Understanding Math Learning Gaps

At Mathnasium of Littleton in addition to helping advanced students stay engaged and keep ahead, we address math learning gaps. This article explains what learning gaps are and what can be done about them.

What is a learning gap?
A math learning gap refers to any math skill that a student should have previously mastered, but didn’t. Examples of learning gaps include a fifth grader who didn’t learn what the numerator in a fraction means, or a tenth grader who doesn’t know when the communitive property applies in algebra. It could be a fourth grade student who still uses ones as their primary method for adding and subtracting numbers (fingers, dots, tally marks, in their head).

How do learning gaps happen?
Learning gaps occur for all kinds of reasons. Some common factors that may contribute to learning gaps include:

• A child missed a lesson due to illness or family circumstances
• The teacher did not adequately cover the concept
• The math curriculum does not cover the concept in enough depth
• The pace of the math lesson was too fast
• The child learned to solve problems using an algorithm but lacks conceptual understanding
• The child felt sick or stressed while the concept was being taught and didn’t retain the information
• A rudimentary understanding of the concept was achieved by the child but he or she didn’t master the concept enough to understand how and when to apply it
• Outside factors are causing the child stress and so they cannot focus in class (divorce, bullying, overall lack of confidence or self-esteem, particularly in math)

Why are Learning Gaps a Problem?
Math skills build upon each other. Some skills are called foundational. Without mastering foundational skills advancing in more difficult concepts becomes almost impossible. For example, a child who hasn’t learned to count backward will struggle with subtraction. This is especially true for those who have the learning disability, dyscalculia.

How Should Learning Gaps be Addressed?
Effective instruction aimed at the missed or poorly understood concept and conducted at a pace suitable for each specific child is the best remedy for a learning gap. Students also need the opportunity to apply the concept in a variety of situations and to be able to ask questions to clear up any misunderstandings. Fixing a learning gap due to a conceptual misunderstanding takes time and practice.

When do Learning Gaps Close?
Learning gaps close when they are addressed. This can be a week or years after the learning should have occurred. The quicker a learning gap is addressed the less problems it will create, but it is never too late to close a learning gap.

How Does Mathnasium of Littleton address Learning Gaps?
Our diagnostic math assessments are designed to find learning gaps and our directors have years of experience working with children in math they bring to the assessment experience. Then our individualized learning plan addresses the learning gaps we discover. Each one is custom-tailored to the child we are working with and is based both on assessment results and parent/student learning goals. Our instructors then teach each child, one-to-one, whether online or in-person at the center, the concepts from their learning plan and give students feedback about their progress at every step of the process. See our Methods Page for more details. If you are wondering if your child might have some learning gaps, give us a call today to schedule the no-obligation, free math assessment. 303-979-9077.

This article was written by and owned by Cuttlefish Copywriting, www.cuttlefishcopywriting.com . It is copyright protected. Mathnasium of Littleton has permission to use it. Other Mathnasium locations should contact Heather at [email protected] before using it.