Do you hear from your child when it comes to Math, "How is this going to help me in life." Well here is an article from our guest blogger Dr. Rick discussing the usefulness of higher level math.
16 Days until PI Day!!
Push Kids Up the Math Ladder
by rbavaria
All this month we’ve been discussing ways to improve kids’ math skills – getting them to master their math facts, singing about math, playing math games, ignoring the girls-are-no-good-at-math whopper, and easing parents’ own anxiety about math. Scroll down, and you’ll see February’s math blogs. If you have a child who’s insecure about math, you may be able to pick up a tip or two.
Today, let’s focus not on our youngest learners but on older kids, middle school and above, who still need to keep up those math skills. Maybe more than ever.
In today’s math-centric world it’s not enough just to be able to do simple arithmetic, important as that is. If we want the best for our kids – and what parent or teacher doesn’t? – we must continue to keep our expectations high, our support strong, and our eyes vigilant.
Expectations. Are our family-determined goals high? Support. Are we providing helpful encouragement, healthy routines, positive attitudes, and serviceable study and homework environments? Vigilance. Are we monitoring homework, report cards, teacher communications, and changing behavior?
Math shouldn’t scare us parents or teachers. If we’re anxious about math, we can be sure our kids are picking up on that anxiety. Don’t let it happen.
Here are a half dozen reasons why higher levels of math like algebra and geometry are more important for our kids than they were for us. And a couple of resources at our service to take some of the worry away and steer us in the right direction.
1. Algebra helps us to reason. Algebra is all about analyzing, logic, and reasoning. The more practice our kids get in the classroom, the more ability they’ll have out in the world – in higher education, in job training, and in their occupations.
2. Algebra helps us to solve problems. Algebra teaches us to look at problems from many different angles. “What would happen if I changed this approach?” And from past experiences. “How did I solve a similar problem? How’d that work out? Could I have solved it more easily and efficiently?” Solving problems is one of life’s most constant challenges. Start exercising their problem-solving muscles now.
3. Algebra helps us to learn persistence. Learning how to stick to a worthwhile goal, to be motivated and not intimidated by challenge, and to feel the powerful reward of a job well done are all gratifying advantages of persistence.
4. Algebra helps raise our confidence. Succeed in algebra, and you’re ready for even more intense learning, more exhilarating challenges, and who-knows-how much richer potential. Confidence builds on itself.
5. Future jobs depend on algebra. Employers more than ever are demanding strong math skills of their employees. The U.S. Commerce Department (2011) reports that 75% of employers place a “very high level of priority” on math (and science) skills. And in today’s economy, with more job applicants than jobs, employers can be picky about whom they hire. Manufacturing jobs, for instance, require precise measurement and computation skills. That’s algebra.
6. You can get free help. The company I work for, Sylvan Learning , has thirty-plus years’ experience of helping kids who struggle with algebra. Check us out. For kids who haven’t even started algebra yet, Sylvan also provides a free algebra readiness check-up, Fit 4 Algebra . It helps parents determine if their children are ready for this critical subject, often referred to as a “gateway” to higher level mathematics. Kids take the check-up online, and they and their parents get an understanding of their algebra fitness. They’ll get a breakdown of their strengths and needs as well as links to resources to ensure they have the help they need to get fit for algebra. It’s free.
So, it’s really up to us parents and teachers. We simply have to encourage our kids to become math-friendly and math-curious early. As early as we get them to be ready for reading. Support them as they learn. Be enthusiastic about math in their everyday lives – just as we are about reading in their everyday lives. And show them, by our examples, a healthy respect for math skills and the promise the future can hold for those who are unafraid to keep learning.
Sylvan Learning Directors and teachers from Flemington, New Jersey dish on the latest educational trends and what you can do to help your child achieve academic success!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Charging up for Math
As we continue to draw closer and closer to March, we are reminded about the importance of math in our everyday life. Whether it is to figure out how many pounds of strawberries a chocolate shop dipped for Valentine's day or to figure out how much groceries are, math is everywhere. There are some students who love math and pick up concepts quickly. They can find math in everything that they do and enjoy it. Here is an article from our guest blogger Dr. Rick talking about these students.
23 days until PI Day!!!
Really, Really Smart-in-Math Kids
by rbavaria
Every math teacher can tell you about a few. Every student knows a couple. Many parents claim they have one. The really, really smart-in-math kid.
We know them when we see them. These kids learn concepts quickly. No lengthy practice sessions necessary. “Got it. Let’s move on.”
They’re curious. They see math everywhere. They notice patterns in everything – nature, architecture, music, human behavior. Their favorite question is “Why?”
They’re persistent. When they set their minds to figuring out a concept or a puzzling challenge, they focus on it, try many hypotheses, and keep striving, analyzing, and testing until they figure it out. They love to ask, “How?”
They’re deep thinkers. They’re not satisfied with just memorizing. They want to understand why a formula works, why a problem can be solved in many ways, and which way is the simplest and most elegant.
Sometimes they’re “gifted,” where their special acumen comes naturally, without work. Like, well, a gift. It’s “given” to them.
Sometimes they’re “talented,” ready to work hard and put in time and sweat. Not necessarily the same as gifted, but just as valuable. (Some say even more so. Perhaps we value what we work for more than what’s given to us.)
If you know a really, really smart-in-math kid, and you’re wondering what you can do to help her along, here are a few ideas I’ve learned from experience and from some really, really smart math teachers.
1. Enrich. Encourage the deep thinking that often comes naturally to these kids. A constant barrage of “Why?” questions might become exasperating, but think of them as signs of curiosity and cognitive growth. You don’t have to provide all the answers. Sometimes answering a question with another question is a good strategy. “Why do you think the seven-times-tables are harder than the two’s?”
2. Accelerate. Every teacher knows the value of picking up the pace for those students who “get it” right away and need to move on before they succumb to boredom or mischief. Have puzzle books, stimulating games, and other brain-exercising activities around the house for those “I’m bored” moments.
3. Stretch. Challenging his imagination and curiosity with a question that requires him to stretch his abilities can lead to all kinds of new skills and knowledge. Just as kids need to stretch their bodies daily, they need to stretch their brains.
4. Group. Put a bunch of like-minded kids together in a room, give them a problem to solve, and then get out of their way. Watch the brain power in action, the ideas fly, and the possible solutions emerge. Notice how the math group may be different from the writing group, which may be different from the music group and the art group.
5. Talk. Support him by talking about what interests him. Encourage him to talk about the math questions he’s curious about. Ask him to “teach” you what he’s learning.
6. Play games. There are lots of games especially appropriate for super-smart kids. Here’s a website I like.
7. Play with toys. Same with toys. Try this website for ideas.
8. Branch out. Encourage her to learn about other subjects into which she can sink her teeth. Math-smart kids are very often perfect fits for technology, music (there are those patterns again, right, Herr Bach?), science, and engineering. Don’t forget writing, painting, and other arts. They’re all connected through precision, problem-solving, and expression.
9. Get a tutor. Sometimes a talented tutor can make a huge difference. Someone who’s an expert in a particular subject, someone who can inspire excellence, someone who’s maneuvered the obstacles. A little individual attention, a little motivation, a little guidance. Try a National Honor Society high schooler. Try Sylvan.
10. Research. There’s no shortage of information, research, and resources. One of the best is the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth .
A word of caution. Balance. Don’t push too hard. Even the quickest elementary school kid probably still needs the cognitive development and maturity to tackle the highest level math and understand it. Just because he can memorize and go through the motions doesn’t mean he’s ready for advanced algebra and geometry. Follow your common sense and his behavior. He’s a kid, remember.
23 days until PI Day!!!
Really, Really Smart-in-Math Kids
by rbavaria
Every math teacher can tell you about a few. Every student knows a couple. Many parents claim they have one. The really, really smart-in-math kid.
We know them when we see them. These kids learn concepts quickly. No lengthy practice sessions necessary. “Got it. Let’s move on.”
They’re curious. They see math everywhere. They notice patterns in everything – nature, architecture, music, human behavior. Their favorite question is “Why?”
They’re persistent. When they set their minds to figuring out a concept or a puzzling challenge, they focus on it, try many hypotheses, and keep striving, analyzing, and testing until they figure it out. They love to ask, “How?”
They’re deep thinkers. They’re not satisfied with just memorizing. They want to understand why a formula works, why a problem can be solved in many ways, and which way is the simplest and most elegant.
Sometimes they’re “gifted,” where their special acumen comes naturally, without work. Like, well, a gift. It’s “given” to them.
Sometimes they’re “talented,” ready to work hard and put in time and sweat. Not necessarily the same as gifted, but just as valuable. (Some say even more so. Perhaps we value what we work for more than what’s given to us.)
If you know a really, really smart-in-math kid, and you’re wondering what you can do to help her along, here are a few ideas I’ve learned from experience and from some really, really smart math teachers.
1. Enrich. Encourage the deep thinking that often comes naturally to these kids. A constant barrage of “Why?” questions might become exasperating, but think of them as signs of curiosity and cognitive growth. You don’t have to provide all the answers. Sometimes answering a question with another question is a good strategy. “Why do you think the seven-times-tables are harder than the two’s?”
2. Accelerate. Every teacher knows the value of picking up the pace for those students who “get it” right away and need to move on before they succumb to boredom or mischief. Have puzzle books, stimulating games, and other brain-exercising activities around the house for those “I’m bored” moments.
3. Stretch. Challenging his imagination and curiosity with a question that requires him to stretch his abilities can lead to all kinds of new skills and knowledge. Just as kids need to stretch their bodies daily, they need to stretch their brains.
4. Group. Put a bunch of like-minded kids together in a room, give them a problem to solve, and then get out of their way. Watch the brain power in action, the ideas fly, and the possible solutions emerge. Notice how the math group may be different from the writing group, which may be different from the music group and the art group.
5. Talk. Support him by talking about what interests him. Encourage him to talk about the math questions he’s curious about. Ask him to “teach” you what he’s learning.
6. Play games. There are lots of games especially appropriate for super-smart kids. Here’s a website I like.
7. Play with toys. Same with toys. Try this website for ideas.
8. Branch out. Encourage her to learn about other subjects into which she can sink her teeth. Math-smart kids are very often perfect fits for technology, music (there are those patterns again, right, Herr Bach?), science, and engineering. Don’t forget writing, painting, and other arts. They’re all connected through precision, problem-solving, and expression.
9. Get a tutor. Sometimes a talented tutor can make a huge difference. Someone who’s an expert in a particular subject, someone who can inspire excellence, someone who’s maneuvered the obstacles. A little individual attention, a little motivation, a little guidance. Try a National Honor Society high schooler. Try Sylvan.
10. Research. There’s no shortage of information, research, and resources. One of the best is the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth .
A word of caution. Balance. Don’t push too hard. Even the quickest elementary school kid probably still needs the cognitive development and maturity to tackle the highest level math and understand it. Just because he can memorize and go through the motions doesn’t mean he’s ready for advanced algebra and geometry. Follow your common sense and his behavior. He’s a kid, remember.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Math Facts
March is known as National Math Month and Sylvan is celebrating in a couple different ways. Pi day being one of them. How many digits of Pi can you recite? Here is an article from our guess blogger Dr. Rick.
Master Those Basic Math Facts!
by rbavaria
March is National Math Month, so here at the Dr. Rick Blog we’ve been preparing for it by anticipating the topics of conversation we’ll inevitably hear next month. Nothing like being prepared.
Elementary teachers tell me the importance of kids mastering their “basic math facts” of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by the end of fourth grade. Research bears them out. Kids should have a fluent recall of basic facts in order to move on to more advanced math like algebra and geometry.
Students’ recall should be effortless, without hesitation, automatic – hence mathematicians’ term – “automaticity.” It’s really no different from the automatic reflexes of the well-conditioned athlete, the well-practiced musician, or the well-rehearsed actor. The brain automatically processes the information. (“Oh, yeah, I know this drill. Piece of cake.”)
Besides allowing kids to move up to more challenging math – those higher level skills upon which so much of 21st century success depends – automaticity lets kids build their confidence along with their skills.
Confidence leads to more learning. Math anxiety? Never heard of it.
Have a kid approaching fifth grade and still hesitant in his math facts? Here are some ways to increase kids’ mastery. Quickly. Use one or more every day.
1. Make flash cards. A great way to practice. They may be low-tech, but flash cards work. Kids making their own has at least two benefits. First, they’re thinking about math and the facts necessary to go on the cards. Second, they’re learning as they’re creating. Make it a family activity and have fun in the process.
2. Play games. Math games can promote math fluency. And, besides, there’s nothing wrong with having fun while you’re learning. Here’s a website I like .
3. Sing songs. Kids learn quickly when they can remember facts with song . Make up your own math songs if you have to.
4. Use money. Coins and bills are easy and useful ways to learn math facts. Play “store” and use make-believe money. Make change. Subtract discounts. Figure out multiples of prices. “Mr. Manager, these apples are twenty-five cents each. How much for a half-dozen, please?”
5. Use clocks. Telling time is a great way to learn math, too. “We have to be at school by 8:45. It takes twenty minutes to get there. What time should we leave?”
6. Have speed trials. Let your child time her “sprints” of five or ten math facts. Get an inexpensive stop watch – or just use the second hand on yours – and let her see her improvement over time. Make a progress chart. Have reasonable, meaningful rewards – a favorite treat, some extra bedtime minutes on weekends, or special time with you, without siblings.
7. Encourage study buddies. Study buddies allow kids to learn from each other, to recognize each other’s talents, to challenge each other, and to celebrate with each other. Sometimes kids ask each other questions they don’t ask us. Sometimes they explain better than we do, in their own language.
8. Give “pop quizzes.” Every day pop some math questions on them . “Quick, Emily, what’s nine times nine?” “Aaron, one hundred minus twenty?” To motivate them and to let them learn by doing, let them quiz you. Turnabout is fair play.
9. Monitor homework. Make sure your child’s homework is complete, accurate, and neat. Make sure he turns it in. (Check that backpack often. Parents tell me they’re frequently amazed at what they find in there. “You’ve had this note from Mrs. Porter for how long?”)
10. Be a role model. Show that math is important to you. From time to time talk about cool jobs that rely on math – musicians need timing, sports writers need statistics, pilots need geometry, high-tech industry needs precision. If you disliked math in school, for heaven’s sake keep it to yourself.
You can also find lots of help on the internet. There are plenty of websites that can give you good ideas. Here’s one .
Lots of kids need a little help now and then. If your child has fallen behind in math, if he’s dreading math class, if his grades are dipping, if he’s lost his confidence, get help right away. He won’t be able to build on a weak foundation, and his confidence is sagging. The company I work for, Sylvan Learning , has helped thousands of kids catch up, keep up, and get ahead with their math. Just get help.
Master Those Basic Math Facts!
by rbavaria
March is National Math Month, so here at the Dr. Rick Blog we’ve been preparing for it by anticipating the topics of conversation we’ll inevitably hear next month. Nothing like being prepared.
Elementary teachers tell me the importance of kids mastering their “basic math facts” of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by the end of fourth grade. Research bears them out. Kids should have a fluent recall of basic facts in order to move on to more advanced math like algebra and geometry.
Students’ recall should be effortless, without hesitation, automatic – hence mathematicians’ term – “automaticity.” It’s really no different from the automatic reflexes of the well-conditioned athlete, the well-practiced musician, or the well-rehearsed actor. The brain automatically processes the information. (“Oh, yeah, I know this drill. Piece of cake.”)
Besides allowing kids to move up to more challenging math – those higher level skills upon which so much of 21st century success depends – automaticity lets kids build their confidence along with their skills.
Confidence leads to more learning. Math anxiety? Never heard of it.
Have a kid approaching fifth grade and still hesitant in his math facts? Here are some ways to increase kids’ mastery. Quickly. Use one or more every day.
1. Make flash cards. A great way to practice. They may be low-tech, but flash cards work. Kids making their own has at least two benefits. First, they’re thinking about math and the facts necessary to go on the cards. Second, they’re learning as they’re creating. Make it a family activity and have fun in the process.
2. Play games. Math games can promote math fluency. And, besides, there’s nothing wrong with having fun while you’re learning. Here’s a website I like .
3. Sing songs. Kids learn quickly when they can remember facts with song . Make up your own math songs if you have to.
4. Use money. Coins and bills are easy and useful ways to learn math facts. Play “store” and use make-believe money. Make change. Subtract discounts. Figure out multiples of prices. “Mr. Manager, these apples are twenty-five cents each. How much for a half-dozen, please?”
5. Use clocks. Telling time is a great way to learn math, too. “We have to be at school by 8:45. It takes twenty minutes to get there. What time should we leave?”
6. Have speed trials. Let your child time her “sprints” of five or ten math facts. Get an inexpensive stop watch – or just use the second hand on yours – and let her see her improvement over time. Make a progress chart. Have reasonable, meaningful rewards – a favorite treat, some extra bedtime minutes on weekends, or special time with you, without siblings.
7. Encourage study buddies. Study buddies allow kids to learn from each other, to recognize each other’s talents, to challenge each other, and to celebrate with each other. Sometimes kids ask each other questions they don’t ask us. Sometimes they explain better than we do, in their own language.
8. Give “pop quizzes.” Every day pop some math questions on them . “Quick, Emily, what’s nine times nine?” “Aaron, one hundred minus twenty?” To motivate them and to let them learn by doing, let them quiz you. Turnabout is fair play.
9. Monitor homework. Make sure your child’s homework is complete, accurate, and neat. Make sure he turns it in. (Check that backpack often. Parents tell me they’re frequently amazed at what they find in there. “You’ve had this note from Mrs. Porter for how long?”)
10. Be a role model. Show that math is important to you. From time to time talk about cool jobs that rely on math – musicians need timing, sports writers need statistics, pilots need geometry, high-tech industry needs precision. If you disliked math in school, for heaven’s sake keep it to yourself.
You can also find lots of help on the internet. There are plenty of websites that can give you good ideas. Here’s one .
Lots of kids need a little help now and then. If your child has fallen behind in math, if he’s dreading math class, if his grades are dipping, if he’s lost his confidence, get help right away. He won’t be able to build on a weak foundation, and his confidence is sagging. The company I work for, Sylvan Learning , has helped thousands of kids catch up, keep up, and get ahead with their math. Just get help.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sing a Song
Have you ever realized that some kids learn better when they are singing songs to remember things or listening to music. Here is an article from our guest blogger Dr. Rick.
Learn Math by Singing
by rbavaria
Kids love to sing. That’s why creative elementary teachers have so many songs at their fingertips – songs about history, songs about books, songs from other countries, songs about Bible stories, songs that help us remember things. Songs help kids stay focused. Singing together creates group-learning. And, let’s face it, singing’s fun, especially for the youngest learners who haven’t become self-conscious yet. The louder the better. That’s the only rule they know.
I’ve written about kids singing. There’s something joyful about seeing a bunch of kids singing to their hearts’ content. I’ll bet each of us adults can remember the lyrics of TV commercials for long-gone, useless products long after we’ve forgotten, say, the Pythagorean Theorem or the causes of the War of 1812.
So why not use songs to help kids learn their math? Math, more than any other subject, can make some kids anxious and reticent. (More on this in future blogs.) And it certainly tops the list of the homework-helping subjects parents are the least confident about. The company I work for, Sylvan Learning, sees it every day in our centers. (“I just can’t help with the math anymore! Help!”)
There’s lots of musical help out there for parents and kids who want to make learning math easier. Here’s an example from a website I like . “Numbers Everywhere” is simple, fun, and effective. It’s catchy and “sticky,” meaning it will stay in your kids’ minds (and yours, too – one of the parental occupational hazards) as they become aware of numbers that surround them every day.
Just like the alphabet song lets them recognize letters and words that surround them every day.
Here’s another one. Mr. R’s World of Math and Science has fun songs you can listen to or download. Songs about addition, subtraction, multiplication facts, counting by tens, place values, even simple geometry.
Here are a half-dozen reasons why you should at least consider singing about math with your kids.
1. Singing helps them pay attention. Music gets our attention, and that’s the first step in learning. I’m all for trying whatever gets kids’ attention and holds it.
2. Singing helps them stay engaged. When kids are learning together, they’re always motivated by how their peers are doing. Singing together – whether it’s with their friends and classmates or with you at home – lets them feel a part of a group of learners.
3. Singing helps them remember facts. Familiar songs cement words and concepts in our minds. A teacher told me once she loved to watch the kids lip synching as they worked individually on their math. “They were singing the songs in their heads.” Whatever works.
4. Singing is fun. Nothing wrong with injecting a little enjoyment into learning. When kids associate a good time with their classroom learning and their study time at home, they’re motivated for more learning, primed for new skills, and on the road to increased confidence.
5. Singing is creative. More often than not even the least math-oriented kids become little Einsteins when they’re encouraged to make up silly – but factual – lyrics to math songs. When you’re helping him study for his long division quiz, ask him to explain the process, then both of you put the process into song. Use favorite melodies – Mary Had a Little Lamb, The Farmer in the Dell, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, hip hop. Whatever works, remember?
6. Singing uses rhythm. Kids react to rhythm. It’s elemental and moving. I’ve written before about the teacher who taught his kids their spelling words by having them jump rope. The rhythm of the jumping helped them learn the words. Same for singing.
Of course, if you want to break out that old guitar you haven’t touched in years and accompany the kids in full-throated math song, feel free. Like I’ve said, whatever works.
Learn Math by Singing
by rbavaria
Kids love to sing. That’s why creative elementary teachers have so many songs at their fingertips – songs about history, songs about books, songs from other countries, songs about Bible stories, songs that help us remember things. Songs help kids stay focused. Singing together creates group-learning. And, let’s face it, singing’s fun, especially for the youngest learners who haven’t become self-conscious yet. The louder the better. That’s the only rule they know.
I’ve written about kids singing. There’s something joyful about seeing a bunch of kids singing to their hearts’ content. I’ll bet each of us adults can remember the lyrics of TV commercials for long-gone, useless products long after we’ve forgotten, say, the Pythagorean Theorem or the causes of the War of 1812.
So why not use songs to help kids learn their math? Math, more than any other subject, can make some kids anxious and reticent. (More on this in future blogs.) And it certainly tops the list of the homework-helping subjects parents are the least confident about. The company I work for, Sylvan Learning, sees it every day in our centers. (“I just can’t help with the math anymore! Help!”)
There’s lots of musical help out there for parents and kids who want to make learning math easier. Here’s an example from a website I like . “Numbers Everywhere” is simple, fun, and effective. It’s catchy and “sticky,” meaning it will stay in your kids’ minds (and yours, too – one of the parental occupational hazards) as they become aware of numbers that surround them every day.
Just like the alphabet song lets them recognize letters and words that surround them every day.
Here’s another one. Mr. R’s World of Math and Science has fun songs you can listen to or download. Songs about addition, subtraction, multiplication facts, counting by tens, place values, even simple geometry.
Here are a half-dozen reasons why you should at least consider singing about math with your kids.
1. Singing helps them pay attention. Music gets our attention, and that’s the first step in learning. I’m all for trying whatever gets kids’ attention and holds it.
2. Singing helps them stay engaged. When kids are learning together, they’re always motivated by how their peers are doing. Singing together – whether it’s with their friends and classmates or with you at home – lets them feel a part of a group of learners.
3. Singing helps them remember facts. Familiar songs cement words and concepts in our minds. A teacher told me once she loved to watch the kids lip synching as they worked individually on their math. “They were singing the songs in their heads.” Whatever works.
4. Singing is fun. Nothing wrong with injecting a little enjoyment into learning. When kids associate a good time with their classroom learning and their study time at home, they’re motivated for more learning, primed for new skills, and on the road to increased confidence.
5. Singing is creative. More often than not even the least math-oriented kids become little Einsteins when they’re encouraged to make up silly – but factual – lyrics to math songs. When you’re helping him study for his long division quiz, ask him to explain the process, then both of you put the process into song. Use favorite melodies – Mary Had a Little Lamb, The Farmer in the Dell, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, hip hop. Whatever works, remember?
6. Singing uses rhythm. Kids react to rhythm. It’s elemental and moving. I’ve written before about the teacher who taught his kids their spelling words by having them jump rope. The rhythm of the jumping helped them learn the words. Same for singing.
Of course, if you want to break out that old guitar you haven’t touched in years and accompany the kids in full-throated math song, feel free. Like I’ve said, whatever works.
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