9 Tips to Improve Your Math Skills

1.  Be active.  Math takes practice.  You learn math by doing. 

2.  Math builds on itself.  For example, you must know addition to learn multiplication.

3.  Take time outside of class to practice what you learned in class.  You can use your math textbook to practice.

4.  Show your work.  This helps you find your mistakes and it reinforces the process of how to solve the problem.

5.  Make the problem meaningful by drawing and creating tables. 

6.  Identify the question in a word problem, then  pick out the key information you need to solve the problem. 

7.  Try to explain the problem in your own words and talk yourself through it.

8.  Start studying early.  Practice math problems days before the test.

9.  Use your textbook, teacher, and internet resources to assist you. 

Helpful Math Websites: 
http://www.purplemath.com/
http://www.brightstorm.com/

ACT Math Strategies

1. Answer what you know first. All questions are worth the same, so don't waste time on material you have not learned.


2. Underline important information in the questions and read the questions two or three times.

3. Look over the answer choices before solving the problem. The answer choices will often help guide you in how to set up the problem.

4. Be sure to answer the question. Sometimes you will be given a lot of information to solve a simple one step problem. Circle the question to help you stay focused on the question.

5. Guess and check. Use the guess and check method you learned in elementary school. Sometimes you may be able to find your answer by plugging in the answer choices.

6. Guess if you don't know the answer. There is no penality for wrong answers. Don't leave any answer blank.

7. Draw pictures to find your answer. This helps expeciallly when solving geometry problems.

8. Figures are not always drawn to scale. Use the information given in the question to determine the actual size of the objects.

9. Mark the questions you skip, so you won't forget to go back to them.

10. Show your work. You may get an answer that is not one of the answer choices. That is when you can go back and look at your work to find your mistake.

11. Carefully read all instructions.

Dan Meyer: Math class needs a makeover | Video on TED.com

Dan Meyer: Math class needs a makeover Video on TED.com

Socialized Schools

     I work for a virtual charter school as a special education teacher during the day and I tutor after school and in the evenings.  My husband works with home school and virtual school students during the day.  He assist them with their course work as well as teach courses as needed.  Many times students who attend a virtual school or home school are asked, "How do you make friends?" "What about the prom?"  "How do you socialize?"  Here is a shocker, school is not for socialization. Friends and socialization are a by product of school. The purpose of school is to receive an education. It is nice to make friends and socialize along the way, but a child can learn social skills at home.  Most children are involved in activities outside of school, including church, sports, civic organizations, etc.
     Think for a moment the reason you go to work.  Do you go to work to make friends?  Did you choose your career because you thought it would be the quickest and best way for you to increase the number of friends you have on facebook?  Most of us choose our careers and go to our jobs out of necessity.  Many of us may enjoy working and want to continue working.  The main purpose of a job for most people is to make money to pay bills.  We also use our money for entertainment.  I have never paid my employer for letting me work.  I work and my employer gives me a pay check.  The purpose of school is to prepare people for the world of work and create productive citizens.
     Some believe school should be enjoyable and create well rounded individuals.  Others believe school is just another requirement like paying taxes.  While others believe academics should be the main focus of an educational institution.  There are many views on how to educate, but the purpose of education and school should not be as broad.  The purpose of a school is to educate people.  School and education is what you choose to put into it.  If you want a school to improve your child's social skills and character then put him in a school that has a good character education program, but please do not complain about his math skills if your priority is for him to have a good time in school. 
     Our education system is a direct reflection of our values.  If you value something you will take care of it.  We need to take care of our education system and value education if we want the system to improve.  It is what we make it.  You make the choice of what type of education you would like for your child to receive and be an advocate for your child's educational needs.  Let your local school board and representatives know your values on education.  Talk to your friends.  Find the right school for your child.  Many states now have school choice in form of charter schools and some have a voucher system.  Most of all, let your child know the value of a good education. 

Becky Matthews, M.Ed.