In ITEM: Family and Home Connections, teachers will build communication between home and school using technology to meet a major goal of Everyday Mathematics. ITEM will teach educators how to build an easy website to post classroom activities and assignments, share information with parents, and display family math activities. Educators will build websites using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher or free, online programs such as Filamentality (www.filamentality.com). Participants will also discuss and practice other means of communicating information to parents. Web logging, a form of online journaling, or class newsletters created in Microsoft Publisher will be explored.

Activity:

Introductions and Overview of the Workshop

Discussion of Everyday Mathematics Curriculum

Discussion of the Role of Family and Home Connections for Everyday Mathematics

• www.math.com/parents/articles/domath.html
  Doing Mathematics with your Child
• http://education.ti.com/downloads/pdf/us/fmlymath.pdf
  Uncovering Math with Your Family
• www.rci.rutgers.edu/~cfis/
  Center for Family Involvement in Schools
• www.techteachers.com/mathweb/familymath/
  Family Math Night Resources
• www.buddyproject.org/resources/family/math/default.asp
  Family Math (Using MS Works, MS, Word, and ClarisWorks)
• http://math.about.com/library/weekly/aa100403a.htm?terms=math
  Math Starts at Home

Websites are great ways to communicate with parents and connect with the community.

• Explore web logs and other online resources for communicating with parents.
• www.teachnology.org/stories/storyReader$150
• Visit the ITEM blog ~ www.schoolblogs.com/item

Continue exploration of web logs

Discuss other means of communicating information to parents. Create a flyer or brochure in Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher

Learn how to build an easy website to post classroom activities and assignments.

Explore Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher or free, online programs such as Filamentality (www.filamentality.com).

Close with sharing, brainstorming and collaboration about making family and home connections in the Everyday Mathematics curriculum

The ITEM Certificate has been developed by the Southern Regional Institute and ETTC through an NJSSI Specialty grant. All rights are reserved. This notice must accompany all documentation for ITEM professional development.