KENNETH JOHNSON FOUNDATION

Dear Parents,

Math is very useful in everyday life. Math can help us do many things that are important in our everyday lives. Here are some daily tasks for which math is important:

• Managing money $$$
• Balancing the checkbook
• Shopping for the best price
• Preparing food
• Figuring out distance, time and cost for travel
• Understanding loans for cars, trucks, homes, schooling or other purposes
• Understanding sports (being a player and team statistics)
• Playing music
• Baking
• Home decorating
• Sewing
• Gardening and landscaping

Parents can help teens connect math they learn in school and their everyday lives. As a parent, you could talk to your teen about how you use math in your daily life. You could also ask family members and friends how they use math in their daily lives. Please talk to your teens about these math connections to real world. Share with your child the examples of everyday math applications, which are listed below. When your teens hear how math can be used every day, they will be more likely to view math as important and valuable. They may also become more interested in mathematics. Remember that you as a parent can greatly influence how your child thinks about mathematics.