for working with larger numbers or to check answers Showing them that you also use calculators when doing math

10. Reasoning develop mathematical reasoning You can help your children develop this math process by: Encouraging them to solve problems in more than one way Asking them how they know their answer is correct Explaining how you solve math problems and then asking them if they have another method that would work

11. Math is Everywhere In light of these discussions, what are some examples of how you use math processes during a regular day? How can you engage your children in discussions about math?