How To Teach Mathematics

If you become a teacher, you will learn how to build relationships with your students, communicate with parents, and plan your lessons.These are useful tools for teachers.If you teach math, you need to emphasize a strong foundation.A subject that builds on prior learning is math.Before you move forward, you need to make sure your students understand the basics.Homework can be used to help you monitor student growth.You should find ways to use current technology in your classes in math.

Step 1: Teaching students why things work is important.

It is similar to teaching a system of procedures.You need to get your students to understand why the procedure works if you are teaching basic addition, long division, or integral calculus.

Step 2: Understand student work.

You should look at students' work to find out what they know.They don't know what the wrong answers show.Set a base for additional work by using the student's knowledge base of right answers.A sequential subject is math.Students who don't have a strong understanding base will have more difficulty later.

Step 3: Don't use memorization as a tool.

It is still important to memorize some levels of mathematics.Students learning math need to memorize basic facts just like students learning a foreign language.The students will be able to focus on more advanced understanding of these things if they memorize them.In increasing level of complexity, there are examples of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division facts.

Step 4: Students can explore and create rules.

Rather than lecturing and giving students rules and definitions, give them projects that will help them discover math facts of their own.If students find their rules through self-discovery, they will remember them better.Young students can be given fraction bars.Students can find certain patterns and equalities through directed exploration.

Step 5: Allow time for guided practice in class.

You should allow time for each student to practice after introducing a concept.You could set up students in working pairs or groups for this practice.You can check the progress of students in class by moving among them.Allow them time to struggle a bit.When you see that students are having a hard time grasping a topic, you can step in and help them.

Step 6: Homework should be used effectively.

During class time, students can learn new material, but you should assign homework problems to emphasize that learning.Students should be given the chance to practice what they have learned in the homework.Homework problems that are challenging enough to stretch all students but not so difficult that anyone will give up should be given.

Step 7: Don't assign too much busy work.

Students need to be engaged in their schoolwork.They won't learn as much from homework if they believe it's not worth it.A few key problems to emphasize a point and understand students learning will be more effective than many repetitive exercises.Make the homework your own.The students who need the most practice should be assigned homework.

Step 8: It is important to review homework effectively.

Students should know that their homework will count.A quick group review is an effective use of homework.If you want to get feedback from other students, you can ask students to give their answers on the chalkboard.This will give you immediate feedback on which students understand the concept and which are having difficulty.The students will see immediately that completing their homework has an effect on their classwork.

Step 9: Appropriate technology can be used for teaching.

Students will follow your lectures more if they see you using technology.You need to be aware of the materials in your classroom and be able to use them correctly.Smartboards Computer projectors may include a programmed slide shows.

Step 10: Students should be allowed to use appropriate tools.

Students are surrounded by technology and should be encouraged to use it.You need to combine the use of technology and adequate knowledge of math to teach it.Students should be taught how to use Graphing Calculators, Smartboards, and other tablets.

Step 11: You can use smart phones for homework.

Students can be encouraged to enter assignments into their cell phone calendars if they habitually forget to write down homework.It is more likely that the assignment makes it's way home.If you allow the use of certain support apps, you can encourage your students to do their homework.You can find a lot of math homework apps on the Internet.Student learning can be cut into if homework apps are used wrongly.You can use the available tools if you research the apps carefully and direct your students' work.MetaCalculator and WolframAlpha can be used to investigate.

Step 12: Technology is used to assist learning.

If you teach math, you need to ask if the apps are adding to the learning experience or taking it away.Photomath is an app that will show students the answers to their homework problems.Students need to be able to explain their answers and the steps they perform in order for this to look like cheating.Students who need help at home can use the app.They should know that you will be looking for their overall understanding.

Step 13: There are ways to challenge higher level students.

Many of their classmates don't learn as thoroughly as gifted students.They find interest in different topics.As a math teacher with gifted students, you need to challenge them and keep their interest.It is possible to provide differentiated instruction with separate textbooks.Advanced students should be given more challenge projects to work on.Allow more time for students to explore mathematical relationships.Students can explore higher levels of math.

Step 14: Support for slower students is provided.

Because math continues to build on prior learning, it's important to make sure they understand before you move on.Allow extra time is one of the special techniques you can use to help slower students.Students don't have to complete their assignments in the same amount of time.The focus should be on learning, not on timing.Students can be helped organize their notes.Provide outlines for their note taking.Pull them out in small groups.Small groups make it easier for students to participate.Provide teachers.You can work with the students, their parents and guidance counselors to encourage outside tutoring.Honor society students can do this for free in some schools.Focus on concrete examples.Students at the lower level are more likely to think in concrete terms.They can do well with the real shapes of geometry despite being difficult with some abstract concepts.

Step 15: Take a personal interest in the students.

Students tend to perform better for their teachers.You should try to show an interest in your students that goes beyond the classroom and the brief time you see them.Ask about their other subjects.It is possible to show an interest in their extracurricular activities.If you find out that a student enjoys playing basketball, you can introduce ratios in terms of the number of points scored per quarter.

Step 16: Contact parents often.

Students need to know that they and their parents share an interest in their development.If there is a problem student, you should contact the parents as soon as possible.When you have good news, you should let parents know.You will generally find that the parents will support your work because of your involvement and caring.