Mathematics is more than a subject included in the school curriculum. It is a life skill that helps us make many decisions in routine life.
Though the teachers at every Kuala Lumpur international school use various strategies to train their students in the subject, many children still face challenges. They cannot connect well with mathematics. It will eventually affect their academics and life decisions significantly.
Math isn’t a subject you can learn through pen and paper. The students should understand the concepts, which is possible only through practical activities and experiments. That is why parents always enquire about activities that teachers conduct to ensure their child gets proficient in the subject. They enquire about these details during the school admission time and go for the enrolment only if they are sure.
Best strategies for teaching mathematics
If you are an educator, understand that it is your job to convince the parents that their wards are safe. In addition, you have to convince them that their child will get well-versed in each subject, especially mathematics which scares many children. To make this possible, you can opt for impressive and productive strategies for teaching mathematics. Let us discuss a few of them in detail.
- You can only teach some things solely based on activities. So, create a balance and dedicate one day to whiteboard learning in the class and the other day to teaching the same concept through a practical task. It will deepen the children understanding, and they will memorize the concepts for longer.
- Focus on making the students understand the concept behind a topic. Ensure they do not just mug things up to get good scores, as it would only help them in the short run. Instead, teach them the practical use of the concepts being taught to them so that they relate to and keep them in mind forever.
- For young children, the vocabulary you use affects their level of understanding. For example, subtraction can be a challenging term to remember for them, but they will quickly grab the word remove. So, choose your classroom vocabulary wisely to help your students engage well and learn efficiently.
- Create a cordial and supportive environment in your classroom, allowing students to speak their minds. Let them ask you queries, and you can resolve them until they learn the concept by heart. It will improve their mathematical skills and give them the confidence to excel in life.
- Keep the subject practice going on. You do not have to give elaborate home assignments to your students. For example, a Kuala Lumpur international school assigns meaningful homework through activities. This way, they ensure that the children brush up on their skills even they are at home.
- Conduct regular assessment tests to check whether your students have understood what is being taught. Consider changing your strategy if you see a gap between the lecture delivery and student understanding.
Read also: Exploring the World of Art and Design in International Schools
With these simple yet effective tips, you can help your students get comfortable with mathematics. With time, they will develop an interest in the subject, and their academic performance will improve.
