How to tutor Math
Ahh math. The first thing I like to do when tutoring a new student that we will be tutoring in Math is get them to take an assessment test. This allows me to get a feel of where they are and what they may need help with. I also like to get a general feel of how their current teacher teaches them Math. This is important especially since you don’t want to teach them how to do something and their teacher teaches them to do it in a different way… that would just cause a lot of confusion. If the student doesn’t really know how their teacher teaches it is perfectly ok to give the teacher a call.
You can say something like: Hi. I’m tutoring Johnny and just want to make sure our tutoring complements your teaching. Could you let me know how you teach him to do fractions… etc.
This link has a nice assortment of tests –
http://math.about.com/od/mathtests/Math_Tests_and_Assessment_Samples.htm
Some different state tests – I always do a couple – the grade they’re in. If they do great then do the next grade, if not (they don’t do well) then do the previous grade.
Here are a couple of sites that will give you some ideas for teaching Math –
http://www.homeschoolmath.net/teaching/teaching.php
I like this site because it allows you to try a few different things – I like this section of the article –
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The child needs to know the basic addition and multiplication facts very well, or she will have difficulties with fractions, decimals, etc. These basic facts need to be known by heart.
One of the best ways to start children with math is to have them skip-count up and down from a very young age. Use a number line to show what the ‘skips’ or steps mean. if your child can master the skip counting by twos, threes, fours, etc., she has learned a lot about addition and later on multiplication tables will be an easy fare! See also this article How to drill multiplication tables.
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I like this artice – http://letsplaymath.net/2008/05/06/struggling-math-student/
Tips for teaching someone who is struggling with Math. Also recommend these books if you have someone that is having a hard time with Math –
Go to the library and check out Family Math if they have it, or The I Hate Mathematics! Book or Math For Smarty Pants, for a more interesting approach to mathematical thinking. Order them through library loan if you have to. Play around with math for awhile before you attempt to do textbooky work again.
One thing I like to show students is how you use Math even when you get out of school and aren’t an engineering major you’ll still use Math all of the time.
Note – these are just ideas to help you out. If you have any methods you would like to share we would love to hear from you. Just send us your comments using the form below.