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Learn Math

The Meaning Of Fractions

The Meaning Of Fractions

Fractions can often be a source of frustration starting in elementary school. Many times this is because children have not previously been taught algorithms and procedures correctly. They may often confuse methods with others they have learned for whole numbers or have simply not practiced fractions enough to understand them fully. This is precisely why building and understanding the foundation of number sense has been shown to increase student achievement later on.

Parent Involvement

Parents looking to help their children with a better understanding of mathematics also need to develop a more sound understanding of the foundations. This is why we involve parents in our programs at Dropkick Math. Our trained instructors will help build a parent’s mathematics capacity so they can adequately support their child’s journey in elementary math. We believe that success is achieved by learning together.

Understanding Fractions

For students to really understand fractions, it is essential that they learn to view them as numbers. Specifically, numbers that represent different constructs based on the context. In the past, fractions education focused on the outcomes, memorizing procedures so that students could successfully operate with fractions. However, being a good mathematical thinker is no longer based on how quickly a child can produce an answer. It is more important that mathematical thinkers understand the process and have multiple pathways to a solution.

To become a good mathematical thinker, it is essential to understand the meaning of fractions. Fractions represent equal parts of a whole or of a collection.

Fraction of a whole: When a whole is divided into equal parts, each part is a fraction of the whole.

Fraction of a collection: Fractions can also represent parts of a set or a collection.

Fractions have two parts. The number on the top of the line is called the numerator and tells how many equal parts of the whole or collection are taken. The number below the line is called the denominator and shows the total divisible number of equal parts in a whole, or in a collection.

When explaining fractions to a child, some of the most common examples in real life are equal slices of pizza, fruit, cake, or a bar of chocolate. Children may also learn through these foods that when the parts of the whole are unevenly divided, they don’t form fractions.

Using examples of fractions in everyday life can help children understand and visualize the math concept. Some examples you can use for older children include: 

  • splitting a bill at a restaurant into halves, thirds, or quarters
  • working out price comparisons in the grocery store when something is half price
  • looking at a clock and teaching them about half an hour and a quarter past

When it comes to helping a child with their math homework, fractions are probably what you will struggle with the most. The best place to start when explaining fractions to a child is to offer a description such as, “a fraction is any part of a group, number, or whole.” Then, using real-life experiences, fractions can become a little less scary.

Math Anxiety

For children, the world of math can be filled with despair and anxiety if they struggle to understand the concept of fractions truly. Fractions are known to be one of the main contributors to math anxiety and can be one of the most significant barriers to your child’s success in math. However, this can be avoided with the help of Dropkick Math Academy. Our programs are designed specifically to work with children to overcome any learning gaps they may have. Our programs include working with adding and subtracting fractions with like and unlike denominators. Children will also work with multiplying and dividing fractions with whole numbers and gain the ability to add and subtract fractions using mental math.

As children advance through our program, they will connect fractions, percents, and decimals and use each form flexibly. They will strengthen their proportional reasoning skills and develop proficiency with fractions. By the end of our program, children will have developed a solid foundation for secondary mathematics involving linear relationships, radian measures, and trigonometry.

Get Back On Track

If your child is struggling with fractions or other math operations, Dropkick Math can help get them back on track! We focus on the critical gaps in learning where children often show difficulty and provide an exciting way for students to thrive in mathematics by applying newly discovered techniques. 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.

We also address deficiencies through our innovative, research-based math learning techniques while correcting any underlying misconceptions about mathematics. All instructors are qualified Ontario Certified Teachers who can offer differentiated approaches, making it accessible for all learning needs.  

Show your child that math is fun by enrolling them in Dropkick Math Academy. Start with our FREE assessment today!

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Learn Math

5 Ways To Support Your Elementary School Child

5 Ways To Support Your Elementary School Child

5 Ways To Support Your Elementary School Child

5 Ways To Support Your Elementary School Child

When a child struggles in mathematics, parents need to become involved and help support their education. However, many parents aren’t sure where to start or how to properly support their child without being overbearing restricting or interfering. If you feel this way, you are not alone. It can be challenging to find the right balance when trying to support them when struggling.

As a co-founder of Dropkick Math, I spend many days giving back to my community by teaching parents how to become part of the equation in their child’s learning. I firmly believe that the key to a child getting the most out of their education is when a parent gets involved and supports them every step of the way.

How To Support Your Child

At Dropkick Math, we believe relationships are a big part of learning success. The following are the top 5 ways to support your elementary school child if they struggle with their education. 

Meet Your Child’s Teacher

Every parent should meet their child’s teacher, and there are many formal and informal opportunities to do so throughout the year. Attending parent/teacher conferences is a great way to show that you are an active and involved part of your child’s education. If you can’t make it during the scheduled time or date, make sure you reschedule and make it happen. Meeting a teacher is an excellent opportunity to create a positive relationship while understanding the teacher’s goals and learning about your child’s education.

Find The Right Kind Of Extra Help

Many children are experiencing an education gap caused by the pandemic. If your child is experiencing difficulty in the classroom, it may mean that their learning style could benefit from additional or different types of teaching. Dropkick Math help services fill in a child’s education gap and teaches them that math is fun.

Through exciting and educational games and quizzes, our programs offer students the opportunity to get help with their studies while enjoying learning.

Have A Positive Attitude Towards School

Parents often overlook the importance of their attitude towards mathematics. A child can easily pick up on math anxiety from a parent or mirror their lack of enthusiasm for studying math. It is important for parents to always keep a positive attitude towards education even if you believe there are flaws in the system or your own experience with school could have been better. By giving a child a role model, they will follow your lead and reach greater success.

Pay Attention To Report Cards

Currently, too many parents don’t pay attention to report cards the way they should. It is vital to understand how to read a report card so that you can better help your child succeed. Look beyond the letter grades and pay attention to report card comments and key areas your child may need to focus on. It is equally important to note the positive traits that your child is demonstrating in the classroom. Open a discussion with your child and offer praise where it is due and help where it may be needed.

Fun And Engaging Programs

Over the past couple of years, many parents and children have struggled with education. Dropkick Math offers programs that can help a child improve their math skills and get the parent/caregiver involved. With our fun and engaging programs, children will learn to become more at ease with math problems and build their confidence. 

Whether you are looking for help in math for grade 4,5 or 3, we have got you covered! Our team of qualified Ontario Certified Teachers understand the pandemic’s impact on children and can work towards building their confidence, allowing them to thrive in mathematics. 

By understanding the fundamentals of the four pillars of math, students can overcome any misunderstandings they are having and acquire new skills that will set them up for a future of success. To support your child, learn more about our programs today!

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Learn Math

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid Of Making Mistakes

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid Of Making Mistakes

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid Of Making Mistakes

Why You Shouldn’t Be Afraid Of Making Mistakes

Believe it or not, making mistakes in math is actually a good thing. Mistakes can not only be learning opportunities, but as students consider their mistakes, it can also be a time when their brains grow. So, the proper math learning techniques can be the key to a child’s confidence to make mistakes and learn from them. 

Normalize Mistakes

It is important to normalize mistakes and help children understand that it’s OK to make them, especially when they are learning something new. An excellent phrase to remind students of is, “I’m not going to be good at this right away, I’m going to make mistakes, and that’s OK.”

The way parents and teachers react to a child’s mistake can make all the difference in whether they continue to put in the effort or if they give up. So, it is vital to encourage your child to exercise their brain by trying those challenging activities and encouraging them even when they make a mistake. It is important to remember that it is the learning that happens after a mistake that moves the child forward in their understanding.

Mindset

Often, children develop a fixed mindset when it comes to learning math. They believe they either have “it,” or they don’t. They believe that understanding math is an innate gift rather than problem-solving skills that can be developed over time. 

It is crucial to let your children know that making mistakes is normal whenever they’re learning something new, no matter how old they are. Let your child know that you are still learning and making mistakes even as an adult. Explain to them that if they got everything right on the first try, they would not truly be learning anything. Remind them that learning can be filled with twists and turns, and mistakes are all part of the journey. 

Work Together

If your child is struggling with math concepts, work with them to better understand their thinking. Reassure the child that not only is making mistakes OK, but it will also allow them to go back and learn more about the root of the problem. Teach them that mistakes are just a sign that they’re learning and growing and that each one they make is a chance to rethink the question and work and understand it fully.

It can be helpful to share your personal experiences of growth in math or other areas. You could also ask your child to share some mistakes they have made in other subjects that they have overcome.

When students understand that mistakes are part of the learning process, it can help shift their perception of mistakes as something to embrace rather than avoid. This can eventually lead them to learn that mistakes are not just OK but also expected.

Safe Learning Environment

Math can be challenging for many students because there’s pressure to get the right answer. When they don’t get the correct answer, it can often trigger feelings of guilt or shame which can be difficult for those who struggle to embrace their mistakes.

But, a safe learning environment can allow students to take risks in discussions and in their work. It can help create opportunities for risk-taking and self-reflection at the end of each lesson. At Dropkick Math, we provide a safe community of support where students learn that the process is just as critical as arriving at the answer. 

We understand that some students believe math is fun, while others become almost paralyzed at the thought of numbers. That is why our programs are built to suit the child’s individual needs. We help the child approach math in a fun and engaging way and provide the parent/ guardian with the tools to support their child moving forward. Find out more about our programs and how we can help build your child’s confidence in mathematics.

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Math During Pandemic

Why Math Is More Affected Than Reading

Why Math Is More Affected Than Reading

Why Math Is More Affected Than Reading

Why Math Is More Affected Than Reading

Over the past two years, students have had to adjust to a different kind of school life. One week they are in class, and the next, they are in front of a screen and expected to learn the same way as if they were being taught in person. Students faced multiple schedule changes, were assigned new teachers mid-year, and battled with glitchy internet connections. It has perhaps been one of the most challenging times for educators and children in our history. 

Studies show that the impact of the pandemic on K-12 student learning has been significant, leaving students months behind on their learning, especially in mathematics. The fallout from the pandemic threatens to constrict this generation’s opportunities far into adulthood. The ripple effect could affect their chances of attending college and ultimately finding a job that enables them to support a family. 

Why is the Pandemic Loss Greater in Math?

This has been a uniquely challenging time for students, and it is no surprise that it has left its mark on student learning and well-being. Mathematics has been found to be the most affected than any other subject. Many students have become disengaged from school altogether and may have slipped backward, losing the skill or knowledge they once had. They have also simply learned less than they would in a previous year, which has led to unfinished learning. 

Educators believe this gap is due to a few possible reasons, including:

  • Unlike reading, math is best when formally learned at school. Teachers are trained to teach children in person using examples. Teachers find this much more challenging with virtual learning. 
  • When a child is struggling with math at home, parents often feel less equipped to help, leading to an obstacle in student progress. 
  • Math anxiety has been worsened by stress and trauma related to the pandemic. This can lead to students giving up on math and simply walking away when faced with work they can’t handle.

Compared to declines in reading, math learning has been found to be more significant and seen more in younger grades. Early learning experts are sounding the alarm that the youngest learners are the most affected and there is a need to help fill in those learning gaps they may be experiencing. 

How To Help Your Child In Math

Your attitude about learning can directly influence your child’s educational success. Decades of research have found that students’ success is positively impacted by parent involvement. At Dropkick Math, we believe that you are setting an example and strengthening your relationship when you learn alongside your child. Part of learning math is building your confidence in number sense, and your child will see this in you, giving them a boost as well. 

Math education has evolved over the years, and it is essential that you understand the way it is taught in order to help your child learn. We have developed our programs to involve the parent or caregiver. With Dropkick Math, you will learn the type of math your child is working on rather than trying to help them with the kind of math you were taught as a child. 

As one of the leading math tutoring services in Ontario, our trained instructors at Dropkick Math support learning key math skills by focusing on relationships and engaging the parent/guardian. Get started today by learning more about our programs. 

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