5 Ways To Improve Math Instruction.

 I suspect many of you are like me in that you are always looking out for ways to improve your instruction technique since not everything works well with your students and what works seems to change from year to year.  These suggestions are made by teachers who have used them rather than the administration trying to find another magic program to boost test results.

1.  It is important to teach vocabulary in context.  Many elementary teachers teach students that less than means subtraction but depending on context, it could mean an inequality rather than subtraction.  Even then it might mean subtracting the first number from the second such as 3 less than x where it is x - 3, not 3 - x. 

It is suggested that when working word problems, divide students into groups of two. Have the stronger reader, read the word problem and then have the other child summarize the problem. Next both students use the summary to decide what operations and steps are needed to solve the word problem. The summaries help students understand the problem and helps them avoid trying to use all the numbers in some way.

2. Use the Concrete Representational Abstract method of teaching which has teachers making sure students have the concepts that are prerequisites to the new concept. The teacher begins teaching students the concept using some form of concrete representation such as manipulatives. Then the teacher moves from the manipulatives to a representational form such as a drawing to represent the concept.  Finally, the teacher moves to the symbolic stage using symbols such as numbers, operations, etc to show the same concept so the teacher takes the student from manipulatives to mathematical symbols.

3. Don't avoid some sort of project based learning because the project helps students deepen their conceptual knowledge of various mathematical topics.  Furthermore, it gives students a chance to see how the math is actually applied in a real life situation.  Up until I attended a presentation on piecewise functions, I'd never seen a real life situation so I didn't know that a piecewise could be used to track the price of a postage stamp.  

4. Find a way to make the math culturally relevant. This might mean helping students see a connection with their community so they develop a personal connection.   I work in Alaska and there was a program done up at the University of Fairbanks where they took Native math knowledge and created lessons from that.  They worked with elders and others to create the lessons and I use them in my classroom since many of my students can relate to the material. 

5. Always break the material down into smaller chunks to make it easier for students to learn.  I know that some of those pacing charts just don't work with most of the students I teach because they shut down if I try to present too much at once.  Research shows, students learn the material better if if it chunked rather than done all at once.

These are just five easy ways to improve your math instruction.  They don't take much but are easy.  On Monday, I'll talk about project based learning ideas to integrate into your math class.  Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear.  Have a great day.