The Dog Ate My Homework: Recent Episodes
Melanie Doppler
Parents, this is the podcast you have been waiting for. Do you ever wonder why math looks so different from the way we learned it growing up? The Dog Ate My Homework answers this question and more. In this practical podcast, I break down what it means for your child to be proficient in elementary math and give easy-to-use tips and activities to support your child in getting there. Every episode includes tips to try right away with your child to support them with math homework, and math at home.
A quick episode to wrap up the first season of The Dog Ate My Homework podcast. In this episode we'll recap some of the highlights of season one, as well as preview a few ideas ahead for season two! For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Understanding decimals is one thing, but solving problems with addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of decimals is an even bigger challenge. In this episode, we dive into the many ways that children build problem-solving fluency with decimals, how they learn to check their work for accuracy and to make sure it makes sense, as well as ways that you can support your child with these concepts at home. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Decimals may seem brand new in fifth grade, but children have actually been building decimal understanding since kindergarten. Listen to this episode to help understand how your child learns and understands decimals, ways to help keep them organized in their work and learn ways to help your child tap into their previous knowledge to build understanding of decimals. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
In fourth grade, the numbers get larger and the story problems become more challenging. So how do you help your child maintain a growth mindset and positive attitude towards math so they can make sense of division problems and push past their frustrations? Listen to this episode to find out! For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Fourth graders learn not just how to solve multiplication problems, but how to be efficient problem solvers and critical thinkers as they choose the most efficient solution strategies as well. In this episode we dive into the nitty gritty of multiplication strategies that fourth graders use and go beyond just the standard algorithm. If you've ever felt like your child's multiplication homework looks like a foreign language to you because the strategies look so different from the way you learned growing up, then this is the episode for you! Tune in to learn about the strategies fourth graders use to problem solve, as well as some "subtle support" ideas for you to try at home to support your fourth grader's independent problem-solving skills. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Fourth grade multiplication builds directly on the skills learned in third grade. In this episode, we dive into the major shifts from third grade multiplication to fourth grade multiplication and discuss ways that you can support your child at home through these major shifts in problem solving. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Division doesn't have to be an intimidating new concept. In third grade, children learn to use what they already know to solve division problems, use visual and physical models and apply their multiplication understanding to make sense of division. In this episode, we dive into the division strategies that third graders use, and cover some at-home tips to try when supporting your child with division at home. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
So, if my child isn't using the standard algorithm to solve multiplication problems, then what strategies are they using? And how in the world do I help them remember those basic multiplication facts? In this episode, we will dive into third grade multiplication strategies within 100, talk about ways that children build fluency, and cover strategies, activities and games to try at home to support your child with homework and with building multiplication fluency! For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
A big focus of third grade math is learning how to multiply (and divide). In this episode, we will dive in to how children build multiplication understanding, not just in third grade, but in fourth grade as well, and we'll talk about why it looks so different from the standard algorithm method that we all learned growing up. Tune into this episode for an overview of how children learn to multiply, so that you can fully understand the multiplication strategies mentioned in Episode #16. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Subtraction of larger numbers is a challenging new concept, especially when regrouping is involved. But if second graders use what they learned in kindergarten and first grade to support their understanding, and use efficient strategies for problem solving, then they can absolutely be successful at second grade subtraction! Listen to this episode to learn about how your second grader builds subtraction understanding, and what you can do at home to support them with homework and more! For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Why is my child drawing so many pictures to problem solve, when they could just use the standard algorithm? This math looks so different from the way we learned it growing up. Your child learned about the base ten number system in kindergarten and first grade, but now in second grade, it is really time for them to apply this understanding to problem solving. In this episode, you'll learn how second graders learn to add with larger numbers, why it looks so different from the way we learned it growing up and what you can do at home to support them with homework, and building math understanding of these concepts. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
How can we support our first graders in understanding and building fluency with subtraction? In this episode, we dive into the many strategies that first graders use for subtraction, including some that make subtraction a bit more 'friendly,' like using addition to support subtraction problem solving! Listen to this episode to learn about how your first grader learns subtraction, as well as what you can do at home to support them as they build understanding. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
First grade math isn't just about adding and subtracting within 10 and 20. First graders also learn important skills that build the foundation of understanding of our base ten number system. They not only learn the meaning of the digits in two- and three-digit numbers, but learn how to add these larger numbers as well. In this episode, we'll dive in to the idea of adding larger numbers, as well as cover how you, the parent/guardian, can support your child as they build this new understanding. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
First grade math is like the fuel that powers your child's jet engine for math as they continue learning in elementary math and beyond. Developing a deep understanding of addition concepts and building addition fluency is key to your child's success in building understanding of operations with larger numbers. So what can you do as the parent/guardian to support your child at this critical time in their math journey? Listen to this episode for information about how your child learns to add within 20, and ways you can support them at home, not just on homework but as they build understanding of math in the world around them. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
If you listened to episodes 7 & 8, then this is a good episode for you. I covered a LOT of information in the first two Kindergarten episodes, so it may be difficult to decide, "so where do I start?" In this episode, I briefly overview some of the key points from episodes 7 & 8 and then outline some "next-steps" for where you can start supporting your child with math at home. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Subtraction can be tricky for Kindergartners. This is the first time they are learning this new concept, and our brains are naturally wired to think more about addition--we want more stickers, we don't want to give our stickers away, right? In this episode, I break down some of the ways that children learn about subtraction for the first time in Kindergarten, how they build subtraction fluency, and what you as the parent/guardian can do at home to support your child in building subtraction understanding. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
If your child is in Kindergarten, or will be in Kindergarten soon, or needs support with Kindergarten addition concepts, then this is the episode for you! In this episode, I break down some of the most important skills that your Kindergartener needs to know when they are learning addition. With every skill, I discuss games and activities you can play with your child at home to keep them learning but also having FUN as you reinforce addition concepts at home. Your Kindergartner may not have actual math homework yet, but there are so many things you can do at home to foster their love of math and their understanding of math concepts. Listen to this episode to learn more! For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
If you don't have time to listen to any other episodes, then I recommend listening to this one! In this episode, I break down the three common areas where your child may need more support in math, and give easy-to-use activities to try at home right away to support your child. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
In this episode, we go beyond the typical response of "I just know the answer," to help our children make meaningful mathematical connections. I will explain the many different ways that children can show their work, why this is important, and what you as a parent/guardian can do to facilitate and encourage your child to actually show their work. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Why is math so different from the way we learned it growing up? These new math standards make it so hard for me to help my child with their math homework! Why is my child drawing so many pictures and diagrams when they could just use the standard algorithm? If you've ever wondered why this "new math" is so different from the way we were taught, and this leaves you wondering how to help your child with math homework, then this is the episode for you! In this episode, I break down these "new math standards," what they are, how they were developed, why they are so important for your child's growth as a mathematician, and how you as a parent/guardian can make sense of them. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Does being mathematically proficient mean always getting the right answer? Why is my child being asked to try so many different strategies? My child knows how to solve the problem but they are having trouble with word problems, what can I do to help? These questions answered and tips to try with your child today in this episode about the 5 Strands of Mathematical Proficiency! For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
What do I need to do to help my child be successful with math homework? How to I create an environment that is conducive to them doing their best work on homework? These questions will be answered in this episode, and more! This episode gives easy-to-implement tips on setting your child up for success on math homework. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Do you want to help your child have a more positive attitude towards math? Then this episode is a must-listen! In this episode, you will learn some quick and easy steps that you can take today to help your child have a more positive attitude towards their math homework, build a growth mindset and ultimately, view themselves as a mathematician. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com
Why in the world does my child's math homework look so different from the way I learned math growing up? The goal of this podcast, is to answer that question. This is a practical podcast to help parents and guardians support their children with math at home. In this episode, you will learn about how this podcast got started and what to expect from Season 1 of The Dog Ate My Homework. For more information, ideas and listening guides, visit my website: www.mathcoachconnection.com