Back To School Basics: Math Tips for a Smooth Start

Aug 24, 2021 | Littleton

Back To School Basics: Math Tips for a Smooth Start

 

While summer is still in the air and before your child dives back into their math studies, it's a great idea to take inventory of where your child left off this past school year and plan for success in this new year.  Let's discuss four ways to develop a back-to-school math plan for your child to ensure they have the best start to the school year.

 

1.)   Set SMART math goals

For this school year, it's important to set math goals. When setting goals, make sure they are S.M.A.R.T.:

—      Specific

—      Measurable

—      Achievable

—      Realistic

—      Timed

 

Two examples of SMART goals are:

  • By the end of the 1st month of school, I will be able to correctly complete my multiplication tables.
  • I will study my SAT Math preparation for 1 hour on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

 

These goals are detailed, you can calculate their success and the goals are reachable. The goals are also within reach of the concrete timeframes given. 

 

You can break down these goals as much as you need to fit changing needs. If your student begins to feel overwhelmed or lose focus, you can direct them back to review their learning goals for guidance and to check their progress.

 

2.)   Re-Establish Good Study Habits

Solid study habits may have waned due to the constant changes in instruction and learning style due to COVID. Now is the time to reinforce good study habits your child can put back into practice. Examples include:

 

●      Minimize distractions while studying.

●      Keep a consistent study schedule.

●      Complete all homework assignments.

●      Take notes during your study time of any questions or concerns for the teacher.

 

Maintaining good study habits will help your child reap the benefits of what they are learning. Our Mathnasium center offers homework help as part of our program and we can assist your child with developing better study habits for math.

 

3.)   Learn the Math Vocabulary

It's important for your child to know the math terms for the math subject they are studying just as well as they know the numbers and formulas. Understanding the math vocabulary helps your child to make a connection. If your child is unable to define the words that they find in a math problem, such as variable or numerator, it may explain their difficulty with solving a related problem that uses those terms. To help make the connection, you can help your child do the following:

 

●      Make math vocabulary flashcards

●      Keep a notebook of math terms and their corresponding definitions as they learn them

●      Create a matching game where they write out key math terms and their definitions and try to match them correctly.

 

4.)   Keep It Fun!

While your child is learning math, try to keep learning fun! This is a great way to foster positive attitudes towards math. They'll be having fun and won't realize how much they're learning. You can use board games like Bingo, Yahtzee or Monopoly to reinforce math concepts and strengthen their critical thinking and reasoning skills.

 

Video games and computer games often receive a bad rap due to concerns over screen time, but there are benefits. If your child can successfully manage their video game use, video games can foster some problem-solving skills and tap into your child's creativity while playing. It can also serve to introduce them to a potential career choice as a programmer or video game developer, career options that require math. Helping your child view math as fun early can build their confidence and help them stay the course as difficulty increases.

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Regardless of grade level, know that your child has experienced some learning loss with summer break and the impact of virtual learning. The good news is, with a little time and effort your child can continue to progress. Setting intentional goals, reinforcing good study habits from the start, staying on top of new math terminology, and having fun with math will allow your child to work through any obstacles and move forward.

 

As your child transitions back into the classroom, Mathnasium is here to help make it easier. If you’re concerned your child may have fallen too far behind over the last year, we offer a free math assessment to measure your child's current math abilities. We then use the assessment to craft a custom learning plan just for them to use and help them set learning goals. Our expertly trained instructors are excited to help your child get a jumpstart on the school year. If you prefer online learning, we offer live sessions at no extra cost through Mathnasium@Home. Give us a call or reach out to us online and schedule your child's free assessment today and learn all about our fun and engaging offerings to help you and your child start this year off successfully.

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