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Encouraging Participation in Group Math Activities

Encouraging Participation in Group Math Activities

Helping your child understand and enjoy mathematics can be challenging as a parent. However, learning mathematics does not have to be boring or intimidating for children! When it comes to introducing math topics to your kids, group activities can help make the process fun and engaging, especially in a math tutoring environment.  

Involving groups of peers in collaborative math exercises encourages children to better comprehend the material by actively participating in problem-solving activities with their peers. Additionally, it allows them an opportunity to bond over shared interests while developing valuable social skills along the way. 

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how Dropkick Math uses group activities as an effective teaching strategy for guiding your child’s understanding of mathematical concepts. We’ll also discuss why group math activities are important, and introduce some helpful tips on helping children who may be hesitant to participate in group learning.  

Motivation 

Motivating students to be enthusiastically receptive is fundamental when it comes to giving quality instruction in mathematics and is a vital ingredient of any curriculum. Our teachers at Dropkick Math engage our students in fun and engaging activities that help demonstrate the relevance of math and how it applies to real-world situations. Doing this helps spark student interest, motivating them to increase their enthusiasm for learning. 

Classroom learning can be enhanced tremendously when students are motivated by their peers. Group learning experiences allow abilities and strengths to be shared, motivating each individual to work toward the same goal together. Consequently, the group setting encourages active student participation while building relationships and forming a network of reliable mutual support from within the same classroom. 

When we foster motivating environments, learners are more likely to engage in activities with enthusiasm rather than dread and apathy. Motivating peers is a valuable tool for creating an entertaining yet challenging bond that helps students strive for personal improvement and educational success.

Making Learning Fun!

Working in a group setting can be an effective way to learn something new, and it’s especially beneficial in more challenging classes such as math. When students collaborate, group problem-solving can commence, and the learning process becomes more interactive. As a result, everyone can have fun and enjoy finding solutions to problems by working together instead of sulking over them alone. 

Group learning eliminates any solo struggles that may arise with such complex topics, and having peers by your side can help reduce the pressure associated with each task. Ultimately, group learning creates a sense of camaraderie and collaboration among the class while providing an enjoyable way to tackle even the most difficult concepts.

Learning From Each Other

Group learning in math classes can provide an opportunity for children to learn from each other’s mistakes. Working collaboratively with peers can help them identify errors and think of solutions together. It also helps foster a sense of community among group members and strengthens problem-solving skills. Through group work, students are more likely to ask questions, clarify understanding, and have a better overall grasp of math operations than when they work independently.

Offering Rewards

Each student is different, and what motivates them to join group learning may differ. However, at Dropkick Math Academy, we have found that rewarding students helps encourage them to participate.  

Rewarding students for participating in group class is an increasingly popular practice as educators recognize the value of students engaging with the material, even if they don’t always get the answer right. Understanding that students need to be acknowledged for their efforts and that their contributions can often lead to unexpected learning opportunities, rewards for participation become valuable incentives. This kind of encouragement helps students build confidence and encourages them to keep participating and growing. In the classroom setting, rewarding students for stepping forward and developing ideas or solutions provides an opportunity for self-discovery and exploration.

At Dropkick Math Academy, we offer students rewards that include Amazon gift cards, Pokemon cards, wireless earbuds and more!

How To Help Your Child Participate

While the theory behind group learning sounds great, I often have parents asking how to get their children to start participating. We can often put children together in a group, but some are still shy and need encouragement to participate. 

Assisting your child in overcoming the apprehension of participating in a group class setting can be daunting. However, there are several things you can do as a parent to help your child become comfortable with the idea. 

Before enrolling them, make sure to explain why it is beneficial for them to participate and emphasize that the best way to learn is by engaging directly with their peers. Additionally, let them know that joining group activities will allow them to have fun and make new friends. Allow your child to observe one session before expecting them to start participating. Finally, offer words of encouragement and remind them how brave they are for trying something new and different!

Maximum Class Size

At Dropkick Math Academy, we understand how it can be helpful for students to form a collaborative environment free from any distractions. That’s why we have taken note of limiting each class size to no more than four students. It creates an intimate learning atmosphere and helps students engage in meaningful discussions without anyone getting lost in the background. Having a maximum class size of four students allows students to access more personalized instruction and maximize their potential while working together.

Parental Involvement

At Dropkick Math Academy, we extend our commitment to active learning experiences to parents by inviting them to attend classes with their child and actively participate in the group exercises provided by the school. This helps create an atmosphere of mutual support, as parents can work alongside their child in solving mathematical problems while also providing the child with recognition and confidence that their home environment provides a safe place for learning. Parents are essential in making math tutoring more effective, especially at an early age, so we value their involvement in our student’s educational journey.

Get started with our math help services today by having your child take our FREE assessment!

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Number Sense

Number Sense The Deep Understanding of HOW Numbers Work

Number Sense The Deep Understanding of HOW Numbers Work

If you’ve ever wanted to take an in-depth dive into understanding numbers, then learning about “number sense” is the perfect way to do it. With a focus on developing your own understanding of how numbers work and relate to each other, number sense is not just a key math concept that helps improve mathematical proficiency—it also provides insight into teaching practices and can help unlock deeper levels of problem-solving. This can be invaluable when helping your child learn mathematics. 

Through this blog post, we aim to provide you with both an introduction and a deep exploration of what number sense really means so you can develop your skills around working with numbers efficiently and effectively. At Dropkick Math Academy, our math tutoring services offer programs focused on understanding number sense, and we include the parent/guardian. So, if you are interested in learning with your child, check out our math tutoring programs today!

Understanding Number Sense

Having number sense is an important skill for students to have in order to become competent in math. Number sense involves understanding the number of items in a certain set and being able to interpret that number without actually counting all of the items. It also involves understanding number quantity, comparing and organizing numbers, simple calculations, recognizing mathematical patterns, and problem-solving. 

Students who have strong number sense can quickly solve problems because they understand relationships among quantities and operations without laborious number-crunching. It provides them a deeper level of math intuition which is essential for success with more advanced topics like algebra, calculus, geometry and beyond.

Explaining Number Sense To Your Child

Explaining number sense to a child can be an important part of helping them understand math. To help explain number sense, start by having your child identify the number of items in a group. It could be as simple as counting the number of chairs in the room or counting their fingers. Once they have identified the number, ask questions such as “If I gave you two more chairs, how many would there be?” This helps develop an understanding of addition and subtraction as well as number recognition. 

Providing hands-on activities that involve moving objects like coins, or math manipulatives can help them visualize what different numbers look like. Doing this can give them a better foundation for developing number sense in other areas such as basic operations and fractions.

Number Sense Throughout School

Number sense is important for elementary students to understand and grow with. This can range from counting, number properties and operations, number patterns and relationships, estimation, number comparisons, fractions, and more over the various grades. As they progress through to grades 4 to 9 they learn to extend their understanding of whole numbers to rational numbers such as decimals, percentages and rational fractions, as well as irrational numbers.

Number sense is only going to become increasingly important in our rapidly evolving world, where mathematical knowledge is vital for success. It is, therefore important for young learners to develop a strong number sense foundation early on.

The Importance Of Number Sense

Research has recently found that many students struggle with learning math because they don’t have the underlying foundation of what the numbers really mean. Without having a deep understanding of what number sense means, they do not have the basic foundational skills and will most likely struggle in the future. However, at Dropkick Math Academy, teachers are changing the way mathematics is taught and focusing more on mastering number sense and the automaticity of facts.

Working With Parents And Students

At Dropkick Math, we understand where a student’s understanding of number sense should be. Using concrete and pictorial models and interactive guides, we can help students understand the “howmuchness” of various numbers. We take the time to work with students and their parents walking them through experiences that allow them to interpret symbolic representations of numbers.

Teaching number sense to parents alongside their children can be an invaluable part of helping them understand their student’s homework. Number sense concepts help students make number-based decisions quickly, which can be a great tool for both students and their caregivers. It includes understanding number relationships, mental calculations, and estimation, all of which can help parents more effectively guide their children throughout the learning process. Teaching number sense also allows parents to talk with their kids about the math they are working on and better understand how it relates to everyday life.

The Four Pillars Of Math

Strong number sense can help build a foundation for mathematical understanding as one of the four pillars of math. Number sense, especially in the younger grades, can help build the foundation necessary to compute and solve more complex problems as they go into older grades. 

At Dropkick Math Academy, our programs focus on math’s four pillars.  By mastering these four fundamental concepts,  students will be able to solve any problem they encounter in math. In addition, the four pillars of math provide a strong foundation for students to build upon as they move on to higher grades. By the end of each module, students have a well-rounded foundation in arithmetic and are prepared to move on to more advanced modules.

Signs Of Trouble

Children who have trouble with number sense often show signs at an early age. Unfortunately, the pandemic caused many students to have a loss in learning over the past couple of years. Students in the younger grades have suffered a gap in mathematics as they learn number sense. As one of the four pillars of math, not understanding number sense may leave a child with a weak math pillar and can significantly impact their future math success.

At Dropkick Math Academy, we offer math tutoring that focuses on the four pillars, which get to the root of students’ misunderstandings. Instead of covering up math misunderstandings, we work from the ground up to help foster a full comprehension of number sense. 

Learn more about the four pillars today and how we incorporate them into your various math tutoring programs. Your child will not only learn the math they need, but they will have fun doing it! With game-based learning, our students are eager to attend classes and stay engaged throughout the lesson. Click to learn more today!

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Learn Math

How Literature Can Help Make Sense Of Math Operations

How Literature Can Help Make Sense Of Math Operations

Math problems present a unique challenge for many students who are good at computations, as they must bridge the gap between math theory and math application. Comfort with math computations does not necessarily guarantee fluency in math problem-solving – in fact, applying those same skills can require quite different strategies than the ones that capture a calculation.

Understanding the underlying structure of math operations, analyzing an equation’s components, and developing a plan for a solution can be daunting tasks for even technically adept math students. This is one reason why so many parents often head online to search for a “math tutor near me.”  

At Dropkick Math Academy, we understand that tackling math problems one step at a time while breaking down each challenge and understanding the process are great steps toward mastering math application. We are an alternative to math tutoring that makes learning about math concepts and applying them in real-life situations fun and rewarding. We use game-based learning in our programs, but another great way to help your child understand math problem-solving is with literature. 

Gaining A Deeper Understanding

Solving math problems requires more than just memorized formulas and procedures. As we previously mentioned, it requires students to develop a deeper understanding of math operations and recognize the connection between an actual problem and the math needed to solve it. This can often be challenging, especially when students have gaps in understanding particular math concepts. 

However, with proper instruction and guidance, they can learn how to make these connections between contextual math problems and the algorithms needed to solve them. Students who can do this will be better equipped to approach math problems proactively rather than relying solely on memorizing procedures.

Problem-Solving

Through problem-solving, students can develop an operational sense – an understanding of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. As they connect relationships and different meanings to these four operations, students can more accurately apply these operations to real-world settings. 

One of the best ways that children can learn about problem-solving is through children’s literature, as it provides an excellent way for students to engage with math in a unique and exciting way. Through reading stories, they can encounter math-related events, characters, and data that bring the subject to life in an accessible, memorable way. 

Not only do these books give young math enthusiasts a chance to explore mathematics through interesting stories and characters, but the context of these stories serves as excellent starting points for math practice. Children’s literature is highly beneficial for math learning, allowing children to develop an appreciation for math and gain experience in understanding math concepts within stimulating environments.

Math-Focused Stories

Math-focused stories can be a great way for students to dive deeper into addition and subtraction operations. These stories, or children’s literature, allow young learners to explore multiple scenarios without the pressure of traditional math activities. Through story time discussions with teachers or parents, students are able to work through solving math problems while being more heavily engaged in their learning by putting math into perspective. 

When math is presented in a meaningful way, such as through storytelling, it allows students to take ownership of their understanding of math concepts, helping them develop a much deeper understanding than ever before.

Utilizing literature to explore math topics doesn’t have to only be reserved for young students. Upper-grade math classes can also benefit from a little narrative structure. Studies show that math becomes far more meaningful and applicable when it’s engaged in through storytelling and reading. Reading aloud important math-related stories to an upper-grade math class can instill a sense of context for math problems and higher-level math concepts. Furthermore, engaging with math via literature also allows students to make connections between the math principles they’re studying with their own lives and experiences, adding an empowering layer to their mathematical journey.

Understanding Over Memorization

Telling a math-related story is an effective way to introduce operations, as it encourages students to understand the operation being discussed rather than simply memorizing how to perform the calculation. By giving the math problem a narrative context, the student can better visualize and comprehend the math task at hand, engaging with it on a more meaningful level. Additionally, this approach connects math concepts to other literature they may be studying in class and is especially useful for students who may not have a natural math talent. Providing students with stories that connect multiple subjects creates opportunities for them to learn the material more quickly and effectively.

Using literature is a creative and effective way to help children visualize math concepts as they are used in real life. For example, in a story, maybe the characters share food. This would cause students to think about division situations. Try reading to your child and asking math questions when appropriate. In this example, If Mr. Patrick brings food in the story, you could ask your child if he brought 24 candies to his 6 friends, how many would each get?

This not only makes reading more interactive but also stimulates their mathematical brain!

Research has shown that giving students a context, a real-world or imaginary situation to help illustrate math operations has real benefits. These include:

  • Increasing engagement 
  • Deepening an understanding of operations
  • Strengthening skills in creating equations to represent problem situations
  • Getting students talking about their math reasoning

Our Favourite Stories

Some of our favourite stories that can help children better understand mathematical ideas include:

The Doorbell Rang

This fun story has a mathematical twist. After reading, children should be encouraged to mathematically represent what happens on each page and then discuss this representation. The story’s final page creates a new math challenge to be represented.

Hutchins, P. 1986. The doorbell rang. New York: Mulberry.

You can name 100 dinosaurs!

This book is a treat for dinosaur lovers! It focuses on exploring dinosaurs by historical periods while using illustrations to help children develop higher-number concepts. It also encourages labelling, categorizing, and scientific investigations.

Chewning, R. 1994. You can name 100 dinosaurs! New York: Scholastic.

One watermelon seed

This entertaining story deals with the concepts of multiples of 10 within the context of gardening. Children can follow along and count how many seeds are planted and how many fruits and vegetables they will harvest as a result.

Lotteridge, C.B. 1986. One watermelon seed. Toronto: Oxford University Press.

Communicating Ideas

Writing and mathematics are both useful ways of communicating ideas and understanding relationships. A mathematician uses special symbols and operations to express a sequence of instructions or to construct a relationship between two values. This type of communication is like the language used to create equations that can be solved for an answer or evaluated for its properties. Meanwhile, a writer might use verbs to describe the same action, expressing how someone might go about fulfilling the process without providing any numerical value. While writers and mathematicians use different tools, their end goal is the same; to provide a clear explanation of an event or relationship.

Making Learning Fun!

Math is much more than just working with figures and solving equations; math is a powerful way to interpret, understand, and describe the world around us. At Dropkick Math Academy, we understand math is much more than boring numbers and equations. We make learning math fun. Just like using literature to learn math concepts, we use game-based learning to make it more enjoyable and interactive. 

Students love our games and continue practicing even outside of class. We flip math around and help students fight back against their fear of math. In our programs, students can earn rewards, making it even more tempting to keep practicing their math skills!

Learn more about our programs today and how your child can boost their confidence in math!

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Learn Math

Why Parents Should Be Involved In Their Child’s Education

Why Parents Should Be Involved In Their Child’s Education

As a parent, you want your child to have a bright future, and that starts with a good education. So, you do everything you can to help make sure they have the best chance for success. But what if you could do more? What if you could be directly involved in their education? Believe it or not, parents can and should be involved in their child’s education. 

Parents can help their children learn by monitoring their homework and actively participating in their schooling. Parents can also support their children emotionally, providing encouragement when things get tough. Finally, parents can model good behaviour and values for their children. By being involved in your child’s education, you can help them reach their full potential!

There are numerous benefits of being involved in your child’s education. Read on to learn some of the top benefits of being involved in your child’s education. 

Increased Academic Performance

Parents’ level of involvement in their children’s education is a significant predictor of academic performance and test scores. A parent’s involvement can be as simple as ensuring their child attends school every day and does their homework, or it can be more comprehensive, such as attending school functions and volunteering in the classroom. Studies have consistently shown that parents who are actively involved in their child’s education have children with higher grades and test scores. No matter how you get involved, your child’s grades will reflect your dedication to their education.  

Regular Attendance

There is a clear connection between parents who are engaged in their children’s education and those children’s likelihood of attending school regularly. Involved parents tend to place a high value on education and emphasize the importance of regular attendance, instilling these values in their children from an early age. In addition, parents who are engaged in their children’s education are more likely to be aware of – and responsive to – any issues that may be causing their child to miss school, such as bullying or difficulty understanding the material. As a result, they are more likely to take steps to address these issues, ensuring that their child remains motivated to attend school on a regular basis. Ultimately, it is clear that children whose parents are involved in their education are more likely to attend class consistently.

Increased Confidence

As any parent knows, children thrive when they feel loved and supported. This is especially true when it comes to education. When parents are involved in their child’s education, it sends a message of acceptance, inclusion, and respect. This can increase a child’s confidence and motivation, leading to better grades and improved social skills. 

Furthermore, parents who are involved in their child’s education are more likely to be informed about important decisions made by the school. As a result, they can provide valuable feedback and contribute to the overall success of the school. Ultimately, children with interested parents perceive more acceptance, inclusion, and respect at school. And that makes for a better educational experience for everyone involved.

Improved Motivation

Parents involved in their children’s education tend to see better results in motivation and attitude. Studies have shown that students whose families are engaged in their schooling are more likely to have higher goals and be driven to succeed. This is likely because parents who are involved in their children’s education provide support and guidance that helps nurture a positive attitude towards learning. 

In addition, parents who are interested in their children’s education send a message to their children that school is important, which can increase motivation levels. Ultimately, the benefits of having parents involved in their children’s education are clear. Students tend to perform better when parents take an active role in supporting their learning.

Better Mental Health

A child’s parents can profoundly impact their education and subsequent mental health. Studies have shown that children whose parents are interested and involved in their schooling are more likely to be emotionally healthy than those whose parents are not. There are a number of reasons for this. First, parents interested in their child’s education are more likely to support their academic endeavours. This can lead to increased self-esteem and a sense of worth. 

Secondly, parents who are involved in their child’s schooling are more likely to be aware of any problems or issues that may arise. This early intervention can prevent minor problems from becoming larger ones. Finally, parent involvement can lead to increased communication between parents and children. This open communication is essential for a healthy parent-child relationship. In conclusion, it is evident that parents who are interested and involved in their child’s schooling play a vital role in the child’s emotional development.

Better Behaviour

According to new research, parents who are involved in their children’s education are more likely to see better social skills and behaviour from their kids. The study, which the University of Chicago conducted, found that when parents are involved in their child’s schooling – whether it’s through attending parent-teacher conferences or helping with homework – kids are less likely to be truant, disruptive, and unprepared for class. 

While the study did not examine why parents who are more involved tend to see better behaviour from their kids, it is clear that parental involvement is important in fostering positive social skills and behaviour in children. When parents take an active role in their child’s education, they set the stage for a lifetime of success.

How To Get Involved

As you can see, parents play an essential role in their child’s education. By being involved and engaged in their child’s schooling, parents can help ensure that their child receives the best possible education. There are a number of ways in which parents can get involved in their child’s education. One way is to attend school functions and meetings simply. This shows your child that you are interested in their schooling and want to be involved in their education. Another way to get involved is by volunteering in the classroom or on field trips. This allows you to directly participate in your child’s education and see firsthand how they are learning. You can also help at home by ensuring your child has a quiet place to do homework and providing guidance when needed. Ultimately, the more involved parents are in their child’s education, the better the outcome will be for everyone involved.

Dropkick Math Involves Parents/Guardians

At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe it is essential for parents/guardians to be involved in a child’s education. As part of our program at Dropkick Math, we invite the parent/guardian into the learning environment. This can help parents balance their involvement in their child’s education. We believe that it is crucial for parents to understand the math curriculum their child is learning so they can help if needed. 

Our math programs in Toronto and the surrounding areas offer an alternative to traditional online math tutors. We provide a fun way to help your child thrive in mathematics through self-learning. We work with children and their parents/guardians to understand the underlying problems rather than just focusing on helping them through the material they are learning at school.

If your child is struggling with math, our math learning techniques may be the help they need. For more information about our program and how we get the parent/guardian involved, visit our website today!

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Learn Math

How To Incorporate Math Into The Holiday Season

How To Incorporate Math Into The Holiday Season

Are you looking for ways to get the whole family involved in learning this holiday season? Incorporating math into your festivities can be a great way to make the holidays educational and enjoyable! 

Math activities don’t have to feel like homework – by using creative ideas, math can help create cherished memories. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to use mathematics in fun and engaging ways during the holidays. From making homemade baked goods together as a family to counting coins with little ones at an annual charity event, there are many opportunities to bring a mathematical twist around the holiday season! Having fun and incorporating math operations into your holidays can be easy. 

Making Math Fun!

Math doesn’t have to be a bore! In fact, math lessons can quickly become enjoyable when presented in an interactive and stimulating way – especially over the holidays. Children are more likely to immerse themselves in math exercises when learning is playful – from counting games that use physical objects such as paper clips or coins to board games and apps designed specifically for math practice. 

During the holidays, children will want to participate in holiday-themed games or even chores around the house if they are made to be interesting. Turning math into an entertaining activity will spark curiosity among kids and help improve their math skills while they become engaged in the challenge.

Christmas Baking

Baking is a great way to keep math learning alive during the holidays, especially for kids. It provides an opportunity to reinforce math operations such as measurements, fractions, geometry and more in a fun and stress-free environment. Math skills help in measuring ingredients, but math can also be used to double or halve recipes. Furthermore, math concepts such as fractions, ratios and symmetry can all be practiced when decorating the finished product, from making enough icing for your gingerbread cookies to evenly spacing pieces of fruitcake.

The relationship between the ingredients in a recipe can be easily shown to a child as a ratio. As an example, if a cookie recipe calls for two eggs and one cup of sugar, the ratio of sugar to eggs is 1 to 2. 

Since recipes list ingredients in proportion, you can teach your child that if you increase or decrease the amount of one ingredient, you must increase or decrease the others by the same factor to produce the desired result. 

Cooking a big dinner for family and friends? Ask your child to help you double a recipe to ensure that no one goes hungry. Or, if someone cancels, have them help you decrease the number of ingredients needed to feed everyone. 

Baking/cooking together can also be a great bonding experience that encourages children to practice math topics while creating something delicious with family or friends! It can help boost their confidence when family members comment on their tasty creations and help them understand how math can be fun and rewarding. 

With some careful recipe selection, math practice can easily be integrated into holiday celebrations with little effort.

Wrapping Gifts

During the holidays, when it’s time to wrap presents for family members and friends, take full advantage of the opportunity to help your child improve their math skills. Have your child involved in cutting and measuring wrapping paper, estimating how much each present may require, counting out the number of gifts being wrapped, and carefully following directions. In doing so, kids are applying math concepts such as measurements, addition/subtraction, geometry and problem-solving. Plus, they will feel empowered and proud of helping you! So the next time you tackle those Christmas gifts, consider incorporating math learning with an activity your child will love to be a part of.

The Joy of Gift Giving

Gift-giving can be an excellent way for students to learn math in practice. Allowing children to use their own money for holiday purchases requires them to use various math skills, such as decimals, percentages, and averages. Not only does this help them become better at math, but it also teaches them the vital lesson that in order to get something they want, they have to set a budget and determine what is important enough to buy within it. As parents, it is empowering to witness our children take charge of their finances while learning math along the way!

Playing Games

Instead of only playing traditional board games or video games this year, why not try math-based activities? Math-based games provide a fun way for your kids to practice math concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division – all while having lots of holiday cheer. Furthermore, math can even be sneakily included in puzzles and other popular games; in this way, math becomes less intimidating but still provides an effective learning opportunity. Playing math-based games over the holidays can be a great way for your children to stay mentally and physically active.

Keep Learning Over The Holidays

The holiday season is a great time to take a break and relax, but that doesn’t mean math should be put on the back burner. During the festive winter holidays, children should take advantage of the time off from school to continue their math learning and practice. With no school days or homework to worry about, math can be incorporated into family activities and daily life in subtle ways, such as baking or playing math-related games with siblings. Math skills remain sharp by keeping problem-solving and number-crunching fresh during the holidays, so nothing is lost over the break.

Classes Starting In January!

Dropkick Math Academy will be taking a short break for the holiday season, but we’re eager to get back into math action in January. Our math programs provide opportunities for kids of all ages to create math mastery that allows them to understand math on a deeper level. Our math intervention programs allow students to better their math skills every day, and we can’t wait to continue our work in the New Year.

If you were planning on searching the web for “math tutor near me” in the new year, look no further. Dropkick Math Academy is an alternative to traditional math tutors that helps children get to the root cause of their math misunderstandings. Learn more about our programs and how we can help boost your child’s confidence in mathematics this year!

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Math Programs

Why Game Based Learning?

Why Game Based Learning

If you’re a parent, you know that finding ways to keep your kids occupied and learning is a full-time job. There are so many options out there that it can be hard to know which is the right fit for your child. One option that has been gaining popularity in recent years is game-based learning. But what is it? And why should you consider it for your child? Keep reading to find out more!

What Is Game-Based Learning?

Game-based learning is a method of instruction that uses games and game-like activities to teach academic skills and knowledge. It can effectively engage students who may not be interested in traditional learning methods or who struggle with traditional instruction.

Game-based learning has been shown to improve student achievement, problem-solving skills, and teamwork skills. Many popular video games, such as Minecraft, are built around game-based learning principles. So next time your child begs you to buy them the latest gaming console, consider checking out some of the educational games available as well. You may be surprised at how much they learn!

Dropkick Math’s Games

At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe that learning should be fun and engaging, which is why we incorporate game-based learning into our curriculum. With our programs, your child may find themselves battling the underworld against the gangs of Matica to help deepen their understanding of the connections between fractions, decimals and percents. 

Or, they may find themselves travelling to the city of Intermatica, where the queen of frustration, Francine, is making her last attempt to bring her brand of uncertainty and mathematical anxiety into their everyday math experience. Here, they will need to gain true confidence in math as the computer activates the defence shield that protects not only the great city of Intermathica, but also the future of you’re their learning in mathematics. Both parent and child will quickly notice how success is achieved by focusing on relationships and learning together!

That’s right! At Dropkick Math Academy, we want the parents to get involved with game-based learning! So, next time you log on for a lesson at Dropkick Math Academy, don’t be surprised if you find yourself playing a game with your child instead of completing traditional worksheets! We promise that you and your child will have a blast while enhancing both of your math skills.

How Does Game-Based Learning Work?

Games have been used as a learning tool throughout history. For example, chess was used to teach strategic thinking as far back as the Middle Ages. Although it has been found throughout history, the core concepts of game-based learning haven’t changed. Game-based learning is teaching through repetition, failure and the accomplishment of goals. 

The easiest way to think of this is by looking at video games. The player starts off slow and becomes more skilled over time, eventually building up to navigate the most difficult levels. Educational games that are planned and designed well will offer enough difficulty to challenge a child without being easy enough for the play to win constantly. 

Children should be able to actively learn and practice the right way to perform math equations. The result is active learning instead of passive learning. At Dropkick Math, we aim to show students that while math can be fun, they must work at it to enhance their skills. 

Game-Based or Textbook Learning?

Unfortunately, the educational system is slow to change. And although COVID helped speed up the virtual learning process, it is still lacking in ways to keep kids engaged. So, once schools opened back up and classes were once again in person,  a lot of the technology got left behind. 

But for students who don’t do well with learning from a textbook, it may greatly affect them. Many students need to be engaged and work with others to help them learn. While we don’t have anything against textbooks, it just isn’t how we do things around here. Dropkick Math exclusively uses game-based learning and virtual classes to keep children entertained and eager to learn more. 

Textbooks work for children, but even in those cases, they can become quickly outdated. When a textbook is released, it contains all of the current information, theories, and educational methods from when the book was printed. But since textbooks are meant to be used for many years, there is a substantial delay before the curriculum can be updated if needed. 

On the other hand, game-based learning is built to be adaptive from the beginning. Our games are tested and adjusted during production to ensure they are the most effective learning tools. As new information becomes available, or if the educational approaches need to be adjusted, our games can be easily changed to suit the needs of students. We even consistently ask for feedback from parents so that our games can be adjusted for future use. 

What Makes Dropkick Math Different?

While there are many math tutoring options available, Dropkick Math offers a different approach to learning. Our game-based learning creates a “math playground” where children can build their confidence and understanding of mathematics. We make learning math fun and our certified Ontario math teachers help children with the root of their misunderstandings. 

When students learn with our game-based education, they gain ownership of the material which can help to improve retention. Using different approaches and using goal-based learning can help to address all styles of learning at the same time. This means no matter what a student’s learning style is, a game can address them. 

Our game-based learning also provides a safe environment for failure. Many children will shy away from answering questions in a classroom setting because they do not have the confidence to make a mistake. However, our games give them a chance to try out new things, and if they fail in a game environment, they can simply try again and learn from their mistake. Our small class sizes also help children feel more comfortable. Regular education is based on memorization, whereas at Dropkick Math Academy, our math learning techniques allow children to learn through experimentation and trial and error. 

We are confident that your child will thrive with Dropkick Math Academy. We have helped hundreds of students close a gap in their learning while having fun. To learn more about our math programs that offer game-based learning, visit our website today! 

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Math Tutoring

How To Encourage Your Child’s Thinking And Give Them Challenges

How To Encourage Your Child’s Thinking And Give Them Challenges

As parents, it’s important to encourage our child’s natural curiosity and critical thinking skills. One way to do this is by actively handing them challenges and allowing them to solve problems independently. This could be in the form of simple activities like puzzles or games, but it can also involve real-life tasks such as helping with grocery shopping or planning a family outing. 

It’s important for us to resist the urge to take over and solve their problems for them, giving them room to figure things out on their own and experience the rewards and challenges that come with it. In addition, fostering an open and curious mindset in our children can lead to increased confidence and creativity in their thought processes. So next time your child presents you with a math operation they can’t figure out, why not give them a chance to find the solution themselves? However, if they seem to struggle too much, investing in some math tutoring may be helpful. It will surely lead to valuable learning experiences for both of you.

Playing Math Games

At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe in game-based learning as a means to engage and motivate students. Research has shown that game-based learning can improve problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and memory retention. In addition, playing math games can also help build students’ confidence in their abilities and make them more excited about learning math. And best of all, game-based learning ensures that students have fun while also mastering essential mathematical concepts and skills. 

That’s why game-based learning is at the core of our curriculum at Dropkick Math Academy. We are committed to making math education engaging and enjoyable for all types of learners. With our games, students may find themselves embarking on an adventure in the Seas of Perseverance and taking on the dreaded Math Pirates. Or, they may be travelling to the year 2094 and preparing to take part in the yearly event called “The Great Race.” No matter their program, they will learn math through fun and engaging games. 

While we focus all of our learning on games at Dropkick Math, students can also play games at home to strengthen their math skills. Dominos, Uno Flip, Monopoly, and Money Bags are some of the best at home games that your child can play to make learning math more fun! Try turning off the tv in the evening and playing a game with your child. They will have fun and won’t even know it is helping them learn. 

Incorporating Math Into Everyday Life

Math may seem like an abstract concept to young children, but making real-life connections can help them understand its importance and usefulness. For example, grocery shopping provides a great opportunity to practice counting, estimating, and adding prices. Kids can also learn about subtraction by helping to divide a budget or splitting a bill at a restaurant. 

While playing outside, math skills can come into play when estimating the number of steps or measuring the height of a tree. Even simple daily tasks such as setting the table or folding laundry involve math concepts like sorting and arranging objects in equal groups. Showing children how math applies to their everyday lives can make it a more relevant and engaging subject for them.

Just don’t make it too easy for them. Children need to be able to make mistakes and learn from them to move forward. Mistakes can not only be learning opportunities, but as students consider their mistakes, it can also be a time when their brains grow. So, next time you find a situation where you can incorporate some math learning in real life, ask your child a question you know they may find challenging. Once they are able to work it out, their confidence will rise, along with their eagerness to learn more.

The Encouragement Your Child Needs

At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe some of the best encouragement you can give your child is by learning alongside them. Our programs encourage parents/guardians to get involved and are tailored specifically for students and their guardians to work together on understanding the building blocks of mathematics. 

We understand that your child isn’t learning the same math you may have been taught. This is why our specialized programs create an environment where both parent and child can better understand the fundamentals, creating a fun and engaging learning environment. 

Over three decades of research have found that parent involvement positively impacts student success regardless of socioeconomic status, background, or parent’s level of education.  When you learn alongside your child, you are setting an example while strengthening your relationship. Your child will see your confidence building in mathematics, which will also help build them up. Your attitude about learning can directly influence your child’s educational success. 

Make It Challenging

As I mentioned earlier, while encouraging your child through games or everyday life, it is vital to also make it challenging. It may be tempting for parents to make math easy for children, but it’s important to remember that challenge is essential for learning. Just as a muscle grows stronger with resistance, our brains also need difficult tasks in order to strengthen and learn new skills. 

Giving children math problems that require critical thinking and problem-solving helps them develop their math abilities, rather than simply memorizing formulas or numbers. In addition, being challenged in math can help improve overall academic performance and increase self-confidence in the subject. So instead of offering kids what may seem like an easier learning experience, try pushing them to stretch their math abilities and solve challenging problems. It may be initially difficult, but they’ll thank you in the long run.

The Dropkick Math Way Of Learning

At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe in encouraging growth while challenging children. Our math help services offer a fun way for them to practice math operations and learn from their mistakes. 

We believe in not only the importance of education but also effort and self-motivation. That’s why we offer a rewards system for students who demonstrate a consistent and dedicated effort to learn. This could include participating in class discussions or taking on extra assignments. 

We want to emphasize that learning is not just about receiving good grades but about actively engaging with the material and investing in one’s own education. We hope this reward system will encourage students to embrace the learning process and strive for personal growth and improvement. Ultimately, we believe that the most important reward is the knowledge and skills they will gain throughout their time with us at Dropkick Math Academy. 

To learn more about our math tutoring programs, visit our website today!

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Learn Math

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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Learn Math

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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How Manipulatives Can Help Children Understand Complex Ideas

How Manipulatives Can Help Children Understand Complex Ideas

If there’s one thing that all parents want for their children, it’s for them to be successful in life. One of the key ways to achieve success is to give your children a strong foundation in education. And when it comes to mathematics, nothing can help children understand complex ideas like manipulatives can. This blog post will discuss how manipulatives can help children understand complex math ideas and why they are so valuable in the classroom. We’ll also provide tips on using manipulatives at home to help your child with math homework. So keep reading to learn more!

What Are Manipulatives?

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. Manipulatives can be used with students of all ages, from preschoolers just learning to count to high school students studying advanced algebra.

For example, using manipulatives like blocks can help children visualize what it means to add numbers together. This can make it easier for them to understand the concept and perform calculations correctly. While manipulatives are most used for younger children when they are learning division, fractions, and other mathematical concepts, older students can also benefit greatly from them. Some advanced math concepts that can be done with math manipulatives include:

 

  • Area, volume, and surface area (snap cubes, power polygons)
  • Exponents (two-sided counters)
Exponents
  • Operations with decimals (base 10 blocks)
base 10 blocks
  • Operations with fractions (fractions strips, relational rods)
fractions strips, relational rods
  • Square roots (graph paper and square arrays)
graph paper and square arrays
  • Ratios (snap cubes, pattern blocks)
snap cubes, pattern blocks
  • Algebraic properties (algebra tiles)
snap cubes, pattern blocks
  • Operations with polynomials (algebra tiles)
snap cubes, pattern blocks
  • Operations with negative and positive numbers (two-sided counters)
two-sided counters

A Positive Attitude

If you are thinking of using manipulatives with your child to help with their math education, your involvement and positive attitude are vital to success as a parent. Even if you are suffering from math anxiety, staying engaged and willing to learn along with your child using manipulatives is important. You will be delighted to see that your child’s understanding increases as your engagement and learning increase. 

At Dropkick Math, we believe a child’s success can largely depend on the involvement of the parent/guardian. All of our programs offer the option for parents to become involved and learn alongside their children. 

Visually Simple

Math manipulatives are traditionally visually simple as research has shown how detail such as that found on play money can easily distract children. Education professionals have carefully designed manipulatives to help bridge the gap between concrete and abstract concepts. 

Why Math Manipulatives Work

So why might a child learn math concepts using the aid of manipulatives better than if they try to solve it in a symbolic form? Researchers think it may be because children think more concretely than adults. They typically rely on physically interacting with the world to make sense of it, and their ability to think abstractly is extremely limited. Some education specialists believe it is because children are in an operational stage from age 7 to 12, where they need to use concrete objects to support logical reasoning. A child can think using pure abstractions in the formal operations stage from age 12 and up.  

Another theory as to why manipulatives work suggests it is because they help to move the body. It is suggested that cognition is not just a product of the mind, but the body also participates. For example, children may have a perception of what the word “kick” means, but the meaning of the work becomes solidified when they experience the feeling of kicking something. 

By this account, it isn’t so much the manipulatives themselves that help children understand math concepts, but the movement behind them. If this theory is true, many people ask if computer-aided manipulatives can be as helpful as the real thing. There are exceptions, but computer-based manipulatives have been found to help just as much as physical ones. 

While more research is needed to understand how manipulatives work and which theories are entirely accurate, one fact remains the same; manipulatives will always lead to better understanding. 

Why Math Manipulatives Are Beneficial 

Math manipulatives are beneficial for students for a few reasons. First, they provide a hands-on way for students to interact with the material and better understand number sense. For tactile learners, this can help children gain a better understanding of math concepts. 

Second, math manipulatives can be reused multiple times, which helps students learn new concepts as they build on what they have already learned. Math is a subject that builds upon itself, and manipulatives offer an excellent opportunity for children to learn how new concepts add to existing ones they have already mastered. 

Finally, math manipulatives can be fun and engaging, making learning math more enjoyable for students. In any math illustration, children will understand that manipulatives are playful tools that will help them understand ideas differently. Educators have confirmed that sorting, measuring, distinguishing patterns, and ordering numerals have been very effective with a conceptual understanding of math. 

When To Stop Using Manipulatives

Math manipulatives intend not to make children forever dependent on them but to use them as they work through complex problems. For example, high school students should not be pulling out a string of beads as they prepare for a math test. Although extremely helpful when first learning math concepts, math manipulatives can be time-consuming and inconvenient. However, when trying to understand a new idea, children should practice with the manipulatives until they can demonstrate the concept without the manipulatives.

They do have their purpose as students grow through high school and university when a new concept is introduced. Older students often find manipulatives helpful when articulating their thought processes when trying to explain a complex concept. When a new concept is introduced, the process of developing understanding strengthens by connecting concrete manipulatives to visual and symbolic representations. When the student is able to connect the different representations to symbolic form, they should be able to stop using the manipulatives. 

Many students find math difficult and frustrating, but using manipulatives can help to make it more accessible and enjoyable. So, if your child struggles with mathematics, try getting some manipulatives to use at home!

Online Math Help

Dropkick Math is a unique tutoring company offering online math help to students who may have experienced an education gap caused by the pandemic. We encourage students to use math manipulatives as a way to understand complex math ideas. Learn more about our programs and if they are the right fit for your child. 

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