Ways To Improve Grades

Most of the students and parents ask for the different ways and techniques to learn and to improve grades in mathematics. Here are some ways to improve grades: 

1) If you don't understand something, concentrate on that topic and understand it before moving on to the next topic. It seems simple, but it is necessary. Lets say a student is learning Algebra, for example. Further, lets say he or she is having a hard time understanding how to add and subtract negative and positive numbers. All of us struggle with this in the beginning as it is a sticky point for most students. Some students in this situation, out of frustration that they "can't" learn this topic, will move on to the next lesson in the hope that they will be able to understand that one.

This is a recipe for disaster.
Math is very much like learning to read. If you don't know your letter sounds then you have no hope of being able to sound out words of course there is no way possible that you could read a book. All math courses are taught in a specific sequence because the every topic builds on the previous topic. If you are having a problem with a topic, continue working with that one until you understand it and can work problems successfully. Watch the DVD section over again, attend tutoring, read the book and examples a second time, or even get a totally different book to have it explained a different way...but whatever you do not turn the page and tackle the next topic. If you do, you will get even more frustrated and you in all likelihood will begin to give up hope. 2) If you are going to attempt an exercise problem, you must go through the example problem first and learn the concept of solving the problem with proper method. Then you can go on to the exercise problem but Always begin with the easiest problem in your book, even if you think it will be too "easy" to solve. It is very very important to build your confidence. This is why you should begin with easier problems that no one will have any issue understanding. Gradually work harder and harder problems from your book and check your answer for each one. After working a dozen or more problems from the section (two dozen is best), you are ready to move on to the next section. Many students want to plow though a lesson just to make it to the next one. You cannot just read a section in a Math book and become an expert on that section. You must work problems. If you can't work problems then you are not ready to move on. The good news is that working problems will build your confidence, and confidence is 100% the name of the game in Math. 3) If someone asks you for help, try to explain the topic to them as best you can. This one is going to seem a little odd for this list...but there is one universal truth. Those who can teach others have a true grasp of the material. Many times when studying in groups there will be one member of the group who is behind and doesn't "get it". Try to help that person, even if your own work will take longer. Not only will you feel like you are helping someone else succeed, but the process of rephrasing information back to someone else and breaking things down into bite sized chunks will increase your own understanding. It will help you understand at a fundamental level what the stumbling blocks are for the topic, which will help you as you move on in your math studies. 4) Keep your solutions neat and line-by-line. Always work problems vertically, with one step on every line. Never work horizontally. It may take more paper, but you will be able to follow your steps much more easily. More importantly, the teacher will be able to follow your work much better which allows him/her to give you partial credit. If there are just 2 steps when there should be 10, you will not be getting any points for your thought process. The steps you write down tell the teacher what you are thinking and how you are attacking the problem. 5) Don't work problems very late at night. I know all of the college students will be laughing at this, but it is true. I have tried many, many times to do Calculus or Physics late at night, after 12 or 1am, but you are just doing yourself a disservice. I have stared at problems for hours because I just could not sleep until I knew how to solve it...then I finally fell asleep out of extreme fatigue...but when I woke up it just seemed so simple how to proceed with the problem. Also, I have worked problems at night and got the wrong answer, and I knew I must have a silly mistake in the solution. I would usually set out to find it, but many times when you are tired you simply can't find the silly mistake. The next morning after about 5 minutes I could spot the simple sign error or even a simple multiplication error that caused the problem.  Remember, there is no shortcuts of learning Math. It comes with taking things one step at a time and with practice. The tips above will help you along in your math studies, and give you confidence. And confidence is 100% the name of the game in learning any level of Math.

Read More

How TO Get Rid of "Math Phobia"

 

Why is it that one person enjoys math, while another person hates it?
Why does one child happily and quickly calculate a simple sum, while another won't even attempt it because they're convinced they're simply "no good with numbers"?
The problem certainly isn't caused by lack of intelligence.
In fact there are many examples throughout history of seemingly "stupid" people who could do amazing things with numbers.
  
Take the case of Jedediah Buxton (1702-1772), an illiterate laborer who became famous for his number skills. His employer once asked him:
"In a body whose 3 sides are 23,145,789 yards, 5,642,732 yards, and 54,965 yards, how many cubical eighths of an inch are there?"
Before giving the answer, Buxton asked "which end" of the 28-digit answer he should start at, as he could recite it just as easily forwards or backwards!
Of course, mathematical prodigies are born, not made. But it does beg the question:
"If somebody who can't even read or write is able to perform these kinds of breathtaking calculations, what stops other people from doing even simple sums?"
Clearly, something went wrong along the way.
Young children naturally enjoy numbers. And even people who now have an intense dislike for math often say they once enjoyed it.
What has happened to them is generally an unfortunate event in their past.
Perhaps they were ridiculed for a mistake they made with numbers, in front of the entire class.
Maybe they missed some crucial math lessons and never really caught up.
Or perhaps they were taught to handle numbers mechanically - when what they really needed was some explanation of why the numbers work the way they do.
Whatever the specific reason, bad experiences with numbers left an emotional scar, which developed into a phobia to keep the sufferer safe from further harm.
The point here is that if you have "math phobia" or "math block", it isn't a permanent state of mind.
As a perfectly normal, healthy human being, you can do math and enjoy it as much as anyone.
You can make this change yourself, anytime you want. You just need to ignore the disliking attitude and actually try manipulating a few numbers from time to time.
Start with something easy, like adding small numbers in your head, or on paper if you prefer.
Next time you get some change in the shop, check it's correct. Or better still, reckon up the change you expect while you are waiting to pay.
Avoid perfectionism, especially in the early stages. Realize there are two ways of working with numbers: approximate and exact. Often, an approximate answer is all you need.
For example, when you pick up a grocery item priced at $3.98, just call it "four dollars". The next thing you pick up in the shop is priced at $7.95, so call that "eight dollars". Add them together and you now expect to pay "nearly twelve dollars".
Try it and you'll see how easy it is.
The cure for math phobia is to allow a few numbers back into your life. Don't make a big thing of them, just do whatever you feel comfortable with.
To summarize:
1. Recognize you have an aversion to math, whether it's full-blown math phobia or just a few math blocks here and there.
2. Make a conscious decision to do something about it.
3. Give yourself a regular math workout, however small to start with.
You'll find it all gets easier, and you'll soon enjoy math once again.

                                                              By Kenneth William

Read More

Dos before Attempting Test

Before the test

Most of the students get anxious and confused just before the test. This problem is very much common with the students of all classes. To getrid of this problem the students should take the following steps:

• Make the body relaxed before the test by taking plenty of sleep at night before the test.
• Should have a fully nutrient diet prior to the test.
• Check your I.D., three of four pens & pencils, geometry box, your watch, (and if allowed) a calculator (with freshly installed batteries.)
• Arrive at the test site a little early.

          If you find yourself getting anxious, walk briskly for a few moments to get your heart rate up just a little (this takes the edge off any adrenaline jitters.)
 

For Paper & Pen Test

There is usually a percentage of incorrect answers that are deducted from you total score, so you must be very wise in guessing. Your strategy is to maximize your score in the time permitted, without incurring penalties.
On each section, you will be told how many minutes you have for that section.

• Note what time you start, and figure the time at which you have to complete that section. For example, if you start a section at 8:37 and you have 25 minutes, time will be called at 9:02.
• Now subtract 3 minutes from that time. Write that time down so you will know when you need to stop working problems and start filling in the answer sheet or grid. In our example, that would be 8:59.

As you go through the problems:

• Work in the test book. Use any available blank space for figuring, as needed.
• Circle your answer choice
• Also write the letter of the answer choice next to the problem number.

You will be filling in the answers on the blanks or grid during the last three minutes, so do not put anything on the answer sheet as you are working problems.
Do the problems in three waves:

First wave:

• Do the ones you know how to do and can do quickly.
• Star any problems that you think you know how to do, but will take more time.
• Circle any problems that you don’t know how to do. If it is not a multiple-choice problem, guess. There is no penalty for guessing on these short answer types.

Second wave:

• Return to the problems that you starred. These are the ones that you’re fairly sure you can figure out, but that need more time. Typical of this level of problem would be the ones in which you must try all possible answers to eliminate the incorrect ones.

Third wave:

• Spend what time you have remaining (not including your last three minutes) working on the problems. Up to now, you have maximized your points given the time constraint. On multiple-choice problems, if you can eliminate at least one answer as incorrect, guess. If you cannot eliminate at least one of the choices, it will be better not to guess. If there is no penalty for incorrect responses, then guess freely.

When you have used up all your time but the last three minutes, stop working. Use the last three minutes to fill in your answer sheet, and check it at least once to be sure you have marked the correct response for each problem. You may be able to check them all twice.
The PSAT and SAT usually have the questions roughly in order of difficulty. If you have 30 questions, you can be pretty sure that by number 18 or so, you will not find but a few problems that you can do very quickly and easily. Keep this in mind as you progress through the problems. If there are 30 questions and you find that number 27 is a "snap," you may be jumping to conclusions and/or not really understanding what the problem is asking. Be very wary of "obvious" answers more than half way through the section. It would be better to mark it with a star and come back to it.
Put down your pencil and relax until the next section. You have done your best.
Try these techniques on the following group of problems.

Read More

How to Conquer Math Anxiety with Technology

For many students, math gives a feeling like to climb a mountain. In the classroom, some students fear being humiliated by the fellow students or teachers if they don’t know how to solve a math problem or come up with the wrong answer. They feel pressured by their teachers, peers, and time constraints. Using technology to learn math removes these barriers and helps students to find their comfort zone. So, it is very necessary for kids to use technology as an educational tool, especially if your kids are having trouble.

It is common for students having trouble or need extra practice before fully understanding a lesson, especially with math. Math lessons follow a progression, so if your kids don’t have a solid understanding of the basics, or if they don’t quite grasp a concept, they may have difficulty later. It’s important to try and identify trouble areas early,

The best way to eliminate math anxiety is to face the exercises in a challenging way. If you find that your children are feeling defeated or afraid before opening a math book, try turning to technology to help them conquer their math fears. Oftentimes, computers can open doors in a way that textbooks can’t. And since computers have endless patience, they promote a can-do attitude instead of resistance.

Technology brings the material to life, making use of sight and sound to create an interactive learning experience. Math lessons which are taught by engaging characters in colorful, fun activities can resolve the problem or anxiety faced by the kids. For example, 3rd grade students learn “Parts of a Set or a Whole” in the Fractions & Decimals chapter as Frank and his pizzeria employees guide them through “Frank’s Fraction Pizzeria.”

Read More

Developing Math ABCs

A basic math ABCs/knowledge is vital for children to get success. Without basic math skills, children will always have a lot of trouble in school and afterwards. Students with weak basic math skills always find the subject increasingly confusing and difficult (and get poor grades). You might notice that your child starts to develop math anxiety. When a child develops a basic math ABCs/knowledge, you'll be amazed at how the stress caused by poor math skills disappears. You might even hear your child say that math is fun! Building a basic Knowledge in math requires a systematic approach. Too many children do not get the broad introduction and ongoing practice that builds confidence and deep understanding. The primary mistakes that parents make in teaching/coaching math are:

1. having too narrow a focus. Parents tend to overemphasize
arithmetic and overlook the other math areas
 2. reviewing math concepts out of sequence.

 In this article we will discuss what is an adequately broad approach for teaching and learning math, an online learning system, provides such a foundation for each grade.

Read More

Why Maths

Mathematics requires collecting,illuminating and organizing thoughts, finding out what is known and not known, and planning to solve a problem, so does writing. Writing in mathematics can help students make sense of the processes and help teachers understand what students are learning.

Read More