With the calendar turning to 2020, many will start the year with their New Year’s resolutions.
We prefer to consider the learning strategies our Alamo Ranch center employs as math education and math tutoring mantras. After all, people tend to abandon New Year’s Resolutions. Our math learning mantras are designed to help students excel and even become fans of doing math for the long-term. Yes, even math homework time can be changed from stressful to confidence building.
Mathnasium of Alamo Ranch works with students to achieve success in math and build excitement for the subject. Regardless of whether you're in elementary, middle or high school, it's never too early ... or too late ... to begin that journey. It's a journey that leads to greater confidence, improved problem solving skills and success in the classroom, future education and career paths.
Mathnasium of Alamo Ranch’s Seven Math Mantras help students and parents on this journey to achieve success.
DON’T be Contagious
This year we have our first mantra that’s a “Don’t.” Do not spread your phobia of math to your children -- “Don’t be contagious.” Most people see no problem admitting their distaste for math. However, you wouldn’t proudly boast you’re bad at reading. Often, we make these self-deprecating statements about our math phobias in hopes of making our kids feel better. Unfortunately, research shows it’s having the opposite effect. Instead, we’ve created an anxiety over mathematics, which the National Mathematics Advisory Panel has found it leading students to perform lower than their abilities. If you struggled with math as a child, take heart — it is possible to support your kids without tapping into your own negative experiences. Use the right language when speaking with your child: Math isn’t “hard,” but it does require practice. As you explore math with your child, do so with fresh eyes, an open mind, and a desire to learn.
Give Yourself Permission to Ask for Help
As a parent, or student, it’s okay to ask for help. If the idea of going online and Googling math tutor near me or Tallahassee math tutor gives you pause, take a step back and think of the benefits that math tutoring and math homework help will provide your child. We are willing to get athletic trainers, music teachers, dance instructors, etc., for our children. Math instructors and tutors allow students to get the help they need, addressing skill gaps and helping students improve their math abilities.
Emphasize Long Term Development
If students are simply trying to “get the answer,” it may help them get through the homework assignment, but they are not truly learning. Often, students struggle in math class because they don’t truly understand what they are learning and are unable to apply the concepts on tests or in future math classes. If a student doesn’t understand something, instead of simply getting through that night’s assignment, it’s beneficial to ask questions. Ask math teachers. Ask math tutors. Students who may be embarrassed about asking questions in class, can rest assured that asking questions with a math tutor at our math learning center is easy.
To Learn Math, You Must Do Math
It’s impossible to do well in math just sitting back and reading or listening. It requires you to jump in and be an active participant. Like any activity or sport, you have to practice to find success. Math is no exception. Students actively learning (practicing) math develop the foundational skills and problem-solving ability to find success in math class. Whether it’s at Mathnasium of Tallahassee, the classroom or at home, practice, practice, practice. If you want to be a great athlete – football player, gymnast, swimmer – you don’t just roll up and say “I am here!” It requires effort, practice, work outs, etc. Math is no different.
Chart New Paths and Cultivate New Abilities
Each student’s future is wide open. Their academic path is not determined in elementary school math, middle school algebra or even high school math classes. There’s always time to chart new paths, discover and cultivate new abilities and pursue new academic interests. Students should not give up on math if they are struggling in their studies. If you stick with it, if you seek to find the right way for you to learn math, you may discover your passion in math, unlocking a wide future of potential pursuits.
Set Goals and Manage Timeframe Expectations
Improving math abilities and skills -- achieving true mastery of concepts – doesn’t happen overnight. Individual students progress at their own pace. It takes consistent effort. Students (and parents) who truly dedicate themselves and have a positive mental attitude toward doing the work needed to achieve success, will meet their goals.
Promote a Healthy Balance
If your child seems especially restless and resistant to established study routines, get involved and switch things up a bit while making sure they still have enough time to attend to class work. Give kids a little extra time to unwind after school if they seem particularly burned out. Mixing learning and fun never hurt, including playing fun math games together during family time. And, be sure to work in active playtime and make sure your child gets enough exercise.
With these seven mantras in the new year, students can build their math confidence and be prepared for the math assignments in front of them each day.
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