What Scares Students and Parents This Time of Year? No, Not Spiders, Witches, or Ghouls; It’s Algebra

A recent survey by Kelton Research, conducted for Sylvan Learning, finds that most eighth and ninth graders consider Algebra to be their toughest – scariest – subject. Their parents share the same algebra anxiety. A staggering 97 percent of parents feel more prepared to talk with their children about drug and alcohol use than to help them tackle their algebra homework. Those facts are scary.

The new survey underscores how ill-equipped most adults feel to help their children with algebra, which is often introduced in middle school. The survey finds that one third of middle-school students say they are willing to give up video gaming and Facebook for a month if it means they’d never have to solve another polynomial equation. Parents feel just as lost. More than seven in 10 parents polled feel that helping their kids with algebra homework is harder than teaching them to drive a car.
The nationwide survey of eighth and ninth grade students and their parents was conducted between August 1 and August 8, 2011 by Kelton Research, commissioned by Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring and supplemental education services to students of all ages and skill levels.

“Algebra is crucial to every student’s success, especially in technology dependant 21st century professions. Mastering algebraic concepts inherently leads to success in high school mathematics and eventual success in college and career. Our children’s future depends on the mastery of these essential skills,” says Judy Ann Brown, director of Mathematics for Sylvan Learning.

The question most parents ask: How can I help make algebra less scary for my child?

Every child learns algebra differently and these skills build over time. One of the most important considerations for student success in algebra is their readiness. In this process, the first step is to identify the student’s algebra proficiency and understand if any skills require improvement. Identifying student misconceptions, challenges, and struggles earlier can help parents and teachers better understand the kind of support the student needs to succeed.

Parents who are concerned—or curious—about how prepared their child may be for algebra can take matters into their own hands by screening their child’s readiness through Sylvan’s Fit 4 Algebra website. “Fit 4 Algebra: Take the Algebra Fitness Challenge,” is a free, interactive online “screener” that parents can use to check their children’s algebra readiness. The 21-question check-up is built on the key skills identified by the National Mathematics Advisory Panel as providing the basic foundation for algebra.

After their child completes the screener, parents will be able to review their child’s results which highlight areas of strength as well as areas that are in need of further skill development. Additionally, parents will have immediate access to valuable, free resources, including interactive tutorials to help with homework, online math challenges and entertaining educational games. The parent resources section also includes tips on helping children succeed in math, links to algebra smart phone apps and information on finding personalized help.

As parents embark on this journey to help their child with algebra, here are five tips to help middle-school students overcome algebra fears:

Strengthen Core Skills – Algebra matters because algebra skills build in time. Miss one component and you will continue to have difficulties with algebra, as well as other higher-level math courses. As a parent, challenge your child to become a better problem solver. If the student is struggling in algebra, talk to the child’s math teacher to learn about extra help and search online for other available resources.

Leverage Technology – Technology should support algebra instruction. Today’s "Net Gen" students find technology-infused instruction especially engaging and can help them to gain an understanding of the underlying reasoning and computations used in problem-solving.

Instill Algebra Confidence in Your Child - Praise not only your child’s academic progress, but also the effort that he or she extends to learn new concepts. Tell them that you are proud of their algebra progress even when they struggle. When students are confident in their abilities, they enjoy learning. That love of learning leads to a willingness to try new academic experiences without fear of failing.

Make Real-world Connections – We use math and algebra in everyday lives. There are many opportunities for parents to make algebra connections in day-to-day life – and help students. Analytical thinking for daily tasks or decisions essentially means using the fundamentals of algebra. Think of tasks that you do every day that can be "teachable algebra moments."

Encourage Your Child to Take Higher Level Mathematics– Early and Often - Many students don’t take mathematics classes beyond their school’s minimum requirements, but algebra and other higher level mathematics courses offers critical learning skills that are needed throughout life. Children should take algebra early in their educational careers if and only if they are academically ready. Students who do not take courses covering algebraic concepts early risk missing important opportunities for growth. By the end of junior and senior years, students who have not planned ahead have fewer class options and may not be able to complete all college prerequisite courses. This can restrict a student’s post-secondary educational options and career choices.

Avoiding Report Card Surprise

In the next few weeks, schools will begin sending home the dreaded "First Report Card."

The first report card of the year can create feelings of pride, happiness and excitement for many parents. It can also produce feelings of anxiety and frustration for those who are surprised by their child’s grades. However, effective and continuous communication among teachers, parents and students can help minimize the “report card surprise.”

Report cards are part of every child’s academic experience, and don’t need to be a surprise to parents. If a parent is surprised by a “poor” report card, it often means that they haven’t been effectively communicating with their child or their child’s teacher throughout the school year. Maintaining open and continuous lines of communication with children and teachers throughout the school year, and not just when report cards are issued, will help parents stay informed about their child’s progress and help them avoid the report card surprise.

Students who are surprised by their own report cards also need to improve their communication and organization patterns. A student who surprisingly receives a “D” or a failing grade on his report card learns the hard way that he needs to regularly talk with his teachers and stay on top of school work, homework and test results. Students should never be surprised by their report card grades.

Organization is an essential part of a student’s education. By tracking test scores and all other assignments throughout the year and speaking regularly with teachers and parents, students are prepared for their grades come report card time, and can work to improve their performance prior to report cards.

It shouldn’t take a surprise report card for parents and teachers to communicate effectively. Sylvan Learning, the leading provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels, offers the following advice to help parents maintain clear communications with their children and teachers:

Tips for Talking To Children
• Talk about school every day. Make it a regular part of the family’s routine.
• Don’t wait until report cards are issued to talk about school and grades. Frequently discuss with her how she is doing in each subject and what grade she anticipates receiving.
• Encourage your child to tell you about his day. Find out what he learned and what are his favorite activities.
• Teach your child that education is important to your family.
• Discuss goals and objectives for the school year. This may be a great way to learn about difficulties your child is having in specific subject areas.
• If your child is having trouble in school, talk about a method to help organize her schedule, subjects and activities. A calendar can be a great way to track tests, homework, activities and study plans.
• Talk with your child about his extracurricular activities, such as team sports or after-school jobs. Being overscheduled may affect his grades.
• Set improvement goals for your child. This will help her work towards an attainable grade for each class.
• Talk with your child about his study habits and develop a study plan. Set aside specific time for studying, projects and activities each evening and make sure that he has a properly equipped and well-lit area to work.
• Communicate with your child about her school experiences. Know what she is thinking and feeling. Also, openly talk with her about her worries and concerns as well as her joys and achievements.

Tips for Talking to Teachers
• Develop a parent/teacher relationship with your child’s teacher and talk with this teacher at least once a month throughout the year. Remember that your child’s teacher has direct contact with your child every school day and can offer invaluable insight into your child’s day.
• Your child’s teacher can benefit from background information about him – talk about activities he likes, special needs, close friends, motivation and things going on at home.
• Find out what the teacher’s expectations are for the year and what type of curriculum he or she has set for the students. Have this insight at the start of school and keep track of it throughout the year.
• Talk to the teacher about any major programs or activities that are set for the year. Is there an annual science fair? A field trip schedule? Major papers? Tests?
• Remember – teachers are busy people, too. Find out the easiest way to communicate – by email, phone or in-person. Finding the right communication method will make it easier to speak on a regular basis.

Celebrate National Book Month!

October is National Book Month! This is the perfect time to honor books and what could be better than reading together as a family. A loving routine at the end of the day that allows parents and kids to make bedtime a special time, to share favorite stories and books, to talk, and be together is a wonderful opportunity to spend some quality time with your children.

Parents, here are a few tips to help you get started.

Start small.
Remember, big journeys start with one step.

Take turns reading.
One night you read, the next your child reads. Or switch reading every couple of paragraphs or pages.

Read with expression.
Let the stories come to life. Encourage kids to read with lively expression. Let them see the excitement books contain.

Choose compelling books.
Let your child select some books and perhaps choose some yourself. Recommend some of your favorites from when you were a child.

Celebrate.
When you’re done with a book, write its title and author on a link in a construction paper chain and festoon the walls with your accomplishments. Draw pictures of your favorite characters.

Make an audio book.
Tape yourselves reading. Send the recording to Grandma, who will swoon. Recording can also be your “substitute” if you have to be away for a night – although nothing is as good as your presence.

Get ideas from other parents.
What are they reading in their homes? What books and stories are other kids interested in? What recommendations can you give to and get from other parents?

Get ideas from teachers.
What types of books are popular at school? What books would supplement what teachers are teaching in social studies, art, or science classes? What do the reading teacher and librarian suggest?

The nice thing about routines is that once they’re started they become a part of your life, comforting and safe.