Math is often one of the most difficult subjects to teach. There is just something about numbers that turn off some children and make them think that this is very difficult to learn about. The truth is, math can be easy, and so is teaching it. To help make teaching math easier and more enjoyable, here are some great teacher tips to keep in mind.
Focus on one math skill at a time.
Math is hard enough for many students. If you try to teach all the skills in one setting, the children will only be confused or suffer from information overload. Focusing on one skill at a time will ensure a more in-depth learning.
Provide additional help
While some kids will have no trouble in getting the computations right, some will have more difficulties in grasping the lessons. Be sure to provide an extra hand for these students. Determine those who need help and offer after-school tutorial to make them learn math more easily.
Keep students engaged with games
Kids love to play games. Playing keeps things interesting for them. Even for those who are bored with the subject of numbers will be more enthusiastic about math if you incorporate games into the lesson plan. Here are some ideas that you can use for your class.
• Around the World – In this game, the students will sit in a circle. Hold up a flash card with a math problem, the first student to answer will stand behind the person next to him. Repeat the process. The first person who goes around the circle wins the game.
• Jeopardy Game – This is a variation of Jeopardy that deals with math problems instead.
• Number Tag – Have students wear nametags. But instead of their names, write down a multiplication problem on each of the tag (e.g. 7 x 3, 8 x 9, and so on). Require the students to call each other by the answer to the multiplication problem so that 7 x 3 will be called 21 and 8 x 9 should answer to the name 72.
• Family Budgeting – Divide the kids into groups. Each group will be a family. Each family will be given a set of play money that they will have to budget for the household expenses. Give a budget plan that they should follow. The family who does the budgeting correctly wins the game.
Be fun and lively
You cannot expect your students to be interested in math if you yourself appear bored and unenthusiastic about it. Always be fun and lively during class discussions and lectures so that it would be easier for the kids to follow suit. Make it a point to create interactive math activities for the children that you would also enjoy so you will all have a grand time during this subject.
Teaching education whether it is math, science, history or any other subject is always a challenging feat. You just have to exert some extra effort to find effective teaching strategies that work.
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