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The Parent’s Guide To Dropkick Math Academy

The Parent’s Guide To Dropkick Math Academy

Is your child tired of boring and repetitive math drills? Are you looking for a fresh and exciting way to improve their skills and make learning more fun? Look no further than Dropkick Math Academy! Our innovative platform offers a unique mix of gameplay elements and real-world problem-solving, making math fun and engaging for students in grades 4 – 9. 

With personalized lesson plans, in-depth progress tracking, and a vibrant online community, Dropkick Math Academy is the perfect tool to take your child’s math abilities to the next level. We are an alternative to other online math tutors as we focus on the fundamental misunderstandings your child may have in math and can provide them with the skills they need to keep advancing. We work with your child and yourself to understand the underlying problems rather than just focusing on helping them through the material they are learning at school.

Game-Based Learning

As mentioned, Dropkick Math offers a fun and engaging way of learning mathematics. Part of our educational experience includes game-based learning. This means that once your child begins our programs, you may hear them speak about their “battle pack,” or about “levelling up.” This is all part of our curriculum-aligned games that will help to boost your child’s confidence and improve their math skills. 

But Dropkick Math is so much more than just a game. We are the newest online math tutor available to help your child with any gaps they may have in their education. Owned and operated by certified Ontario teachers, we offer a learning platform that is dedicated to improving children’s achievements in math. With programs for children in grades 4 – 9, we focus on the four pillars of math to ensure every child learns the fundamentals of mathematics so they can be successful for years to come. 

How Does Dropkick Math Work?

The first step is to register your child with Dropkick Math. Upon registration, your child will need to take our early indicators assessment tool so we can determine which program will be best suited for their needs. They will then be placed in a class with no more than three other students. We keep our classes small so our teachers can spend more time with each student. 

Before your child’s class starts, they will receive their battle kit in the mail, which will help with their game-based learning at Dropkick Math. This battle kit will contain math manipulatives, a mini-whiteboard, and any other components needed for their particular program. 

You will receive an email from their teacher with all the necessary information, including the dates and times of all classes and the Google Meet link your child will need to attend their virtual class. Once they join their first class, they will be introduced to the math learning techniques that will help build their confidence and make learning math easier and more understandable. 

Each week, teachers will add to your child’s battle pack challenges to be completed for battle points. Once they meet again for their next class, they should be ready for more battle training and become a math dropkicker. Children are encouraged to review feedback from previous battles and fix any mistakes they made or even attempt more problems to earn battle points. Battle points add up to a reward at the end of the program, so students will most likely be eager to earn as many as possible. 

Parents will receive feedback after the 6th session. This feedback will include comments about any areas for improvement or boosts of confidence in math skills. 

Dropkick Math Programs

At Dropkick Math Academy, we offer various programs to fit every child’s needs. Each program is filled with different worlds for your child to explore. Each has its own characters and quests to accomplish. 

Younger children will start with our operations programs, where they will set sail and embark on an adventure in the Seas of Perseverance and take on the dreaded Math Pirates! Or, they may find themselves on the distant planet of Eldamore in a galaxy far far away. 

Children who may need some extra help with fractions will suit up as they battle against Knights and Sorcerers to bring mathematical order to King Array’s Whole Table. Or those who have a gap in learning algebra may find themselves on the algebra task force, battling it out in the dark world. 

Parent/Guardian Involvement

Parents/Guardians are encouraged to join the classes with their children as we believe that great success can be achieved by learning together! Active participation in a child’s education is crucial for their academic success and overall development. Education experts have found that parental involvement leads to higher grades, improved behaviour in school, and greater education aspirations for the child. Additionally, parents play a key role in instilling important values like hard work, determination, and self-discipline. 

Our tailored programs are specifically created for students and their parents/guardians to work together on understanding the building blocks of mathematics. After each class, parents are able to meet with their child’s teacher and get weekly feedback. 

If the parent or guardian is not able to attend each week, it’s important to remember that parental involvement can take many forms, but the end goal remains the same: giving children the tools they need to thrive in their education and beyond.

Building A Foundation of Knowledge

With Dropkick Math, students can eliminate homework struggles and build a foundation of knowledge and confidence in math that will last a lifetime. By focusing on the foundational concepts (number sense, operational sense, algebraic reasoning, and proportional reasoning), our engaging, innovative programs help students fully understand critical concepts that are the base fundamentals of mathematics. 

For parents who may be looking for math programs in Toronto, Dropkick Math Academy has classes taught by certified teachers who can offer differentiated approaches, making it accessible for all learning needs. So, why not use Dropkick Math to make math fun for kids and to support their learning? Get started by learning more about our programs, and register your child today!

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Why Collaboration Is Important In Learning

Why Collaboration Is Important In Learning

In order for children to learn and grow, it is important for them to engage in collaborative activities. Collaboration allows children to develop social skills, learn how to work with others, and think outside of the box. Students can share ideas, solve problems together, and build relationships with classmates through collaboration. 

A World Of Possibilities

When children connect with other people’s ideas, they are opened up to a world of possibilities for collaboration and creativity. When they can share their ideas, it gives children the opportunity to offer their own perspectives and viewpoints. This can help them to solve problems more effectively.

As a teacher, I often witness children working together towards a common goal and developing a sense of trust and camaraderie that can last a lifetime. When students collaborate effectively, they are able to accomplish more than they could on their own. By working together, students can achieve more than they ever thought possible.

For these reasons, it is easy to see why collaboration is an important part of the learning process. 

A Study In Collaboration

An interesting study by Uri Treisman, a mathematician at the University of Texas at Austin, helped to show how collaboration can be effective in the learning process. Uri began his study after noticing that 60 percent of African American students who took calculus at the University of Berkley, California, failed their classes. He began to look at more university data and found that no Chinese American students were failing calculus, so he asked the question: What is the difference between these two cultural groups that could be causing this discrepancy in learning?

It was found that the difference between the two groups was how they studied. African American students tended to work alone in their dormitory rooms, where they struggled with problems on their own. In contrast, Chinese American students worked on their assigned math problems in their dormitories and in dining halls, working collaboratively with other students. 

As part of the study, Uri and his team of researchers set up workshops where African American students could work on math problems together. Results showed that the improvement in academic achievement was significant. Within two years, the failure rate of African American students dropped to zero, and they even started outperforming their peers. 

The outcome of this research showed how students had to be “taught” how to collaborate with each other. This speaks volumes about how we may be missing out on teaching a valuable skill in our elementary and high schools. Uri and his research team are right to point out that success in college and University requires working with others and good communication. This is a valuable skill that is not only needed in education but beyond in society. 

Alone In Their Struggle

As we know, with math anxiety, children give up on mathematics because they find it difficult and think they are alone in their struggle. By encouraging children to work together on math problems, we may help them see that others may find some or all of the work difficult too. This critical lesson allows children to understand that learning is a process and that obstacles are common. 

Having children work together or with a parent/guardian can give them an opportunity to connect ideas. Collaborating with others and learning about their ideas can develop a higher level of understanding. When students see another way of learning, they get opportunities to make connections between valuable ideas throughout life. 

Collaboration in Dropkick Math

When a child can connect with someone else’s ideas, they can enhance their brain, perspective, and understanding. At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe collaboration is vital to learning. We encourage students to offer ideas in our live sessions and create a comfortable environment for them to work through problems with their peers. 

We also believe that including the parent/guardian in our math tutoring program is essential for a child’s success.  By being actively involved and setting high expectations for their child, parents can help guide them towards having high values of doing well in school. 

Involving The Parent/Guardian

Math can be a difficult subject for many students, and it can be easy for parents to fall into the mindset that they “just don’t get it.” However, by learning math alongside your child, you can become a role model for them and show them that math is something that everyone can understand with a little effort. Just like when they collaborate with their peers, children can gain a lot when working alongside a parent or guardian. Connecting ideas with your child gives them a chance to look at problems differently and work through gaps in learning using alternative methods. It may also help boost their confidence in mathematics when they work alongside a parent, and they may start understanding math concepts better. 

Collaborating with your child will not only help improve your child’s math skills, but it will also give you a chance to bond with them over a shared experience. Additionally, you may be surprised at how much you enjoy math once you give it a try! 

Learn more about our math help services today and how we can help your child. We focus on math for grades 4 to 9 and currently work with various school boards across Ontario to offer subsidized programs. Click to learn if your child qualifies as part of Ontario’s Learning Action Recovery Plan. 

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How Absence Rates Over The Past Two Years Have Affected Students

How Absence Rates Over The Past Two Years Have Affected Students

COVID has had a significant impact on our schools and education. One of the most visible effects has been the increase in school absences. Recent data shows that school absence rates have spiked in recent years, which has clearly impacted student performance. Schools are now struggling to find ways to deal with the potential influx of absences if an increase in COVID is seen again this year. Some schools are considering online learning again, while others are looking at ways to increase classroom sizes. 

With so many children missing days of learning, something needs to be done to ensure they stay on track. The Ontario government has stepped in with their Learning Action Recovery Plan, subsidizing outside help, including math tutoring services. Whatever the solution, it is clear that COVID has brought the issue of school absences into sharp focus.

Last Year’s Absence Rates

While the new school year has just started, the absence rates from last year are troubling. More than 300 Ontario schools reported student and staff absences of more than 30 percent on average. The data from the last school year did include all absences, not just those that might be related to COVID-19, so it is difficult to gauge the impact of the pandemic. Other than COVID-related absences, weather or technical errors were among the other reasons for staff and children not being recorded as being present. However, no matter the reason, student absences have been on the rise and are causing problems.

The bulk of the news coverage around student absenteeism over the past school year centred around the challenges of reaching students remotely. Students were missing classes because they lacked a digital device at home, or a reliable internet connection, while for other students, the pandemic forced them into childcare responsibilities that made attending school a lower priority than usual. Teachers also reported that taking attendance in remote learning was more difficult. 

The “New Normal”

With schools being forced to close and virtual classrooms becoming the “norm” over the past couple of years, children have had to adapt to a new way of learning. They have also gotten used to missing lessons or days on end of schooling. 

Before COVID, it would be an extreme problem if a child was absent for so many days, but now with the threat of COVID, it is all par for the course. But what does this mean for children? How is their absence or their teacher’s absence affecting their learning?

Research shows that children’s education has been greatly affected by the pandemic. While it is too early to tell exactly what aspect has led to this missed learning, we can only assume that absence rates play a large role. If a student isn’t in a classroom (virtual or real), it is impossible for them to learn. 

Home Schooling

While some parents have been able to homeschool their children, others have not had the time or resources to do so. As a result, many children have missed out on critical instruction and interaction with their peers.

One of the most important aspects of getting an education is peer interaction. Children learn social skills and how to interact with others when they are in a classroom setting. They also benefit from the instruction of a teacher. When children are not in a classroom, they miss out on these important aspects of their education, and as a result, many children have faced a gap in learning during the pandemic. While some parents have done an admirable job of homeschooling their children, it is clear that for the majority, the best way for children to receive an education is in a classroom setting. 

Learning Growth

Studies are now beginning to show that students’ learning growth over the past couple of years has not progressed as it should, meaning some children have experienced the “COVID slide.” This slide shows that students are ending the school years with lower achievements compared to a typical year, with larger declines relative to historical math trends than reading. Unfortunately, experts warn this will only get worse. Due to the lack of proper education, they expect students’ growth rate in math to slow even more in the next few years. 

Due to this gap in learning, it is vital to get them the help they need now so they can get caught up quicker than expected. With Ontario’s Learning Action Recovery Plan, students are able to get the help they may need to catch up on any missed learning. This plan is designed to help students who have been struggling in school catch up and get back on track. It invests heavily in tutoring support and includes summer learning, a focus on reading, math and other foundational skills, as well as targeted initiatives intended to address unique barriers that some students may face. This will help bridge students’ learning gaps, support academic success, and focus on overall mental health and wellness. Ontario’s plan is based on the latest scientific evidence and will provide Ontario students with the resources they need to succeed.

Filling In Learning Gaps

Dropkick Math is here to help students who may have a gap in their education due to the pandemic. As one of the leading math help services in Ontario, our trained instructors can provide support in key math skills through fun and interactive programs. As part of the Learning Action Recovery Plan, we can also offer our programs to select school boards across Ontario at a subsidized rate.

We are your local choice if you are looking for Waterloo math services! As a local business, we understand our student’s needs and can help boost their confidence in math and set them up for future success. For more information on our programs, visit our website today!

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How Dropkick Math Makes Learning Fun!

How Dropkick Math Makes Learning Fun!

As a parent, you want what is best for your child. You want them to grow up to be happy and prosperous in whatever they choose to do. And you know that a big part of that success is getting a good education. But sometimes, getting your child to do their homework can be a real struggle. They might not be interested in the subject or find it too hard. That’s where Dropkick Math tutoring comes in!

Making Math Fun

As a parent and a teacher, I understand both sides of the struggle. We want the best for our children, but sometimes learning can be dry and unengaging. Let’s face it; we have all struggled with a subject in our life that would have been much better if it was made into something fun. 

When Chad and I were starting Dropkick Math Academy, we were thinking about how math can be so frustrating that you just want to “dropkick” it away and be done. That is how we came up with the concept of a math program that lets children learn mathematics in a fun and engaging way where they can feel like they took on math and won! This is why Dropkick Math focuses on making learning fun through engaging games that encourage children to take risks and earn rewards. 

What is Dropkick Math?

Dropkick Math Academy is an alternative to traditional tutoring. We stand out amongst our competitors for our unique approach to math education. We believe learning math should be fun and engaging, so we focus on building relationships and offer personalized modules matching the student’s understanding level. 

With Dropkick Math, your child can play and learn simultaneously. They’ll never even realize that they’re doing their homework! And because the games are specifically designed to teach math concepts, you can be sure that your child is getting a quality education.

How Dropkick Math Works

Dropkick Math offers a wide variety of modules for kids of all ages, from addition and subtraction for younger kids all the way up to algebra and geometry for older kids. There are even games specifically designed for different learning styles, so whether your child is a visual learner or needs more of a hands-on approach, we’ve got them covered. And because all of the games are played online, you can access them from anywhere with an internet connection. So whether you’re at home or on the go, your child can always be learning.

For each module, children will be assigned battles which contain 6 questions and must meet virtually with their teacher and other students in their battle training for one hour per week. This game-based instructional strategy allows students to level up and earn points toward a reward at the end of the program.

During your child’s journey, they will require tools and strategies to battle the villains they encounter. Each child will receive their math battle kit in the mail before classes begin. They will also have a virtual battle pack which teachers will add to after each battle training session.

At the end of each hour’s timeslot, parents will have the opportunity to meet with the teacher to discuss their child’s progress and to get feedback on how they can help them continue to learn. We believe this is an invaluable part of our programs and encourage parents to become involved in their child’s learning.

We are proud to have a team of passionate, certified Ontario teachers making math education fun for their students. Our programs offer small group virtual programming with a maximum of four students in each module, allowing children to learn in a comfortable and familiar setting while receiving the individualized attention they need to succeed. Our teachers take the time to interact with each student and make their classes exciting so children will want to get involved. 

Why Games?

We believe that games are the best way to learn. Games are fun and engaging, which keeps kids coming back for more. And because they’re competitive, kids are motivated to keep playing until they get it right. With Dropkick Math, learning is no longer a chore – it’s a game! 

As we enter a digital world filled with distractions, math curriculum needs to include solutions for students to be more engaged. Research has shown that brains can be changed entirely and be rewired in as little as eight weeks through participation in effective intervention programs that offer engaging learning experiences. Using games helps to ensure students learn how to be critical, confident and creative—abilities they’ll need for success in the work-a-day world of the future.

However, make no mistake, our games are not purely for entertainment. When a child works on game-based learning, they will just think that they are having fun with the game, but a lot goes into crafting the game as a learning tool. While we want children to have fun, the end goal of our game-based learning is to have children truly understand math operations. When we build our curriculum, we start with core standards and focus on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, algebraic reasoning and proportional reasoning). 

Games For Everyone!

Dropkick Math Academy is the perfect solution if you’re looking for a way to get your child interested in math or if you just want to give them a leg up on their education. We offer fun and engaging programs that can help your child overcome their math anxiety or any gaps in learning they may have. With our wide variety of games, there’s something for everyone.

Our math help services are run by qualified Ontario Certified Teachers who can offer differentiated approaches, making it accessible for all learning needs. Our different approach to traditional math tutoring includes fun and engaging programs to help your child succeed.

So, what are you waiting for? Sign up today and let your child start playing their way to a better education!

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How To Reflect And Grow Into The Next Year

How To Reflect And Grow Into The Next Year

As the new school year begins, many parents are considering how their child can reflect on the past year and grow into the next one. It can be helpful for students to take some time to reflect on their previous year of schooling before diving into a new one. This reflection can take many forms, from writing in a journal to discussing with classmates and teachers. By taking time to reflect on the past year, students can identify their strengths and areas for improvement. 

Students can start the new year with a clear purpose and direction by thinking about what they want to achieve. This self-awareness is essential for growth and development. Additionally, reflecting on the past year can help students set goals for the new school year. For example, a student may wish to take more time to focus on math in the upcoming months, setting their goals on some new math learning techniques. 

Creating A Plan

Ultimately, reflecting on the past year is an excellent way for students to prepare for the new one. While some of this reflection should be done at the end of the school year, doing some self-evaluations at the beginning of the school year can help your child get clarity and reveal opportunities they may not have thought of during the summer months. By understanding their goals for the upcoming year, students can capitalize on their strengths and create a plan for filling any gaps. It can also give insight into how much they have grown during the last school year, giving them confidence once they realize how they have thrived in their educational journey. 

Summer Brain

As a parent, this time of year, it can become frustrating when you ask your child to reflect on the previous year. They are most likely to still have “summer brain,” making it difficult to place and plan effectively. But by helping them stay focused and building on what they learned last year, they may start to open up and discuss how they want to grow into the coming year. 

Start by asking your child simple questions about their favourite subjects and activities that they experienced last year. Remind them of any field trips they took to get them thinking about the fun they had over the past year. You can also ask them about their favourite teachers and what made them stand out among the others. These types of questions can help to start the conversation and enable a child to remember back to the past year. 

Work Through Disappointment

As your child reflects on their past year, they may encounter some disappointments, such as missing out on a field trip or getting a lower grade than expected. Try to reassure them that having an unfinished list is not a failure but an opportunity to work through their feelings of disappointment. Teaching your child how to work through these disappointments can be an essential life skill. 

Children must understand that plans change, everyone processes information differently, and things don’t always go smoothly. Reflecting on these instances over the past year can offer a great life lesson for the years ahead. 

Celebrate Thriving

Just as your child needs to work through their disappointments, they also need to celebrate when they thrived over the past year. They can boost their confidence by marking their achievements and look forward to learning more this coming year. Children often need to be reminded when they have taken that extra step and grown in their learning. Showing them how far they have come can give them the boost they need to look forward to everything new they will be learning next year. 

Encourage your child to keep records of their learning experience. Keeping a journal is a great way to track their progress and help them reflect on all their accomplishments when it comes time. 

Helping Your Child Grow

If your child has expressed an area of struggle from the previous year, it is vital to take steps to help them grow this year. Due to the pandemic, many students are falling behind in mathematics, so your child may express disappointment in their grades, or they may give up on their learning. If you have noticed a change in your child’s attitude towards math, they may suffer from math anxiety caused by a loss of learning from classroom disruptions. 

To help ensure your child is on track, we offer an assessment upon registration to determine any gaps in understanding. If it seems like a child is experiencing gaps in learning, we can recommend a program that will target the missing knowledge. 

Our programs offer engaging games focusing on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, and algebraic reasoning). We want your child to leave our programs saying, “math is fun!” and want to continue learning more advanced math operations. 

Learn more about Dropkick Math and how our programs can help your child excel in mathematics today!

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How The Pandemic Caused The Worst Education Crisis In History

How The Pandemic Caused The Worst Education Crisis In History

It’s been a few years since the pandemic hit, and we are starting to see its effects on education. Schools were closed, children were out of school for extended periods of time, and virtual learning was introduced. This was all done in an effort to keep children safe from the virus. But what about the long-term effects? Are our children worse off now than they were before? In this blog post, we will talk about the worst education crisis in history.

Research is now starting to come forth concerning education and how the pandemic influenced our children. Some parents were happy to keep their children home from school, while others wanted them back in class. No matter what side of the argument you were on, all parents wanted the same thing – for their children to keep up with schooling and not fall behind. To try and keep up with their education, some parents turned to online math help or searched for a tutoring company. 

The Research 

While some educational interventions were able to help keep children on track in the interim, the overall effect of the pandemic is now being recorded as researchers conduct studies. So far, studies are showing that the coronavirus pandemic has caused alarmingly high learning losses in math and reading. This loss of education has been felt worldwide and is now reported as the worst education crisis ever recorded. 

One of the largest studies done to date on the effects of the covid pandemic on school children around the world was conducted by Unicef, UNESCO and The World Bank. The results were published in a new report and attributed school closures as one of the most significant factors in disrupting children’s education across the board from low-income to high-income countries. 

The report found that schools were forced to close quickly and adapt the curriculum to an online learning environment, often leaving teachers without the proper resources or training. Despite the best efforts by schools, the report found that “the deployment, uptake, and effectiveness of such programs has varied greatly, and in most countries, offered an inadequate substitute for in-person learning.” 

In Canadian studies, researchers have found that students who switched between remote and in-person learning had a tumultuous education experience amid COVID-19. Many education advocates are now highlighting the loss in education as a longer-term concern that will persist even after COVID-19 wanes.

Children Who Are Already Struggling

Researchers have noted that these disruptions in education have affected students who were already struggling before the pandemic hit even more than others. This means that for students who were already working through challenges at school, the pandemic made it even more difficult to have an enriching educational experience. 

Even without a pandemic, teachers look for students struggling with learning losses and find ways to work with the child toward eliminating the gap. For some students, this means summer school or after-school tutoring. However, with an added loss of education from the pandemic, the worry is that there is just not enough time or resources for these students to catch up to their peers. 

While Canada has yet to release any official information regarding education loss caused by the pandemic, other countries have the metrics to prove that children have fallen behind where they should be. It has also yet to be determined how this will affect them long-term. Although this is disturbing news, parents need to discuss the loss of education away from their children. Students have been through a lot in the past couple of years, and anxiety may already be high. If they believe they may be at risk of falling behind, it can add extra stress and cause them even more pressure. Just remember that almost every family is in the same boat, and the government is stepping in to help make a difference.  

Ontario’s Learning Action Recovery Plan

As schools scramble to find ways to support learning recovery and work on a further plan to target learning loss head-on, many provinces throughout Canada are offering additional funding to support reading and math for all students. For example, in Ontario, this comes in the form of Ontario’s Learning Recovery Action Plan for Students, which has been designed to help students who have been struggling in school catch up and get back on track. 

As research shows, the pandemic has caused the worst education crisis in history, the question becomes how we fix it and help our children catch up without overwhelming them. Many educators are calling for protecting and increasing investments into education, saying it should be the first among priorities to get the children the help they need. 

FREE Tutoring Services

At Dropkick Math Academy, we couldn’t agree more, which is why we have partnered with various school boards to offer FREE tutoring to students who may be struggling with mathematics. The funding from the provincial government provides opportunities for small group tutoring services offered outside of school hours and on weekends. 

As one of the fastest-growing programs in Ontario aimed at addressing the education gap experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dropkick Math addresses deficiencies while correcting any underlying misconceptions about mathematics. Owned and operated by Ontario teachers, Dropkick math is committed to students’ success in achieving competency in mathematics. 

Our programs allow students to learn foundational math skills and fill in any misunderstandings in mathematics while enabling them to discover new ways of learning while focusing on the four pillars of mathematics (number sense, operational sense, algebraic reasoning and proportional reasoning). Through proven strategies and manipulatives combined with an accelerated learning approach, we help students master math operations while boosting their confidence. 

If you feel your child may have fallen behind because of the pandemic, our programs can help! Learn more about our math tutoring services and how we can help boost your child’s confidence in math.

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Understanding Fact Families

Understanding Fact Families

Many parents remember learning about fact families when they were in first grade. But let’s face it, for many of us, that was long ago! So, for those who don’t remember, fact families establish the relationship between numbers and aid in understanding the logic behind addition and subtraction. 

While fact families are typically introduced in the early years, they are important throughout schooling. By understanding fact families, students can see that there is more than one way to solve a problem and they will use this knowledge as they encounter more complex math operations. However, if an older child has any misunderstandings about fact families, it may hinder their math advancement. So, going back and revisiting fact families may be advantageous. 

Fact Families and Addition & Subtraction Facts

One of the reasons fact families are so important is because they help children learn their addition and subtraction facts. When children first learn these facts, it can be difficult to keep track of all the combinations. However, by grouping them into fact families, children can more easily see the relationships between the different facts. 

A fact family is made up of three numbers and can be made up of at least four math facts. For example, if a child knows that 3 + 4 = 7 then they can also deduce that 4 + 3 = 7 and 7 – 4 = 3 and 7 – 3 = 4. 

You can see that each number bond fact is related to two other facts in the family. In other words, they share two of the same numbers. 

Subtraction can be especially difficult for some students than addition, but fact families can often help. Overall, fact families can be a helpful way for children to remember their facts, especially in the early stages of learning them.

Fact Families and Multiplication & Division Facts

In addition to helping children learn addition and subtraction facts, fact families can also help with multiplication and division. This is because multiplication and division are actually just inverse operations of each other. In other words, if you know one multiplication fact from a fact family, you also know the corresponding division fact. 

For example, if you know that 3 x 4 = 12 then you also know that 12 / 3 = 4 and 4 x 3 = 12 and 12 / 4 = 3. So, by learning one multiplication or division fact from a fact family, a child actually learns three facts! As students see that they can use known facts to find unknown facts quickly, they will increase their fact fluency.

Flexible Thinking

Fact families help children learn to think flexibly about numbers because they see that there is more than one way to make a number using addition or subtraction (or multiplication and division). This is an important skill because it helps children understand that there are often different ways to solve problems. It also helps them learn that numbers can be decomposed and recomposed differently. 

When children understand how fact families work, they can use them to solve problems in different ways. For example, if a child knows that 6 + 4 = 10 then they can also work out that 4 + 6 = 10. So, if they are given the problem ‘find three numbers that add up to ten’ they could list 6 + 4 + 0, 5 + 5 + 0 or 4 + 3 + 3 as solutions, among others. Understanding Fact Families also helps children develop fluency in mental calculation because they can recall part of one fact family to help them solve another problem from the same family. 

Many math learning techniques can help children with mathematics, but combining fact families and mental math is an excellent way to help children succeed in their future. When children can use their knowledge of fact families and solve problems mentally, they are forced to think about the mathematical principles involved in the problem. This helps them to develop a deeper understanding of the concept. 

The Importance Of Fact Families

As you can see, there are many reasons why children need to learn about fact families. If your child is struggling with math, working on memorizing some of the basic addition and subtraction facts from different fact families could be a helpful way to help them improve their skills. Additionally, watching for opportunities to point out related multiplication and division facts will help your child make connections between different concepts which is beneficial for their overall understanding of mathematics.

How To Teach Your Child About Fact Families

Now that you understand more about fact families, it will be easier to help your child understand them. Math manipulatives are a great way to help children better understand fact families. Manipulatives are objects that can be moved or manipulated to help children learn. They come in various shapes and sizes and can be used to help explain everything from basic addition and subtraction to more complex concepts. 

Two-Sided Counters

Two-Sided Counters

Two-sided counters are easy to use and can help explain fact families to younger children. Start by setting out 8 of them. Flip over 3 of them so 3 are yellow and 5 are red. Then, ask your child how much that makes. Write the equation 3+5=8. Continue this with the subtraction equations and other numbers and equations. Ask your child what patterns they see, and help to recognize the fact family. 

At Dropkick Math, we understand the need for students to develop an understanding of fact families. Our math help services allow students to learn foundational math skills and fill in any misunderstandings in mathematics while enabling them to discover new ways of learning. Through proven strategies and manipulatives combined with an accelerated learning approach, we help students master math operations while boosting their confidence. 

We offer an alternative to traditional online math tutors, as all of our classes are taught by certified Ontario teachers who make learning fun. We focus on the root of any mathematical misunderstandings and work with children and their parents to boost confidence in math and understand relationships. 

Learn more about our programs today!

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Why Your Child Should Practice Mental Math

Why Your Child Should Practice Mental Math

As a parent, you want your child to excel in school. You may not realize it, but one of the best ways to help them improve their math grades is to encourage them to practice mental math. Mental math is simply solving math problems in their head without needing paper and a pencil. By using mental math practices, children can understand mathematics better. Here are three reasons why your child should practice mental math.

Greater Understanding

Many math learning techniques can help children with mathematics, but understanding how to do math mentally is one of the top practices to help children succeed in their future. When children can solve problems mentally, they are forced to think about the mathematical principles involved in the problem. This helps them to develop a deeper understanding of the concept. 

For example, when adding two numbers mentally, children must understand that they are combining two groups of objects and that the answer will be the total number of objects in both groups. This understanding is critical for more complex concepts such as multiplication and division.

Become Better Problem-Solvers

Mental math requires children to find creative ways to solve problems. For example, when confronted with a difficult division problem, children may have to think of creative ways to break down the problem into smaller pieces that they can then solve mentally. 

By working through a problem mentally, children can see how the various parts of a problem fit together. This deep understanding will allow them to tackle more complicated problems in the future and will serve them well in all areas of their lives, not just mathematics.

Improve Memory And Concentration

Mental math requires children to remember mathematical principles and formulas while also concentrating on the problem at hand. This focus and concentration will help them remember information better and improve their ability to concentrate on tasks for extended periods of time. All of these skills are important not just for school but for life in general. 

The Research Behind Mental Math

Mental math has been recognized through various studies as a way to help children get a better understanding of mathematics. One such study was published in the journal Cogent Education which analyzed 118 students in grade 5, exploring how mental computation and mathematical reasoning affect each other.

Researchers found a significant positive correlation between mental computation and mathematical reasoning. It was noted that rather than exposing students to familiar math problems, students need to be encouraged to do mental computing on non-routine problems in order to develop their skills. 

Another interesting study from Duke University looked at mental math from a health perspective. All participants in the study had brain scans done after performing mental math. It was found that mental math engages the brain’s prefrontal cortex which has been linked to better emotional health. 

Practicing Mental Math

Practicing mental math with your child is an easy and effective way of learning. When a child is taught rounding, estimating and fact fluency, as well as having them remember and reproduce steps and solutions, they are performing mental math. So, you may already be practicing mental math with your child and not even realize it!

If you are having trouble getting your child motivated to practice mental math, the key may be to make it fun. For example, math problems based on real-life situations can engage students by providing clear, tangible ways to apply knowledge. 

A great way to involve your child and use their mental math skills is by taking them to the grocery store. There are multiple ways they can test their mental math skills by calculating discounts on products, estimating the weight of fruits and vegetables, and even calculating how much meat it will take to feed the family dinner. Not only will your child find the lesson more interesting, but they will understand why it is worth knowing. 

A Valuable Skill

Mental math is a valuable skill that all children should learn. It has been proven to help children better understand mathematical concepts, become better problem-solvers, and improve memory and concentration skills. So encourage your child to put away the calculator and start practicing mental math today!

Mental Math At Dropkick Math Academy

At Dropkick Math, we are an alternative to an online math tutor as we don’t just address the child’s issues at the time. Our certified Ontario teachers get to the root of the misunderstanding and help fill in any educational gaps a child may be experiencing. Part of our curriculum identifies the importance of practicing mental math, and our teachers encourage their students to use mental math skills.

Our programs offer a fun and engaging way of learning, which has been proven to keep children interested and wanting to learn more. By focusing on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, and algebraic reasoning) our students learn the fundamentals of mathematics and build upon their knowledge. 

Dropkick Math Academy offers math programs in Toronto and the surrounding areas. All of our programs offer small-group virtual programming taught by certified Ontario teachers. This allows your child to learn in a comfortable and familiar setting while receiving the individualized attention they need to succeed. Learn more about our programs today!

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5 Tips for Overcoming Math Anxiety

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Math anxiety is a genuine phenomenon affecting many students, no matter their age. It’s a feeling of dread, fear, and apprehension that can overtake anyone when they’re faced with a math problem. For some children, math anxiety is so intense that it can cause them to completely freeze up, making it impossible even to attempt to solve the problem. It is often caused by a fear of failure, self-doubt, and negative past experiences with math. However, parents and children need to remember that everyone experiences anxiety at some point in their lives and that it’s nothing to be ashamed of. 

Many children can overcome their math anxiety by trying different approaches to learning, including taking a brain break, learning a positive mindset or other such modalities. At Dropkick Math, our math tutoring can also help children who may be experiencing math anxiety. All of our programs are run by certified Ontario teachers who have been trained in how to address math anxiety. 

Nervousness vs Anxiety

Some children may get nervous, but for others, it is not simply a matter of feeling nervous. Being nervous is a perfectly sensible reaction to something that is truly scary. In a 1972 Journal of Counseling Psychology article, educational psychologist Frank Richardson and counselling psychologist Richard Suinn defined “math anxiety” as:

“A feeling of tension and anxiety that interferes with the manipulation of numbers and the solving of mathematical problems in a wide variety of ordinary life and academic situations.”

Steps To Overcome Anxiety

If your child is struggling with math anxiety, don’t worry – there are steps they can take to overcome it and improve their performance in math class. Math anxiety can be managed and overcome with practice, patience, and perseverance. With the right support and mindset, anyone can learn to love math. The following are our top 5 tips on how to help your child overcome math anxiety. 

  1. One of the best things your child can do is experiment with different learning methods. Some students learn better by listening to lectures, while others prefer working through problems on their own using math manipulatives. There is no one right way to learn mathematics, so find the best method for your child and stick with it. With a little effort, they will be able to overcome math anxiety and succeed in math class!
  2. If you notice your child feeling overwhelmed while studying math, it’s okay for them to take a break. A brain break can help refresh their mind, making it easier for them to focus later on. Brain breaks can be active or passive, depending on the child’s needs. Active brain breaks focus on physical movement and may involve jumping or dancing around. Passive brain breaks are more about mindfulness or sensory and may include taking deep breaths or listening to calm music.  Taking breaks is essential for keeping their mind sharp and ready to tackle challenging math problems. 
  3. Explain to your child the difference between understanding and memorization. Memorization can be beneficial in certain circumstances, but it may produce a procedurally competent student who can’t think their way out of a box. The sooner you can encourage your child to understand math operations instead of memorization, the sooner they will develop number sense and mental math skills, which will help boost their confidence in mathematics. 
  4. Never underestimate the impact that a few encouraging words can have on your child. Children experiencing math anxiety can feel hopeless and lost, but knowing that a caring adult is there and cheering them on could help boost their confidence. A study published in the Journal of Emerging Investigators explored the effects of positive and negative reinforcement and their impact on students’ mathematical performance in 6th grade. All participants were required to do mental math to calculate fraction problems after receiving a negative, positive, or neutral form of reinforcement. They wore a heart monitor to track their anxiety, and it was found that students who received positive reinforcement had significantly lower heart rates when calculating fractions. So, next time your child is struggling, try motivating them through positive, encouraging words or even rewards to help improve their learning and academic success. 
  5. Make math fun! At Dropkick Math, we believe that all children can become interested in math and overcome math anxiety if it is presented in a fun and engaging way. All of our programs offer game-based learning to help those who may be struggling. Through encouragement and rewards, children will begin to excel at completing complex math questions and beat their fear of math. 

Physical Symptoms Of Math Anxiety

Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as a racing heart or sweating. With such physical reactions, many children who have math anxiety tend to avoid situations in which they have to do math. However, by following these simple tips, you can help your child overcome math anxiety and start to enjoy learning mathematics. 

Along with interventions, Dropkick Math offers programs that can help a child improve their math skills. When a child becomes more confident in mathematics, their level of math anxiety decreases. With our fun and engaging programs, children will learn to become more at ease with math problems.

Learn more about our math help services today!

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3 Steps To Boost Mindset For Back To School

3 Steps To Boost Mindset For Back To School

As the back-to-school season rolls around, it’s important to help your children gear up for success. A positive mindset is crucial for dealing with the challenges of school and life. By following three simple steps, you can help your children stay focused and motivated to go back to school. First, remind your child that transitions can be stressful, but you will be there to help guide them. Second, set goals for academic and extracurricular activities that can be accomplished throughout the year, such as math tutoring. Finally, set the tone for your child’s return to school. Following these simple steps can help your children maintain a positive mindset and set them up for success in school and life.

Excited or Anxious?

The back-to-school season can be both exciting and anxiety-inducing for children. On the one hand, they get to see their friends again and learn new things. It brings structure and fresh extracurricular activities. Some children love getting the latest supplies and may have their backpacks packed weeks before school starts. 

On the other hand, some children hate having to deal with homework, tests, and other challenges. With new subjects come unfamiliar teachers, frustrations and new challenges. This can create anxiety for many children and cause sleepless nights before the start of school. 

Whether your child is excited or anxious for back to school, some steps can be taken to help boost their mindset and help with their confidence. 

Dealing With Transitions

Routine changes can be stressful and cause anxiety for some children. Some may suffer a great deal while figuring out their new school year rhythm. As a parent, it can be hard to know how to help a child who is unsure of change, but talking to them and addressing the subject can go a long way. Let them know that the stress of transition is only temporary and isn’t an indicator that something is wrong. It is simply their mind trying to figure out how things fit together in their new environment, schedule, and peers. 

When letting your child know that their feelings of anxiety about the new school year are normal, you can also tell them how you feel when faced with uncomfortable feelings of creating a new routine. Relating to your child and letting them know their stress is normal can help them relax.

Children who are stressed about transitions may also have trouble making decisions. By boosting their confidence and letting them know their stress is normal, it can help them make wiser decisions. 

Set Goals

Something about a new school year and the promise of a fresh start can make parents put our rational, realistic brains in a box. We will then start planning three times too many things for our children to do. It is almost as if summer gives us amnesia to the number of subjects, activities and “fun” things we can commit our children to do. It is all done out of love for our children as we get easily distracted by all of the possibilities and want them all for our children. However, this can lead to overcommitment, and we often find ourselves and our children burning out in the early fall. 

But it isn’t just the parents who often over-commit. Children may not know their limits and could overcommit and overextend themselves even without a parent’s help. Whether it be the pressure to excel academically, peer pressure, or even pressure they may feel to make their parents proud, children can often take on too much. This can lead to burnout, stress and a poor mindset. 

The start of a new school year is the perfect time for your child to set their primary purpose. Take the time to sit down with your child and discuss what choices they have this year in academics and extracurricular activities. Ask them what it would be if they were to grow in one area this year. This can help to narrow down what to focus on and set a goal for the year ahead without becoming too overworked. Start with the activities that will help them grow and build confidence in their chosen area, and then add on from there, thinking realistically about how much time they have each week. 

Who Do They Want To Be

One of the best ways to boost your child’s mindset before the start of school is by reminding them that they can be whomever they want to be. Give them some freedom to choose their clothes, supplies, textbooks, and even schedules if they are older. This can be a major confidence boost and help them to set the tone for the upcoming year ahead. 

As parents, we can sometimes go into an almost robotic zone when getting our children ready for back to school. You have done it millions of times and are just on auto-repeat. But if your child has decided they want to become a mathematician this year, or a science expert, they should focus on these aspirations. This is why letting your child take the lead when selecting new clothes and supplies for the upcoming year is essential. They may want to ditch the unicorn binder you got them last year for a space-themed binder and pens this year. This is an excellent way to foster aspirations and boost their confidence so they can excel in school and life. 

Creating A Math Mindset

The new school year can be a wonderful time of learning, growing, and developing new habits that can last a lifetime. As a parent, setting a positive mindset for your child can help ensure a smoother transition. Establishing a mindset is all about creating a positive experience. When it comes to creating a math mindset, we have a whole blog on the topic! Check it out here!

At Dropkick Math, our math help services work with the parent and child to build a positive mindset which can boost confidence and help children overcome any learning gaps in mathematics. Our programs offer a unique math tutoring approach by focusing on relationships and engaging the parent/guardian. Students learn math operations through fun and engaging games focusing on the four pillars (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, and algebraic reasoning). 

Start creating a positive math mindset in your child by visiting our website and learning more about our programs today! 

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