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In this article I discuss some general principles in helping students that are behind in math: How to Help a Student Who is Behind in Math?1. Test and assessIf you have been the teacher, you probably have an idea of the student's weak areas, but knowing for sure is much better than guesswork. By testing you will be sure to catch ALL the areas that are weak. This is important since mathematics builds upon earlier concepts. You can download ready-made assessment tests from a variety of sources:
Remember though that you're NOT using these tests to find out what grade level your child is in, but to pinpoint the exact areas that he needs help with. So you need to look at the test results closely, question by question. For example, most US kids test well below their US grade level in Singapore math, but those tests will work fine if you're just looking at the various areas or concepts of math, not at the grade levels. You can have your student take tests for several grade levels, if needed, or only do the problems from certain sections such as division. Stress to him that it is for evaluation purposes, not for giving grades. 2. Line up the concepts or areas of studyOnce you know the areas or concepts that need further teaching, make a list of them. Then you need to make up a plan as to the ORDER in which you will cover these areas. The sequence of concepts DOES matter! You as the teacher need to know some basics of how math concepts "flow together". For example, multiplication tables are very important to master before embarking on equivalent fractions or learning about divisibility tests. Here are some other examples: addition → multiplication concept This scope & sequence chart may also help you. 3. PlanSome of these weak areas may have to be studied before you start or continue with your normal curriculum. However, you may be able to incorporate the study of some just before certain topics in the normal course of study. Just check your math curriculum and if it has a chapter on division, do the needed review on division before embarking on that chapter. If this was a new school year, your plan may look like this (this is a made-up list of chapters) : * Chapter 1 from book [Whole Numbers]If your student is more heavily behind, it may be like this: * Review of multiplication concept and tablesHere's yet another scenario: * Review of multiplication concept and tables As you can see, it can vary. You may even have to change your plan as you go along. The important thing is that you've tested and assessed, and you have some kind of "game plan", so you can feel IN CONTROL. 4. Should you go on with new concepts or not?This is not a "yay or nay" question. With some kids, it's advisable to bring forth some new conceps or new areas of mathematics as well. It can keep them motivated and not feel so behind. Obviously you cannot start a study of long division if your student is lagging behind in multiplciation or division, but you may be able to "sprinkle" in some place value stuff, geometry, or measuring. GEOMETRY is an especially good area to use as "new" material while going over old concepts, because it typically does not require many calculations, and students tend to like it. In some cases, however, you may have to go back quite far and spend a significant amount of time only relearning old stuff. Typically, it is "new stuff" for the student though. So just use your judgment, go on with your plans, and readjust them as you go. 5. Suggestion for review worktextsI have written books - worktexts actually, that are an excellent means of reviewing or relearning forgotten topics. A worktext means that the book contains the explanations and problems in the same text (there is no separate textbook and workbook). Math Mammoth Blue Series worktexts deal with a few topics in each book, explaining the concepts and providing varied practice, often with visual aids. The topics covered in this series of books range from 1st grade addition to about 5th grade fractions and decimal topics, and everything in between: place value, addition & subtraction facts, multiplication tables, multidigit multiplication, long division, measuring, clock, money, geometry, fractions, and decimals. These books are sold in electronic form for very affordable prices ($2 - $5). Lots of of free samples are available. You can even use those to teach your student or child! Printed copies are also available via Lulu.com. See alsoHow to Teach Math to a Struggling Student - suggestions by Denise from Let's Play Math! |
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