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Tips for Teaching Math

• Ask your student what skills in math she has and what she wants to learn.
• Relate math skills to daily life.
• Can your student:
  • use a calculator?
  • use a ruler?
  • use estimation strategies?
  • ask questions?
  • balance a checkbook?
  • read a thermometer?
  • calculate a tip?
  • read and interpret charts and graphs?
• Observe and analyze the kinds of computational errors your student makes and then teach the necessary skills.
• Teach your student strategies for solving word problems.
• Encourage your student to check his work with a calculator.
• Stress that HOW you do a problem is just as important as the correct answer.
• Use “hands-on” manipulatives when teaching math concepts. For example, use a ruler to measure objects, or coins to count change.
• Encourage frequent practice so that your student can master these skills. So often our students didn’t understand a concept in the classroom and were left behind when the class moved on to a new skill. This time ensure success by allowing your student time to really learn these skills.