10 Tips to Having Math Success
Being successful with math isn’t always the easiest. Math can be overwhelming to some students. Luckily, math is the kind of language that always has an answer. If a new unit begins and students are still struggling to understand the concepts from the previous one, it becomes easy to fall behind. Math isn’t an inherited skill, it’s a subject that students either quickly grasp or something that they’ll need a little extra hand with.
Math scores have been down across the board due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One education research organization predicts that the average student lost 57 to 183 days of learning in reading and from 136 to 232 days of learning in math just during the spring of 2020. There have been many learning losses due to the pandemic. Read about it here.
These tips can help students strengthen their math comprehension, develop strong math skills, and avoid falling behind in math class.
10 Tips to Help Students With Math
1. Doing Math Homework
Obvious, right? Even if a student understands a concept/skill clearly, doing all the assigned homework can help make the concept cement in the student’s brain.
Imagine the questions as practice test questions: complete them correctly during homework, and the student is more likely to complete them correctly during a test. Check out this article with five tips on simplifying math homework.
2. Know the Math Textbook
Since math is cumulative, the textbook is a chronological guide to what is coming up next. Review chapters before entering class to help prep the student’s brain for the new lesson and get a head start on seeing how new material connects to previous material.
3. Ask in Class
If a student feels that a new concept is harder to wrap their head around, ask for clarification in class. Not speaking up, then finding out that a student can’t complete the homework because something is confusing.
While in class, listen to other students’ questions, as they may help them understand their own or offer to complete questions on the board even if they’re unsure what they are doing. Practice makes perfect.
4. Understand the Method & the Process
Knowing formulas is important, but a student can’t be successful if they don’t know how or when to use them. Take the time to understand the formulas’ principles to understand math concepts truly.
5. Prime the Brain
Math is easier if a student’s brain is ready for it. Do a few fun brain teasers before sitting down to complete homework or study for a test to get their brain in the math mood.
6. Practice, Practice, Practice
If a concept is still a bit fuzzy even after the student has completed their homework, find some additional practice questions online. It is important to not only complete questions until they get the right answer, but until they understand how they got the right answer.
7. Don’t Stress
If a student is struggling with a question or concept, set it aside, take a break, and return to it later. If they’re still having difficulties, call up a classmate or ask a family member for help. Look online. If no one can help out, make a note of the problem and wait to ask their teacher the next day. Struggling with a problem that no one can answer will only increase frustration and cause unnecessary stress.
8. Slow Down
Completing work in class or finishing a test is not a race. Take time to understand, complete, and double-check their work. Taking time also lessens any chances of making silly mistakes or scribbling un legible answers.
9. Analyze Any Errors
When homework and tests are returned to the student, take the time to go over the wrong answers. Figure out where they went wrong and do a few practice questions to get the correct method locked in their brain. Ask the teacher if they need help figuring out their missteps.
10. Exercise Before Homework
Studies show that light exercise increases blood flow and improves mental clarity and the ability to concentrate, which is exactly the state a student wants their brain in before doing homework. So, go for a walk before hitting the books and can maximize your headspace and homework efforts. Check out this article on the benefits of exercising before doing homework.
Contact your local centre today to learn more about how Oxford Learning can help your child to develop strong math skills. and get the most out of their education!
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