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HELPING YOUR CHILD AT HOME WITH HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS

Parents often ask how they can help their child with mathematics at home. Here are some suggestions for what you can do to help your son or daughter be successful in mathematics at Palatine High School.

HAVE A POSITIVE ATTITUDE ABOUT MATHEMATICS

	Let your child know that you believe he or she can succeed in mathematics.
	Indicate that you think mathematical knowledge is important in opening doors to careers.
	Encourage persistence and diligence- time spent studying will bring positive results.
	Encourage your student to be an active learner in class by asking questions, working examples, and taking notes.
	If your child struggles in mathematics, do not reinforce a defeated attitude by blaming his/her struggles on genetics.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT MATHEMATICS AT PALATINE HIGH SCHOOL

	Work in math class consists of daily assignments (reading and problems), writing assignments, or projects.
	Each student's teacher will inform the student at the beginning of the school year what type of materials are necessary. Typically, the student will need a notebook or binder in which to take notes and do homework, pencils and a calculator are recommended for all classes and required for some.
	A Calculator Policy has been established indicating which type of calculator is needed for the course your son or daughter is taking.
	All of our classrooms are media rich. They include a computer, a document camera, a TI Presenter and a mounted projector.
	We have access to a wireless cluster of 16 computers that can be brought into the classrooms
	We offer a variety of courses which meet the differing needs of our students.
	We encourage all students to take as many mathematics courses as they can while in high school.

MAKE HOME A GOOD PLACE TO WORK

Your child will have one-half hour or more of daily mathematics homework, consisting of reading and problems. Take an active role in seeing that it is completed. There should be few nights when there is no mathematics homework assigned.

Often your child will have a calendar or syllabus for a chapter's work. Your knowledge of this calendar can help your child in planning to complete longer projects, turning in work on time, and studying for tests and quizzes.

Provide your child with a quiet, private place to study.

Even if you do not understand mathematics, you can help your child by asking questions like these:

	What do you know now?
	What do you need to find out?
	Have you seen a similar problem in your book or notes?
	How might you begin?
	How can you organize your information?
	Can you make a drawing for the problem?
	What do you need next?
	Is your solution reasonable?
	Can you convince me that your solution makes sense?

Give your child hints on how to study for a mathematics test:

	Carefully read through notes, corrected homework, and quizzes focusing on what was emphasized.
	Make a study sheet of main ideas and formulas.
	Read the chapter summary and work review problems.
	Encourage your child to form small, serious study groups for tests and exams.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS QUESTIONS

	Encourage getting help when needed. The first step is to make an appointment for extra help, with his/ her teacher during your child's free period, lunch, or before/ after school.
	Tell you child to use the Math Center. There, students can get the help they need, ask questions of a teacher, complete homework, and work with peers.

FAST FACTS ABOUT THE PALATINE HIGH SCHOOL MATH CENTER

	Located (on the 3rd floor) in the Math Office.
	Open during the school day. The schedule is located in your child's mathematics classroom.
	Staffed by the mathematics faculty. From Algebra through Calculus, your child's questions can be answered here.
	Computers are located there for student's use.
	Do not be concerned if your child's teacher is not free when your child can use the Math Center. Sometimes, hearing a different explanation from a new person makes all the difference in comprehension.
	Remember- Mathematics is not a spectator sport! Students learn by doing.

If you have a concern about your child, please speak to his/her mathematics teacher directly. The Palatine High School mathematics faculty wants your child to have a successful high school mathematical experience!

Palatine High School's mathematics office telephone numbers
(847) 755- 1741 & 755- 1742