The primary Math education is a key determinant and I must say the very foundation of the computational and analytical abilities a student requires for a strong secondary education. It is the very base on which secondary education is built on. This is why it is mandatory that the teaching techniques and methods we employ as teachers and educators be of such rich quality that the development of a child with respect to his mathematical abilities be wholesome, practical and balanced.
Being a Math teacher is not easy. It is usually the favourite of a few and the nemesis of many. It has been observed that children mostly try to escape doing Math work. While there is a section of students who absolutely love mathematics enough to pursue a career in it, many students live in fear of it. Today we are going to give our teachers some helpful tips and tricks to make teaching math an enjoyable and interesting experience not only for the kids.
20 Tips and Tricks to Teach Mathematics at the Primary Level
- Ambience plays a very significant role. It is your responsibility to see that a classroom is properly ventilated with ambient light.
- Ensure that Mathematics class is neither before lunch break (when children concentrate more on the Tiffin than studies) nor the last period where students wait more for the bell to ring (not to mention start feeling sleepy!) Keep Math class when the children are active and fresh.
- Cultivate the students’ interest in Mathematics by letting them know about the power, structure and scope of the subject.
- Hold the students’ attention from the get go! Introduce the topics with some fun facts, figures or interesting trivia
- Chalk out the lesson plan effectively keeping time and content allotment in mind
- Use audio and visual aids wherever possible
- Draw on the board if required (especially, lessons like geometry, shapes and symmetry)
- Call students to work on the blackboard (engagement of every child is necessary and not just a select few!)
- Ask for a student’s opinions and thoughts on concepts and mathematical ideas.
- Give them time to discuss important concepts and study the text of the chapter too before taking on the problems themselves.
- Teach more than one way or approach to solve a problem.
- Give regular homework exercises making sure that the questions are a mixed batch of easy, medium and difficult) Children should not feel hopeless. Easy problem questions evoke interest.
- Reward them! Whenever students perform well, be generous and offer them an incentive to continue working harder.
- Let children enjoy Mathematics and not fear it.
- Instill in them the practice to do mental math.
- Also, never give a lot of homework. Children are already burdened with assignments to work at home in almost all school subjects, it is thus your duty to make sure that the homework you delegate to them is fair sized or little. (This trick will inculcate in them the motivation to complete math homework first)
- Present challenging questions to students so as to develop their analytical and deduction abilities
- Keep taking regular tests to cement knowledge.
- Teach at a consistent pace. Do not rush with any topic. Before proceeding, be confident that the students are clear with the prior topics.
- Play games to create a fun filled classroom teach and learning experience.