Maria Hammack, left, plays a math game with kindergartners Hilary Reiner and Reed Springer during Putting Parents in the Equation Wednesday. | Joy Haynes

Barkley Bridge Elementary has started implementing Putting Parents into the Equation each Wednesday to allow parents and students to interact with math games.

The idea came from the PTO as a way to allow parents to get more involved with learning and train parents in the current Common Core math curriculum. PTO president Leslie Johnson said she feels the program will help parents learn more about Common Core and understand its purpose.

“We want parents to see the different way of approaching math that Common Core teaches,” Johnson said. “I have taught higher education math and seen adults struggle with number sense, but these kids learning Common Core shouldn’t have the problems all of us, myself included, have had. It’s been a tough transition since it’s a different way of learning, but we think parents will embrace it more if they start to learn it themselves.”

Johnson said Common Core gives students a deeper understanding of math that goes beyond memorization.

“I was in graduate school before I really started understanding the reason behind the steps in algebra,” Johnson said. “I want my daughter to learn it early, so she’s not just following rules blindly. A deeper understanding will help them throughout life with their daily math skills.”

The PPE program has also been able to integrate technology into their learning. The students were able to use the teachers’ iPads to learn more about number logic Wed., Oct. 15. Johnson said they hope to raise money for more iPads and other technology.

“The parents seemed to really be surprised at how helpful the iPads could be in the session,” Johnson said. “They were vital with some visual games they played. We hope to get additional funding for more technology for STEM and Project Lead the Way.”

About 20 parents have volunteered to work with students for an hour each Wednesday. Two parents are assigned to a grade, and they work with groups of four students for 15 minutes each, playing math games provided by the teacher. The parent volunteers underwent a small training session to familiarize them with Common Core before starting.

Heather McIngvale, parent volunteer, said she didn’t volunteer initially because the thought of teaching math made her uneasy, even though she is an accountant.

“I didn’t sign up at first because I didn’t think I would be the best to teach this new system, but Leslie called me and I attended the information session,” McIngvale said. “I had seen negative comments about Common Core on Facebook, but I really didn’t know much about it. Since the math teachers explained the PPE program to us, I now see the reason behind the complicated-looking math. After learning just a little bit, I now see that I didn’t completely understand the math I had been doing- I was just following formulas.”

McIngvale said the training and the program changed her outlook on the math curriculum.

“Now that I’ve seen the students be able to progress in these sessions, I really feel like it’s working,” McIngvale said. “The training session really prepared me to help them and taught me a lot that I think all the parents need to know. I hope they will consider opening up that training to any parent who wants to know what it’s all about and be able to better work with their kids at home.”

Kelsey Hensley, right plays math games with kindergarteners, clockwise from her left, Marli Winchester, Reed Springer, parent volunteer Maria Hammack, Hilary Reiner and Michael Silver during Putting Parents in the Equation Wednesday. | Joy Haynes

Angela McMinemon, left, plays a math game with first graders Gauge Troupe and Rory Peebles Wednesday during Putting Parents in the Equation. | Joy Haynes