CENTER FOR FAMILY MATH WEBINAR TOOLKIT
Foster Joyful Math Learning:
Engage Families through Play-based Strategies
Thank you for joining our webinar with NAFSCE's Center for Family Math! Below, you'll find a curated toolkit of research-based resources designed to help educators and families make math learning joyful, engaging, and relevant.
📩 Want more resources like these? Complete the form below to learn how PowerMyLearning can support your school or district with Family Playlists and professional learning.
Play-Based Math Games
- Math Myths vs. Facts [Spanish]: Before you get started, mindset matters! Debunk common math myths and foster a strong, positive math mindset by showing that everyone can be a 'math person'! Pairing math games with positive messaging helps students gain confidence while they play.
- K-8 Math Games with a Deck of Cards: These easy-to-play card games for grades K-8 help strengthen key math skills while fostering a growth mindset. Each game outlines the skills being strengthened and the number of players needed.
Strengthen Math Discourse
- Six Guiding Questions: Help students deepen their understanding by flipping traditional roles and letting them be the teacher! These six guiding questions will help students explain their thinking, clarify ideas, and build math confidence during homework time.
- Learning by Teaching Family Math Prompts [Spanish]: For extra support, send home these prompts for families to guide a generative math conversation.
💡 Tip: If students get stuck, encourage them to use their notes, class resources, or online tools to find answers, just like real mathematicians do!
Connect Math to Daily Life
- Math is All Around Us: Invite your families to print and post this resource on their fridge! Discover math in everyday moments from cooking and shopping to games and traditions. Encourage joyful, everyday math learning that honors each family’s experiences, skills, and culture.
- Family Math Interview [Spanish]: Encourage students to interview a family member about how they use math in everyday life. This simple assignment sparks positive math conversations, reinforces real-world connections, and helps students build confidence in their own math skills.
Strengthening Relationships with Families
- Math Unit Introduction Newsletter Template [includes Spanish template]: Keep families informed and engaged. This template helps educators preview upcoming math topics, share key learning objectives, and suggest easy ways to extend math learning at home.
Create joyful math learning experiences with Family Playlists!
Family Playlists are our evidence-based K-2 math practice tool that incorporate many of the themes covered during the webinar. The play-based activities have proven impact on driving math and SEL outcomes.
✅ Translated into 140+ languages
✅ Strengthen math discourse and mindsets
✅ Helps students master grade-level content
See how Family Playlists are implemented in three steps using this first grade example.
Step 1
The teacher assigns an activity, such as ”Put Together Word Problems” from the Family Playlists platform.
Step 2
The family partner receives a text message in their preferred language, and opens the activity in any browser. The family partner and child complete the learning game.
Step 3
Then, the family partner records and submits a 1-2 minute video or audio file of the child answering a few prompts to explain what they learned from the game.