Tacoma Math

A shared community goal of changing the culture of mathematics in Tacoma. Explore, discover, enjoy, and celebrate the connections between math and the community around us.

Math Around Town

Made for families to start a mathematical conversation!

Teaching Early Math

Counting games are a great way to help early learners build and develop their skills at home. Use these cards to explore math concepts with your child, at any age, anywhere. Continue the conversation by asking your child to identify things around them by size, shape, and color.

Talking about Math

Share Your Thinking

When you describe how you approach a task, you are not only sharing your strategy, you are showing ways to problem solve. When you say, “I see a triangle there, so that makes me think about half of a rectangle…” you are helping children see HOW to think, not WHAT to think.

Embrace Mistakes

Ask any expert in any field and they will tell you that making mistakes help them become the achievers they are. Mistakes are opportunities to learn and refine our thinking. Show children that mistakes are ok and are even important for learning.

Focus on Thinking, Not Answers

Yes, answers are important, but let’s face it, in the modern world getting an answer is easy. What we need are creative thinkers in our world. Help nurture creative thinking by talking about thinking

Be Ready for Anything

Sometimes adults don’t have the answers. That’s ok! One of the best responses may be, “I’m not sure. Let’s figure it out together."

Share How You Use Math

Count things. Figure out change. Calculate how much time things take. When children see the adults they care about using math, they are inclined to try it too.

Be Mindful of Negative Messaging

“I’m not a math person" is a type of message that can unintentionally deflate confidence in a child’s ability to succeed at math. Try shifting to, “I try very hard at math,” or “I know I will get it if I work hard.”

Help Less

Sometimes adults can over-help with math. It’s ok for kids to come to a deeper understanding on their own. Think about the times when you have worked hard and achieved, and help others feel that same sense of accomplishment and confidence.

Enjoy

Be playful and have fun. Math is everywhere. Math is beautiful. Math is creative.