Our older Math Students

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.