Math Power: How to Help Your Child Love Math, Even If You Don't

by Patricia Clark Kenschaft

Any child can overcome the disadvantages of mediocre math teaching in school and parental math anxiety at home. Math Power offers easy-to-follow and concrete strategies for teaching math concepts. These lively techniques — including games, questions, conversations, and specific math activities — are suitable for children from preschool to age 10.
Author Patricia Clark Kenschaft maintains that rote learning and standardized testing weaken children's natural love of learning, and she shows how parents can effectively supplement students' math education. Her critically acclaimed guide is particularly valuable to homeschoolers, offering all parents the tools they need to help children achieve academic and real-world success.
"Should be required reading for all parents of elementary schoolchildren." — Max A. Sobel, former President, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
"I hope many parents will read this valuable book. It shows how parents can set positive switches in their kids that will help them enjoy mathematics both in school and out." — Henry Pollack, former President, Mathematical Association of America
Patricia Clark Kenschaft is professor emerita of mathematics at Montclair State University, where she was a professor of mathematics for thirty-two years. The mother of two grown children, Pat Kenschaft has taught mathematics to hundreds of elementary school children. She is the author or coauthor of five college mathematics textbooks, as well as the author of more than eighty published articles and the book Change Is Stories of Women and Minorities in Mathematics .

Genres: Mathematics, Parenting, Education, Teaching

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 24, 1997

Reviews

[Ashley Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book may have been better divided into separate books, since some of the content is directed towards parents and the rest of it towards educators (although, parents can still gain a lot from that as well, particularly if they want to promote change within their school district).

Despite being published over a decade ago, much of what is presented here about the state of math is still relevant today (aside from Common Core), particularly "Drill and Kill" and standardized testing. I could personally relate to her concept of the "fifth grade crisis", and even though anecdotal, I experienced a drop in math interest around that time (too much drilling, too much testing, and no advancement or acceleration). I found myself nodding along to most of what was shared and especially agree and support the concept of a school system that works for ALL children, regardless of level. Before I had read this book I have been tossing around an idea: what if school wasn't based on grades but instead presented in levels? Students would move at their own pace through those levels, regardless of age. The author seemed to present a similar idea.

The book also shares various tips for parents to incorporate math at home in a fun, more organic way, which is worthwhile in itself. Although many parents, or homeschoolers, may want to seek out other books and resources to help them generate more ideas (one of the appendices lists several resources, although I'm not sure which are updated).

My main issue with this book is the author's seeming issue with giftedness. Although she recommends utilizing gifted enrichment programs for children who aren't being fully served in school, she states that gifted programs in school should be cut. Except she doesn't seem to understand that many gifted and talented (or "highly capable") programs aren't actually doing an adequate job serving these students anyway. It is a common myth to assume that these students are "fine" and don't need extra support (and there is a distinction between bright and gifted, because of the latter's many social and emotional needs as well). However, I completely agree with the author that ALL children, of all abilities and levels, need equal learning opportunities, but how that looks will vary for every student or group of students. Is it possible in schools? Perhaps, with smaller classes, more support, better educator training, among other things (some of which are discussed in this book as well), and then if that were the case, perhaps gifted programming wouldn't be necessary.

With those caveats in mind, I would recommend this book to parents hoping to see math in a better light so they can share math more positively with their kids.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a book you can pick up and read in one sitting, and while written for parents, I would guess that many parents wouldn't read it all. But she raises a lot of good points, particularly about testing and the negative consequences of testing (and this was written BEFORE No Child Left Behind!). I appreciated that while she had plenty of criticism for public education, she tried to treat teachers fairly and point out the many difficulties of being a public school teacher. In addition, I really believe that in some areas we have made good progress...some of her complaints no longer seem true... (while others are still right on!) She also gives some good, concrete ways that parents of younger children (preschool-elementary) can really help their children gain math skills and help them see math as fun and engaging...which I think it is or can be!! I also really thought that she raised a good point when talking about math phobia/math incompetence. Almost no one would proudly state that they "never did learn to read" and yet in our society, it seems perfectly okay to say that you "never were any good at math" or "never did understand ______ (algebra/geometry/or whatever)." She also discussed how in nearly every other country in the world, if you ask people what it takes to be good in math, they talk about hard work and effort and determination. Here, a lot of people talk about having parents who were good at math, having good teachers, being "born" with the ability....people think it is based on genes and teaching rather than the child's hard work.

Wish I could photocopy her chapters on testing to give to my administrator/district officials/state legislators/national leaders/etc.

Wish I could copy her chapters on games/math work for preschoolers and children for all the parents of my students as well as all my friends that have young kids. It did give me what I think/hope is a good idea for this coming year at school...and has made me more cognizant of ways I can foster math in my own home. :)

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had techniques for teaching subraction and addition and multiplication. But you can find these in Ontario textbooks. It was for an American audience.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gave me a different perspective on how best to encourage my kids to enjoy math. Previously, I thought that having my kids to various math problems over & over until they were "comfortable" with it was the best method. The author instead touts giving kids much fewer, but more difficult problems - - and not with the intention that the kids should even get it right, but rather that they are intellectually curious enough to want to try to figure out a solution. Also, she encourages parents to "find math in the everyday." She compares having the kids solve real world math problems like having kids learn reading by reading tax forms. What child would be motivated by that?! I hope to take these lessons to heart and try to bring math into our everyday conversations without the threat of being wrong.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Every once in a while I purchase a book (sight unseen) and say....OH NO! This book will not create any love of math. The Font is too small, the printing is too light, and the text flip flops around. The only math that will be useful is how far you can throw this book. I, a lover of math, am very disappointed by the presentation. Skip this if you are already math shy.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful enough that I'm buying a copy.

[Kevin McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

20 years old so a little dated in spots but still a great read for parents and teacher's especially of young kids.