It’s a problem commonly faced by most parents and teachers – how do you engage a reluctant student?
Writer Mari-Jane Williams found herself asking this same question, in the midst of a frantic Google search to update her fourth-grade mathematics skills to help her young son complete his homework task.
She then presented the question to a diverse series of industry professionals, cumulating the following list as a go-to-guide for encouraging young students to maintain their interest in mathematics.
Start at home
Mathematics might not be traditionally perceived as a recreational activity, but discussing and practicing maths at home is a step in the right direction for ensuring students don’t become disinterested come grade three and four.
Never say you weren’t good at maths
Even if you weren’t – avoid giving the impression that poor maths literacy is the norm.
(BUT)
Teach them that struggling is okay
Struggling – and improving – is part of learning any new skill, and it’s important that students know its okay to make mistakes. Experts stress that struggling is part of the process – so long as students don’t give up completely.
Celebrate a mathematician
Research the life and work of famous mathematicians such as Issac Newton, Pythagoras or Descartes, and dedicate a day to celebrating their accomplishments.
Adopt a more maths-centric vocabulary
Angles, rotation, fractions – use mathematical language to describe everyday occurrences.
Weave maths into everyday activities
Again, reinforcing mathematics as part of the everyday is incredibly useful for children. Baking can be a lesson in fractions, and shopping a lesson in one-to-one ratios.
Let them teach you something
Teaching someone a skill is one of the best ways to remember it – let your kids teach you a new equation.
This is just the short list – to view the full article, click here
This story was originally covered by Mari-Jane Williams for the Washington Post.
