All About Getting Help for Students Weak in Math
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Yup. If it is just about doing and doing, all parents just need to go Popular bookstore:) Time has changed, approach must change also.
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Yup. If it is just about doing and doing, all parents just need to go Popular bookstore:) Time has changed, approach must change also.
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Practice is important in Math, but practising without guidance can be ineffective and even discouraging for some.
I guess that’s why tuition centers and private tutors are still thriving businesses in Singapore.
But what about using technology? With the ease of internet access & widespread use of technology like youtube, is there a place for technology to give some effective guidance without the hassle & cost of tuition classes? -
It is not about practicing a lot, is understanding.
If you practice a lot and just memorise without understanding, the best grade for O level Mathematics is just A2 and usually it will be a B.
My students told me stories of uncles and aunties who advice my students to do their TYS five times or more.
Two reasons why it would not work is TYS is really ten years series nowadays, in the past it was twenty years of papers to do. Secondly, they are encouraging kids to think so they do not repeat the same stuff that much. I did my TYS once but I make sure I understand what I am doing, and no matter how they change the question, I can do it. I scored an A1.
Giving tons of homework will make the student lose interest in the subject, give them homework and maybe some extra practice for them to do it if they want to. If you give a few questions, there is a higher chance they will do the few questions and put in efforts.
Reasons for tutors is children can’t learn in school due to environment or teachers . tutors provide summaries and short cuts as they are focusing on the subjects. Some children feel awkward asking questions in school. Some children just need someone, like a good friend plus tutor to chat and study with them. Some children need a strict tutor who will drill the concepts into them. Some children need to do things repetitively to remember. Some children get bored easily so they cant do repetitively. Some Children need everything in proper presentation and step by step to understand. Some children want to learn the shortcut and feel happy if they can do things faster than other children. Some do not need a tutor because they prefer to figure things out themselves, some need a strict tutor, some need a friendly tutor which they can look up to.Different children need different method so a lot of effort have to put into understanding the child before deciding which is the best method. -
Mine also the same. This year primary 4. Don’t seems to understand Maths!!! She did not even pass a paper since school reopen. Had change her from private to group tuition then to private again. She dont seems to understand at all. I am at a loss too… Haiz
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Yeosayfen:
Mine also the same. This year primary 4. Don't seems to understand Maths!!! She did not even pass a paper since school reopen. Had change her from private to group tuition then to private again. She dont seems to understand at all. I am at a loss too..... Haiz
Don't be disheartened. DS was like that in P4. It took him a whole year before he finally understood what was taught during that year. I found this out when I was doing the same assessment book again with him during last Dec hols and miraculously he could do it.
Other than tuition, do you get her to practice Math? With DS, I was studying together with him. When he falters with certain questions, I assessed if it was within his ability to grasp the concept. If I don't think he can manage it, I move on. No point harping on the same problem cos the kid simply won't \"see\" it.
There are assessments that cover basics. Start with that first. I'm doing this with DS now. And then throw in some challenging questions to keep the brain juices flowing. IMHO, private tuition gives the child the foundation and helps with challenging concepts. If you have the time, you can help to ensure the foundation is reinforced with daily revision. -
bb_ mom:
Yes, for some children who are weak in Maths they may 开窍 (become enlightened) almost like a miracle after a period of constant practice. Important thing is not to give up.Yeosayfen:
Mine also the same. This year primary 4. Don't seems to understand Maths!!! She did not even pass a paper since school reopen. Had change her from private to group tuition then to private again. She dont seems to understand at all. I am at a loss too..... Haiz
Don't be disheartened. DS was like that in P4. It took him a whole year before he finally understood what was taught during that year. I found this out when I was doing the same assessment book again with him during last Dec hols and miraculously he could do it.
Other than tuition, do you get her to practice Math? With DS, I was studying together with him. When he falters with certain questions, I assessed if it was within his ability to grasp the concept. If I don't think he can manage it, I move on. No point harping on the same problem cos the kid simply won't \"see\" it.
There are assessments that cover basics. Start with that first. I'm doing this with DS now. And then throw in some challenging questions to keep the brain juices flowing. IMHO, private tuition gives the child the foundation and helps with challenging concepts. If you have the time, you can help to ensure the foundation is reinforced with daily revision.
When a question seems hard and unsolvable, instead of giving up do try the question for a bit longer. Even if cannot get the full answer, at least maybe can come up with some workings. Never leave the question blank if possible. It is like running 2.4km, usually when very tired, it is still possible to run a bit more.
Just an inspirational story, hope it helps:
One of my students failed Maths from Sec 3 to Sec 4 (have never passed a single test or exam), but with constant effort and self-motivation managed to get A2 for E Maths at O level. The level of self-motivation was so high that he even requested for extra homework by himself, not by the parent. (Very few students will do that.) Currently doing well in JC. -
Most of the tutors here are not familiar with Dyscalculia and will not be able to help them. They can help weak students who do not have this issue. If you suspect your child has Dyscalculia, going to a ‘normal’ tutor is a waste of time and money. The child needs to be tested by a psychologist. MOE can give extension of time but no exemption (like MT) is available. These children are not dumb but PSLE is unforgiving and they needs to score 20 marks to clear PSLE and slowly move into a world where there is no maths.
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mathtuition88:
Such stories give me hope for my son.
One of my students failed Maths from Sec 3 to Sec 4 (have never passed a single test or exam), but with constant effort and self-motivation managed to get A2 for E Maths at O level. The level of self-motivation was so high that he even requested for extra homework by himself, not by the parent. (Very few students will do that.) Currently doing well in JC.
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Hi All,
I am not a parent myself, rather, an ex teacher who has turned into a full time tutor. Not here to sell my service but to share my thoughts with parents who are worried and perhaps helpless to help them ease their minds.
As a teacher, I have a fair share of experience teaching children from all ability levels and I'd like to share my thoughts and findings from teaching children who seem like they cannot grasp mathematical concepts.
It is heartening to see children achieve a jump in grades after a month to a term help and of course, I'd also experienced confusion and anxiety when my students do not show an increase in their scores on their exam papers.
We are all born unique in our own ways with strengths and weaknesses. It may not be the child's strength in Math and they may take longer than those who can understand it on the first explanation. Our education system and assessment is not a fair one. In fact, it is one that aims to fit all. I recall seeing a picture with a man sitting behind a table and saying 'The test for all of you is to climb the tree behind' to a seal, monkey, leopard, goldfish and elephant. We are all like the animals. Not all of us may do well in this system.
Yes we still need to work hard hoping to achieve better results. Yet I'd always believe to first improve the child's efficacy in order to take a greater leap to obtaining better results.
Improving child's efficacy is to give him/her tasks s/he can do easily before giving him/her greater challenge. This boosts his/her self-esteem and builds morale.
Patience is definitely the key to seeing your child make improvement. Do not only focus on the overall result. Focus on the ability to solve questions s/he wasn't able to solve before and celebrate (I don't mean to throw a party) small winning like this by praising and positive gestures. All these are baby steps to doing better.
With all these said, we cannot deny the biological factor at work. We may grow physically. Yet, certain parts of our brain may not develop at the same speed as other parts. There are certain parts in our brain which help us to perform better linguistically, mathematically, musically etc. The child may be a late-bloomer due to his/her development in the brain which we have no way to tell visually.
Learning is a lifelong journey. I got only a B for PSLE Math but A1 for my Maths for O level and tertiary education. My mentor when I was teaching in school was a U grader for Math in primary school. She is now a Senior Teacher who won Pedagogy Award for teaching Mathematics in the cluster. :rahrah:
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