Teaching Tips:  Making Math Easy

I do not know about you, but when I was young I was pretty much intimidated with mathematics.  There are kids that would have natural math skills, but for some children (like me), math could be difficult.  Knowing this fact would actually help us have motivation to make math classes fun and interesting. 

For some children, the biggest math challenge is becoming interested.  The subject can be very boring since children find it difficult to understand, if they cannot understand something they would lose interest on it.  But, you as a teacher, can make it different. 

• Knowing basic addition and multiplication would go a long way.  If your child knows how to add and multiply very well then it fractions and other math problems would not be of a big problem.  If your child or your student is showing any sign of difficulty on this field, then make sure that they would be mastering this part first. 

• Teaching math does not have to be just numbers.  You can use different methods or approaches, math can be illustrated too.  So you use different kinds of pictures to illustrate concepts.  Children would easily understand if they can visualize it.  This would be great if you are teaching fractions, addition, multiplication and other topics. 

• Aside from using pictures and images, you could also use or incorporate games into your classes. You can determine a specific date of the week that you would be able to play games to exercise their math knowledge.  You can give small gifts or incentives to students who have won.  But to do not scold those who do not win, praise them still for their improvements.

• If you find playing games too rowdy and noisy, then another thing that could make math lessons interesting, is by encouraging students to answer a math challenges.  You could also give them small incentives for taking  part or answering the problems correctly.

• Sometimes, teachers tend to approach formulas in an imposing manner.  They would force students to understand and follow the formulas, just explaining its basic concepts.  But you could still make it interactive. You can encourage students to interpret and explain the formulas themselves.  Let them share their opinions.  They could learn a lot from their discussions with each other, compare to when you stay in front of them lecturing about formulas. 

• Research is essential.  Whether you are a teacher, tutor or parent, there are numerous ways or techniques that you can do to make learning fun for your kids and students.  There are numerous books, websites and resources that can help you come up with your own teaching technique and style.  Do not just rely on you school textbook.

• Tests and exercises do not have to be boring.  You can create a different kind of exam like puzzles, riddles or brain teasers. 

To be an effective teacher, you would have to love what you do.  For math teachers, you can make the subject interactive, creative and fun if you really love the subject.  For example, if you love doing something then it is natural that you would like to improve yourself in that field.  The same applies with teaching.  Your love for the profession will manifest on your lessons and how you strive to make your students learn something in your class. 

