"Math Help!!"

Good parenting requires immersion in all aspects of your children’s lives, including their education. It’s important that parents know things like what classes their children are taking and who their instructors are. Being involved in your children’s education also encompasses helping them with homework.

Most parents have subjects in which they feel confident assisting their child. But, should questions be raised in unfamiliar areas, parents may feel guilty for not being able to lend a hand. I know I would be like a fish out of water if I were to help my son, Brennan, with math. My wife, however, is a Spanish and math instructor, so she would be able to help where I fall short.

For those who do not have a mathematician in the family, all hope is not lost. The Columbus Public Library recently added a new six-book series entitled “Making Math Easy.” This collection was written by Rebecca Wingard-Nelson and is geared for students in grades one through seven.

The first title in the series is called “Addition Made Easy.” In this book, concepts like “place value” and the “zero property” are simplified so children will understand.

In “Subtraction Made Easy,” children are introduced to concepts like how subtraction is used in everyday life. The book gives the reader an easy-to-follow breakdown on how various sets of numbers can be subtracted.

The multiplication table and other helpful devices are introduced in “Multiplication Made Easy.” The text then shows children simple processes they can use to multiply numbers like those with double digits.

In “Division Made Easy” ideas like why we divide and the differences between multiplication and division are easily explained. The book goes into great length mapping out processes students can use to divide various sets of numbers.

“Word Problems Made Easy” and “Fractions and Decimals Made Easy” are the last two books in this series. Students learn simple techniques for understanding what a word problem is actually looking for, and what specific mathematic functions are needed, to solve it. They will also learn important steps for adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying numbers with fractions and decimals.

This series is not just for children; it is also the perfect resource for parents to brush up on their math skills, so they will feel more confident when assisting their children with math homework.

So, the next time your child asks you for help with math homework, don’t run and hide under the coffee table. Make a bee-line to the Columbus Public Library to pick out one of the texts in the “Making Math Easy” series that would be ideal for solving your students math problem. If you have questions regarding any of the titles in this new math series or would like assistance in other subjects that your children may be taking, feel free to contact me at 564-7116 Opt. 4.