Due to the recent decade’s drastic global changes, the educational process has rapidly evolved to meet contemporary norms and improve students’ learning experiences. In the XXI century, a child-centered approach to learning has become the core of pedagogy and is frequently applied worldwide. Modern education teaches kids how to make decisions, think logically, and express their views instead of focusing solely on a subject. It is not unexpected that elementary school math classes have been completely modified in terms of activities, teaching methods, communication, and overall pedagogical approach.
So, what magical contemporary math techniques should any math teacher apply to make their lessons even more productive and engaging? Modern scientists identified the 9 most effective methods elaborated specially for current elementary schoolers.
1. Individualized approach
Appropriately tailored personalized math lessons can work miracles with kids’ math knowledge and skills based on a student’s needs and abilities. Schoolers gain control over the learning process and can rapidly increase the rate of their achievements. No matter what type of math courses your kid prefers, offline and online techniques involving personalized tutoring are highly effective. Children get acquainted with the investigation methods when looking for an answer to open-ended math questions, learn to think logically and express their views. Moreover, elementary schoolers can switch between the activities and choose the ones they prefer the most.
2. Interactive lessons
With the emergence of the Internet, elementary school math lessons have turned into exciting and cognitive time-spending. A tutor may use multiple visual materials with just one click. Visual presentation of new concepts contributes much to deeper understanding as online tools ensure various ways to demonstrate new ideas within a wide range of interactive activities.
Video games can also be of great help. Numerous online activities develop kids’ imagination and showcase math as an exciting adventure full of breathtaking quests. Online mathematics help for kids combined with offline group activities can assist a tutor of an elementary school in instilling love in this subject from an early age.
3. Discussions and brainstorming
Individualized lessons have proved effective; however, good old teamwork cannot be left aside. Teamwork encourages kids to communicate with each other and thus learn faster. Various discussions, group work, role play, and brainstorming encourage students to share their standpoints and not to be afraid to disagree with their mates. Moreover, while group discussions, assimilation of material happens faster as both visual and active listening techniques are used.
4. Establishing a connection between math and everyday life
Elementary schoolers need to understand how math can be used in daily activities and help them in life. This technique will grow kids’ motivation and inspire them to learn. Children can share their dreams about future professions, while a tutor can explain how math will help them develop necessary skills and reach their goals.
Learning techniques based on real-world projects are perfect for elementary schoolers. Kids practice applying math skills to overcome everyday challenges and prepare themselves for entering the workforce.
5. Development of critical thinking
When kids realize the reasoning of solutions, this proves their in-depth understanding of a topic. A method of engaging students to think critically and share their opinions is one of the most effective approaches for elementary schoolers. Motivating students not just to find an answer but to provide a step-by-step explanation of this solution leads to the emergence of more ways to solve a particular math problem and enriches kids’ math knowledge.
6. Evaluation
A tutor should perform the role of a guide in kids’ math journey. It can be challenging to learn how to come up with the solution, enter the discussion, share their views, and brainstorm. That is why elementary schoolers long to get approval or reasonable feedback on their work. Any instructions on how students can improve their skills are also vital.
Evaluation should be given directly by a tutor to a kid, mainly during a one-to-one conversation. Teacher-parent communication is also crucial when it comes to kids’ math skills development. Moreover, the above communication techniques help a tutor understand children’s goals and learn their needs to set future objectives and apply appropriate teaching techniques.
7. Celebration of success
Progress rewarding is an essential matter for all students. Elementary schoolers need the recognition of their small victories to become even more motivated for future challenges. No matter what activities kids are dealing with, tests, individual projects, or just a question-answer game, an approach when a tutor sees their success and celebrates them it encourages kids to work even harder. Math classes can turn into adventurous games where you become a winner in the end and get your desired prize.
8. Systematic approach
Mathematics is a set of ideas tightly connected. When elaborating on lesson plans, a tutor is highly advised to explain each new concept based on previous knowledge. Thus, instructors demonstrate clear liaisons between math topics and help kids build logical chains.
A consistent reference to the previous topics contributes to better absorption of the material so that kids could apply the gained knowledge when dealing with any math topic throughout the learning process.
9. Experiments with tutoring techniques
Math learning process is never easy, but with proper teaching techniques applied it is always exciting. When a tutor tends to experiment with teaching methods, they are able to identify how to capture kids’ attention faster and more effectively. Any default teaching models can be adapted to the needs and goals of a separate group or an individual if a teacher is flexible enough and feels confident with switching between the tutoring methods.
