Tag: Math help services

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Learn Math

Why We Start With An Assessment

Why We Start With An Assessment

It is absolutely understandable as a parent that you might wonder why our math help services start with a comprehensive, detailed assessment. Your child’s journey towards better comprehension in mathematics should always start with a clear understanding of where they are at present and where they want to go. At Dropkick Math Academy, this mandatory first step is to make sure we’re on the right path together. 

We know that not all children learn at the same pace, and this is why it is imperative that we understand where your child may be experiencing gaps in their learning. Our Ontario-certified teachers are trained to not only teach but also to understand each child’s learning patterns, strengths, and areas that need improvement. All this essential information is mined from the initial assessment, painting a comprehensive picture of your child’s academic situation. 

The primary goal of an assessment is not to measure but to understand. It is the intersection where teaching meets learning. And that is why we start with an assessment – it’s not about testing your child but understanding them. Let’s delve into why the initial assessment at Dropkick Math Academy is so crucial: 

  • It helps us assign the appropriate tutor: The assessment helps us match your child with a teacher who’s best suited to their learning style and needs.
  • It helps us place children in the appropriate program: The results of the assessment allow us to understand which program is the right fit. 
  • It provides a starting point: By knowing where your child is, we can set realistic goals, plan the way forward, and measure progress.

So, while an initial assessment might seem daunting, it is, in fact, a stepping stone to a journey of exploration, understanding, and mastery in mathematics. We encourage every child to embrace it with an open mind, seeing it not as a challenge, but as a starting line from which they can sprint forward into a world of numbers, equations, and solutions. Let’s get started together.

The Importance Of Starting With An Assessment

At Dropkick Math Academy, we firmly believe that every child comes with a unique set of learning abilities, skills, and knowledge levels. Nothing exemplifies this more clearly than in the subject of math—it’s a universe that each child navigates differently. Therefore, to help them traverse this complex cosmos and excel, we start them with our FREE assessment. 

But, you might wonder, why do we emphasize on starting with an assessment? Here’s why. 

Identifying Individual Learning Needs with an Assessment 

The key to effective tutoring lies in the ability to customize the learning plan to fill specific gaps in a child’s understanding and extend their knowledge. But no need to worry, at Dropkick Math Academy, we do not throw your child in the deep end of mathematical equations and theorems. Instead, we use a thorough assessment to identify these gaps and understand their current level of proficiency. 

A good teacher never makes assumptions but instead builds on evidence-based knowledge. 

As such, beginning with an assessment equips our tutors with the right insights to develop the best-suited tutoring plan for your child. 

A Curriculum Tailored to Your Child’s Needs 

Once we have a clear snapshot of a child’s academic situation from the assessment, we then have the ability to place them in a program specifically for their needs. By creating a personalized roadmap for progress, our certified Ontario teachers are better positioned to help your child master fundamental skills, grasp new concepts and become comfortable with solving complex problems.  We currently offer 8 different programs and are consistently adding new curriculum. 

Building Confidence and Comfort from the Ground Up 

Learning starts with comfort and confidence. We understand that math can sometimes appear like an intimidating subject for some. Our detailed assessment goes a long way in alleviating any initial anxieties. It helps us understand not just the math skills, but also the child’s approach towards problem-solving, learning style, and emotional reactions to math problems. By addressing these aspects from the get-go, we foster a positive and comfortable learning environment which further enhances learning efficiency. This process can help alleviate any math anxiety your child may be experiencing. 

Understanding Your Child’s Academic Needs

Our aim isn’t just to be another tutoring program. We believe that the first step to helping your child succeed in math, or any subject for that matter, is to understand their academic needs thoroughly. That’s why we have put a hefty emphasis on initial assessments. 

An initial assessment provides us with a detailed perspective of your child’s current academic competence. Instead of jumping into tutoring, we first aim to comprehend where your child currently stands academically. This thorough understanding informs us about areas that need more emphasis, topics that your child might already excel in, and how we can best build a customized learning plan to cater to their specific needs. 

For instance, it is because of these assessments that we can recognise if your child is grappling with a particular concept, say fractions, but is extraordinary when dealing with equations. Having this knowledge at our fingertips will allow us to develop a plan that reinforces abilities in fractions, maintaining their strengths in equations and instigating a positive growth effort on their overall mathematics relationship. 

Our certified Ontario teachers are skilled at not only conducting these assessments but also interpreting the results in a way that provides true insight into your child’s academic situation. Besides, they ensure the comfort of your child throughout the process, creating an environment conducive to open communication and true reflection of their abilities. 

We want to make sure that we are not just addressing your child’s academic needs for now but setting them up for success in the long run. So, let us help you understand your child’s needs and actualize their academic potential. Together, let’s make learning an empowering journey for your child, starting with knowing where they are right now and where they want to be. At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe in paving the way for a brighter, more knowledgeable tomorrow for your child.

Certified Ontario Teachers: The Difference They Make

In our commitment to providing personalized, high-quality education, we are more than just an online math tutor using an assessment to place children in programs. Dropkick Math Academy exclusively employs certified Ontario teachers. This discerning choice substantially impacts the quality of education your child receives, coupled with the familiarity it affords our educators with the provincial curriculum. 

What difference do certified Ontario teachers make? 

  1. Curriculum Expertise: Certified Ontario teachers have undergone rigorous training and examination in the Ontario school curriculum. This intimate knowledge allows them to identify where a student’s understanding diverges from curriculum expectations, thus making a targeted intervention possible. The teachers know the curriculum standards and can teach towards your child meeting and exceeding those standards.
  2. Proven Pedagogical Skills: A certified Ontario teacher has a toolbox of effective teaching strategies, honed through years of training and in-class experience. They can translate complex mathematical concepts into understandable terms, adjust teaching methods based on a child’s learning style, and effectively manage time to ensure comprehensive coverage of topics. This versatility enhances your child’s ability to grasp mathematical concepts in a way that makes sense.
  3. Continuous Professional Development: Ontario teachers are required to partake in ongoing professional learning. This means they are always on the cutting edge of educational practices, strengthening their teaching abilities and staying updated on changes in curriculum or teaching methods.

This high standard of quality in our educators provides parents with peace of mind that Dropkick Math Academy students are being taught by professionals in tune with Ontario’s education system. Our certified teachers give your child the added benefit of experience and expertise to ensure they excel not just at the academy, but also in their regular school environment. 

Beyond their knowledge and experience, our tutors offer your child an empathetic, encouraging environment. They continually build and nurture a learning space where questions are welcomed, difficult topics are tackled with tenacity, and successes are celebrated. In this caring environment, children grow in skill and confidence, overcoming mathematical challenges with ease and enjoyment. 

In conclusion, our quest at Dropkick Math Academy is to understand the distinctive academic needs of each child and tailor our tutoring programs to meet those requirements. Using methods that adhere to Ontario’s high educational standards, our team of certified teachers aim to transform children’s perception of math from intimidating to intriguing. 

A Beneficial Tool

Assessments are not about judging your child. Instead, they are a beneficial tool that enables us to identify and navigate through any challenges your child may be facing. But how does our FREE assessment work? Simply click this link to and sign up. You will receive an email with your exclusive invitation to start the assessment when it is convenient for your child. 

The assessment is game-based and takes your child on a fun and engaging adventure where they answer specific questions to test their level of understanding. There are no calculators allowed and we ask that there is no help from parents or guardians. We need to understand where children may be missing some gaps in their education. 

Once your child has completed the assessment, a member from the Dropkick Math Academy team will look over the scores and email you with the appropriate program for your child. 

We believe in the potential of every child that crosses our threshold. That is why we take initial assessments seriously, to ensure that we are commencing their educational journey on a note of comprehension and awareness. Our commitment extends beyond just academic prosperity, to nurturing a climate of growth, curiosity and ambition. 

Get started with our FREE assessment today and start your child on their academic journey that will set them up for a bright future.

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Learn Math Math Programs Math Tutoring

Reversing Summer Slide

Reversing Summer Slide

Imagine your child conquering math problems with the confidence of an explorer discovering new lands, their eyes bright with curiosity and determination. Now, imagine the summer sun shining, the school’s out, and that spark of academic achievement slowly dims as math problems are replaced with ice cream parlours and sandcastles. That’s the summer slide, an all-too-familiar decline in educational progress over the vacation period. 

Summer slide is like a gremlin in the education world; it sneakily steals away hard-earned academic gains as kids bask in the freedom of summer vacation. But don’t fear! There are many ways to outsmart this gremlin without sacrificing a fun-filled summer.

At Dropkick Math Academy, we offer math help services that are aimed at diminishing summer slide. 

With our approach, parents can turn the tables, making summer an opportunity to solidify and even enhance their children’s math skills. Here’s how to empower your little geniuses during those sun-kissed days and starlit nights.

Why is the Summer Slide a problem and how it affects your child?

Picture this: It’s the first day back to school after a long, sunny summer break. Armed with a fresh set of school supplies, your child steps into the math classroom, ready to conquer. But your child’s face falls as the teacher begins to review last year’s curriculum. Numbers and concepts that were once familiar now seem distant and confusing. This, my friend, is the infamous ‘summer slide’ in action. 

So, what exactly is the summer slide? In simple terms, it’s the loss of academic skills and knowledge over the course of summer vacation. And the subject that takes the biggest hit? You guessed it – math. Researchers have found that students can lose up to two months of math skills during summer. Just imagine the impact of this loss year after year! 

But it’s not just about forgetting the multiplication table or the formula to calculate the area of a circle. The summer slide can lead to a confidence slide too. As the child struggles to remember and catch up, their confidence in their math abilities may take a hit. And we all know how crucial confidence is when it comes to learning and succeeding in any field. 

Furthermore, this learning loss can widen the achievement gap between students. Those who have access to continuous learning opportunities during summer maintain or even improve their skills, while others fall behind. This gap can be hard to bridge when the school year starts again. 

Now that we understand the problem, the question is – how can we work together to reverse this summer slide? The good news is there are plenty of fun, engaging ways to keep math skills sharp over the summer. Stay tuned for some awesome ideas and tips!

What are the signs that your child is experiencing the Summer Slide?

If your child forgets things they previously mastered or if they’re struggling with problems they could once handle with ease, this might be your first clue. Remember, it’s normal for kids to need some review, but if you’re seeing a significant decrease in their math skills, you’re likely dealing with the summer slide. 

Another sign is a decline in the child’s confidence or enjoyment in math. If they’re suddenly dreading math problems or avoiding them entirely, this could be because their skills have slipped and they’re feeling unsure. 

Does Your Child’s Behavior Seem Different? 

Changes in your child’s attitude towards math can be another giveaway. If your child was once enthusiastic about solving math problems and now seems uninterested, unengaged, or frustrated, the summer slide might be the culprit. 

Always remember, you know your child best. If something feels off, it’s worth looking into. So, keep your detective hat on and let’s tackle this summer slide together!

How to prevent the Summer Slide in Math this summer

First off, let’s ditch the notion that math is a chore. How about we think of it as a puzzle, an adventure, or better yet, a treasure hunt? The key to preventing summer slide in math is to make it an exciting part of your child’s day. 

You can also make use of online resources. Many educational platforms offer fun and interactive math games. These games reinforce what children learn during the school year and help keep their skills sharp over the summer. 

Remember that practice makes perfect. Encourage your child to spend 15-30 minutes working on math problems each day. This can be through workbooks, online programs, or simply creating your own problems for them to solve. The aim is not to burden them with homework, but to keep their problem-solving skills active. 

You may also want to consider summer math camps or online math tutor for your child. At Dropkick Math Academy, we offer a structured environment where learning and fun go hand in hand. Plus, your child will get to meet other math enthusiasts! 

Incorporating Math Into Everyday Activities And Turning It Into A Fun Experience

Most parents would agree that convincing your child to practice math skills over summer vacation can be as tough as solving a complex algebra equation. But what if I told you that it could be as simple as baking a batch of cookies or planning a family outing? The secret to reversing the summer slide lies in integrating math into everyday activities and making it a fun-filled learning journey. 

Let’s ‘bake’ the summer slide away! 

Transform your kitchen into a magical math lab. Baking is all about measurements and timing. Engage your child in baking their favourite cookies. Ask them to measure the ingredients, time the baking process, and even divide the cookies for sharing. They’ll practice fractions, measurements, and time calculations without realizing it. 

Turn shopping into a problem-solving session 

Next time you’re at the supermarket, hand over the shopping list to your child. Let them calculate the total cost, figure out the best deals, and even count the change. This exercise sharpens their addition and subtraction skills and imparts critical life skills. 

Take learning outdoors 

Planning a family picnic or a mini-vacation? Involve your child in the planning process. Let them calculate the distance, time, and cost involved. They can also help plan the meals, practice budgeting, and even map reading. This real-world exposure to math concepts will help them appreciate the practical importance of math. 

Remember, the goal is to keep it fun and stress-free. The idea is not to bombard them with math problems but subtly integrate math into their daily lives. This way, they’ll stay math-ready, all set to beat the summer slide!

The Importance of Keeping Children Engaged Year Round

At Dropkick Math Academy, we understand the importance of keeping children engaged in education year-round. That’s why we take the potential effects of summer slide so seriously.

We want to do everything we can to prevent summer slide from setting in, which is why we offer summer programs designed to keep students learning and growing even when school is out. We take learning math operations and turn it around to be fun and engaging. We offer a variety of programs to fit your child, no matter their level of understanding. 

Our math help services are offered throughout the summer months and are designed to help your child stay on track. Learn more today, and get started with our FREE assessment.

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Learn Math Math Programs Math Tutoring

How To Have Deeper Conversations With Children About Math

How To Have Deeper Conversations With Children About Math

Do you struggle to have meaningful conversations with your children about math? Of course, we want our kids to understand and remember their math lessons, but that’s not the only goal. Communicating honestly and openly during conversations about complex topics like mathematics can help create deeper connections between parents and children while building self-confidence and problem-solving skills. 

Today, we’ll explore some simple tips for cultivating a dialogue around mathematical learning that both adults and children can benefit from. We want children to think “math is fun” and want to be eager to learn. With proper conversations, you can help your child become more interested in mathematics and willing to engage more at school. 

Listen

When talking to your child about math, giving them a chance to be heard is important. Listening to what they have to say shows that you value their ideas and can lead to fruitful conversations that promote interest in the subject. Taking the time to actively listen to your child during these conversations can also help strengthen your relationship with them, creating a safe space where they feel comfortable discussing any topic. 

Remember, math can be tricky and potentially intimidating for some children, but by actively engaging with them and showing that you are listening attentively, you can help ease any anxieties they may have and develop a shared interest in the subject.

Don’t Interrupt

When it comes to having conversations with our children about math, it’s important to remember not to interrupt them if they pause. As parents, we tend to assume that any moments of silence during a conversation mean our child is struggling to express themselves. However, it’s important to remember that pauses are a natural part of communication and that children often need extra time to gather their thoughts. 

We can help our children feel more comfortable expressing themselves and building their confidence in math by waiting patiently. So, the next time your child needs a moment to think during a math conversation, try to resist the urge to interrupt and wait patiently for them to continue speaking when they are ready.

Ask For Their Reasoning

As parents and educators, our goal is to support our children’s learning in any way we can. When it comes to math, it may be tempting to simply give an answer or explain a formula to a child who is struggling with a question. However, taking the time to truly understand our child’s point of view can make all the difference. 

By asking questions such as, “Can you tell me more?” or “How would you explain it to someone else?”, we can encourage our children to articulate their thought process and gain a deeper understanding of the math concept at hand. Focusing on our child’s perspective helps them improve their math skills and fosters critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in the long run.

Fostering A Math Relationship

By engaging in deeper conversations with your child about math, you are proving to them that you care about their ideas and helping to boost their confidence. Math can often be seen as a dry and technical subject, lacking the excitement and creativity that many children seek in their studies. However, by initiating meaningful conversations about math with your child, you can help show them that math is filled with opportunities for exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving. 

By breaking down complex concepts into understandable language, you can develop a shared understanding of the subject and enable your child to develop the skills they need to succeed in this challenging field.

Positive Math Talk

When speaking with your child, it is essential to keep the conversation positive to counteract any negative feelings children may hold towards mathematics. Positive math talk is a teaching approach that aims to change students’ attitudes toward mathematics and problem-solving through the use of positive language. It encourages students to develop a growth mindset and have a willingness to try new things. 

When teachers use positive math talk in the classroom, it creates a comfortable and encouraging learning environment that students feel comfortable to engage in. Rather than focusing on the negativity and pressure associated with math, this teaching approach motivates children to approach problem-solving with enthusiasm and optimism. This method has been shown to increase student’s confidence in math and improve their overall performance.

Talking About Math

At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe that talking about math can help children better understand complex concepts. By engaging in conversation about math, our tutors can help build a child’s confidence and spark curiosity to help them thrive in future studies. 

In our programs, we don’t simply show children how to solve problems, we discuss the ways the answer could be achieved. We also try to use examples of how math is used in everyday life and even include financial literacy in some programs. By conversing with children about math and teaching them how it is part of everyday life, we can help them become more engaged in their studies. 

If your child is struggling with math, speaking with them about it is an excellent place to start. A deep conversation can help them understand that you are there to listen and help them. It can also give you a good idea of where their misunderstandings of math may be. 

If your child appears to have a gap in learning, a math tutor may be the answer. At Dropkick Math Academy, we focus on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, and algebraic reasoning). This can help children better understand the root of math instead of simply teaching them how to get through the math question they may be stuck on at that moment in time. Our unique curriculum will equip children to handle future math concepts. 

So, if you are looking for a math tutor that goes the extra mile, don’t just hit Google and search for ‘grade 4 math help.’ Contact Dropkick Math Academy. Our group of certified Ontario teachers can help your child overcome their fear of math and set them up for continued success!

Get started by learning more about our programs today. 

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Math Tutoring

Why A Virtual Math Tutor May Be Better For Your Child

Why A Virtual Math Tutor May Be Better For Your Child

As parents, we want our children to succeed academically. We want them to have the necessary resources and opportunities available to them as they work hard toward their education. But with today’s realities, it can be difficult for parents to provide their children with in-person math tutoring services due to various restrictions such as time or cost. 

Fortunately, with the development of technology, math help online can offer a viable alternative which comes with fewer financial and time costs while still allowing your child to receive high-quality instruction. Dropkick Math Academy is known as a leading provider of Waterloo math services serving the surrounding areas. 

The Benefits Of Virtual Math Tutoring

Virtual math tutoring services are becoming increasingly popular as they provide a plethora of advantages over traditional face-to-face tutoring. With virtual math tutoring, students gain access to one-on-one instruction from qualified teachers who understand each student’s abilities and can adjust their teaching style accordingly. 

The interactive nature of online learning means that teachers can use visuals and other instructional aids to ensure deeper learning during each session. At Dropkick Math Academy, we ditch the boring textbooks and use game-based learning to make our programs more engaging for children who need a more stimulating way of learning. This can result in quicker academic progress for many students.

In addition, virtual tutors are more cost-effective when compared to traditional learning methods; you don’t need to pay for expensive textbooks or enroll your child in an after-school program, which may add up quickly. At Dropkick Math Academy, we take it one step further by offering a payment plan that is charged every couple of weeks so that you can budget accordingly.

One of the biggest benefits of virtual math tutoring is the convenience it provides. There’s no need for your child to travel back and forth between school or home, where parents may need to interrupt their workday to make sure they get to tutoring on time. 

Virtual sessions can occur at your child’s pace and comfort level, allowing them to gain the confidence needed to progress. Plus, since lesson materials are sent directly through email, your child will have easy access to them should they want to practice outside of regular session times!

Stories Of Success!

While there are various general benefits of getting math help online, there are also large achievements that can be seen in individual students. For example, children who shy away from group tutoring may excel in Dropkick Math’s math tutoring as we only allow a maximum of four students per class. This means your child will still have the advantage of learning from their peers without being overwhelmed and feeling lost in a large group of students. 

At Dropkick Math Academy, we take pride in helping children gain the confidence they need to succeed in mathematics. This is why we love hearing stories from parents who have seen a change in their children after using our virtual math tutoring.

For example, parents have shared stories with us about how their children with learning differences came to Dropkick Math Academy with very little confidence. But, with our innovative math learning techniques, they learned how to conquer their fear of math and began to enjoy learning the subject. 

Children who don’t do well in a traditional classroom thrive with our fun and engaging tutoring style. We have many testimonials of parents who saw a whole new level of interest from their child in mathematics due to our teaching methods. 

These are the stories we love to hear! At Dropkick Math Academy, we strive to give children the confidence they need to conquer math and excel in the future. 

How Virtual Learning Allows Children To Learn Together

At Dropkick Math Academy, our group classes allow students of similar ability levels to learn together without feeling intimidated by those who may be ahead in terms of comprehension or speed – something which may happen when two students attempt the same course through traditional means such as a classroom setting. 

Small group classes can also come in handy for parents whose children require peer interaction when engaging with course material but may not have enough friends interested in this field. Our classes create a fun and engaging space where children can virtually work together while gaining the confidence in mathematics to help them succeed. 

A Valuable Solution

For parents looking for reliable ways to assist their children in pursuing better grades than would otherwise be possible without extra help, virtual math tutoring offers a valuable solution worth considering – particularly if physically visiting instructors isn’t feasible due to financial or time constraints or other factors at hand. 

At Dropkick Math Academy, we have Ontario-certified teachers who can tailor their lessons toward each student’s unique needs. Plus, there is no need to shop for costly supplies. All materials needed for our programs will be mailed to students at no additional charge before the class starts. With all of these conveniences of online math help – what’s not to love?

Learn more about our programs today, and get your child started with our Early Indicators Assessment.

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Action Plan For Students

New Funding Available From The Ontario Government

New Funding Available From The Ontario Government

Are you a resident in Ontario? If so, did you know that you can apply for direct Catch Up payments to help pay for student learning support? These payments can range from $200 to $250 and are meant to fill gaps that may have emerged from the disruption of education due to COVID‑19. 

This is an important program that Ontario has specially developed for its residents, and it can provide invaluable support to those struggling with their educational needs. Altogether, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of if you’re an Ontario resident. The Ontario government wants its citizens to succeed and is providing these Catch Up payments as a way to do just that! And the best part – it can be used towards math help services such as Dropkick Math Academy!

Using The Ontario Catch-Up Payments

Ontario Catch Up payments are a great way to get the tutoring your child needs without breaking the bank. If you have been worried that your budget won’t cover costs, these Ontario-regulated payments can help lower fees and make tutoring more achievable. 

It’s an ideal solution for families needing assistance in math but who don’t want to spend too much money. With Ontario Catch Up payments, you can put worries about budget aside and focus on finding the right tutor, so your child gets the help they need at school.

Who Is Eligible?

Ontario families with students aged 18 and under enrolled in school are encouraged to take advantage of the recently announced catch-up payment. This payment provides financial support to Ontario households affected by COVID-19, allowing them to get back on their feet. Additionally, Ontario residents with children between 18 and 21 with special needs may also be eligible for this payment program. If you think you qualify for the Catch Up payments, please visit Ontario’s website for more details and eligibility criteria.

But don’t wait! The deadline to apply is March 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

How To Apply?

The Ontario government has made applying for the Catch Up payments easy. Simply visit their website and sign up through their secure website. You will need to create a profile to check the status of your application. Only one parent/guardian is eligible to apply and receive payment, and you must submit a separate application for each student.  

For more information about applying for the Catch Up payments, visit the Ontario government FAQ page. 

Why Use Payment Towards Dropkick Math Academy?

We understand that you can hire any math tutor for your child. However, Dropkick Math Academy provides more than simple math tutoring—we provide an in-depth educational resource with professional and certified Ontario teachers who are passionate about helping your child understand the core concepts of mathematics. 

Dropkick Math is more than just an online math tutor. We are dedicated to making sure that each student has a custom-tailored approach that celebrates their unique talents and builds upon them so they can gain valuable knowledge for years to come. Academic success isn’t just about getting the right answers, it’s understanding why those answers are correct. Dropkick Math Academy ensures that your child understands how to get the answer and why it is correct every step of the way.

Game-Based Learning

Dropkick Math Academy has taken the educational approach to learning one step further. Instead of traditional instruction, Dropkick Math Academy incorporates game-based learning into its curriculum. Research shows that this hands-on approach is beneficial for children as they are more engaged and learn more when playing games. 

Dropkick Math Academy makes use of this research and enables children to have fun while they learn. This has translated into better performance in math and greater engagement during classes, making Dropkick Math Academy an ideal choice for any student wanting to improve their skills and learn math operations in a more enjoyable way.

At Dropkick Math, we prioritize that our games be tested and adjusted during creation to guarantee their effectiveness as learning tools. The courses are carefully designed with the most up-to-date educational approaches, thereby providing students with an optimal learning experience. Moreover, game elements can be quickly changed whenever new information becomes available or if the educational approaches need to be adjusted. This allows us to stay up to date and provide our students with the best resources for their success.

Recovering From The Pandemic

As the pandemic shifts to our rear mirror, research into the pandemic’s effect on our children’s education is just beginning to roll in. Of all the subjects that children have been impacted by, math has taken one of the hardest hits. With public school districts across the globe having little to no time to prepare for the massive shift in learning and teaching styles, many students fell behind in their math studies. 

Now our focus needs to be shifted towards bridging that gap of learning and bringing our students back up to speed. The pandemic has had a major effect on our children’s education, but its effects do not have to be lasting if we take action now.

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. 

Free Programs

At Dropkick Math, we proudly offer our math tutoring services as part of the Learning Action Recovery Plan. We have partnered with school boards throughout the province and are able to offer some students FREE programs. These programs are funded by the Ontario government and offer students math help services by certified Ontario teachers. 

Visit our page today to see if your child is eligible for funded programs. If your child is not registered in one of the school boards we currently partner with, the Ontario Catch Up funding is another great way to get started with our programs. 

Learn more about our programs and register your child for math tutoring today!

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Learn Math

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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Learn Math Math During Pandemic

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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Online Math Tutor

When You Should Speak To Your Child’s Math Teacher

When You Should Speak To Your Child’s Math Teacher

Any parent with a school-aged child knows that math can be a challenge. Sometimes, it can be hard to know when to step in and offer math help with their homework or when to let the teacher take the lead. By contacting your child’s teacher, they may be able to help. However, many parents often wonder when they should be reaching out.

While there is no definite answer as to when parents should start communicating with their children’s teachers about their academics, there are some guidelines that could be of help. As a general rule, if you are questioning whether you should reach out to your child’s teacher, it is time to speak with them. 

Staying Informed

The decision of when exactly to start speaking with one’s child’s teacher depends on multiple factors such as individual parenting styles, the age of the student, and subjects being covered in class. In general, communication between all these entities should gradually increase as the academic year progresses. By following these simple guidelines, parents will hopefully find themselves more informed and able to assist their children in reaching success at school and home!

A Support System

Good communication between parents and teachers is essential for ensuring that children thrive in school. Even if a child is doing well in math and seems to be having no trouble in school, it is still generally recommended that parents communicate with teachers regularly to build a support system for the child. This is because the home and school environments are both important for a child’s development, and parents and teachers need to work together to provide the best possible education for the child. If there are no immediate problems, most teachers recommend checking in with them every couple of months. 

A supportive system is essential for every child to reach their full potential. A support system should include a parent or guardian involved in their child’s education and a teacher invested in their students’ success. A parent or guardian can provide support at home by helping with homework, monitoring progress, and communicating with the child’s teacher. A teacher can support the classroom by teaching effectively, providing feedback, and creating a positive learning environment. When both a parent and teacher are providing support, it increases the child’s chances of academic success.

Addressing Issues

As a math teacher, I am often asked by parents how their child is doing in class. While report cards provide a snapshot of a student’s grades at the end of each marking period, they may not be able to identify any areas of struggle until it is too late to address them. For this reason, I believe it is extremely helpful for parents to receive regular updates on their child’s progress. Whether it is through a parent-teacher conference, email, or phone call, taking the time to keep parents in the loop can make a world of difference. Not only will they be able to identify any areas of concern early on, but they will also be aware of any successes their child is having. As a result, parents can play an active role in their child’s education, allowing them time before report cards come out to address any issues if necessary. 

However, it is important not to smother one’s child with too much guidance and hovering; otherwise, they may feel inadequate or shy away from asking for help when needed. Your child’s teacher will be able to help advise you on how much help you should be offering your child if they are struggling and how often you should stay in contact with the school.  

Asking For Help

It can be difficult for parents to know how their child is progressing in school, especially if their child is hesitant to ask for help. However, by keeping communication channels open with their child’s teacher, parents can help ensure their child doesn’t fall behind. This communication can be especially important for those students who tend to be shy or introverted, as they may be less likely to ask for help independently. By remaining involved in their child’s education, parents can play an essential role in helping them succeed in school.

When reaching out to a teacher for support, they can offer advice for homework or activities that parents can do with their children that can be beneficial for math learning. Teachers are a wealth of information and are happy to offer advice to help your child succeed in their education. Just like you would tell your child to ask for help, as a parent, there is nothing wrong with asking a teacher for help!

Relationships

At Dropkick Math, we believe relationships are the primary key to learning success. Our programs offer the option for parents to become involved in the learning process. Our 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!

Our teachers offer a different approach to math tutoring, breaking down the misunderstanding of mathematics and making learning fun. While there are many math help websites, Dropkick Math Academy is the first of its kind in Ontario to offer an interactive, fun learning experience taught by certified Ontario teachers. 

Learn more about our programs today!

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Proportional Reasoning

Is Your Child A Proportional Thinker?

Is Your Child A Proportional Thinker

Is Your Child A Proportional Thinker?

 

Is Your Child A Proportional ThinkerWhen your child comes to you for math help, you may think they are speaking an entirely different language. The way that math operations are now taught have most likely changed since you were in school and appear completely different. Not only is the representation different, but the way your child speaks about math may also be different. 

We recognize these barriers between parent and child when discussing mathematics, which is why at Dropkick Math, we believe it is so important to educate the child and the parent. When you get involved and upgrade your education on the foundation of math, you can better help your child in their studies. 

The Four Pillars

We focus our programs on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, algebraic reasoning, proportional reasoning). It is vital that every student fully understands each of these four pillars as the foundational concepts because one weak pillar can significantly impact future success. 

Proportional reasoning is often considered the foundation to abstract mathematical understanding as it is a unifying theme throughout mathematics. However, it is estimated that over half of the adult population are not proportional thinkers. So how can you tell if your child is a proportional thinker?

If your child can generally distinguish between additive relationships, (e.g., 8 is 6 more than 2) and multiplicative relationships, (e.g., 8 is 4 times as much as 2) they may be a proportional thinker. If they are able to compare ratios, they also may be a proportional thinker. Overall if your child can describe relationships between two or more things and see groups of items in various ways, they may be a proportional thinker.

Proportional Thinking Education

It is vital for all children to acquire good proportional reasoning skills to take them through school and later in life. The importance of proportional reasoning for students is often focused in junior and intermediate grades. Still, many educators believe it is vital to grasp these skills in kindergarten and primary grades when students begin grouping, unitizing, (e.g., one dime is a unit of 10 pennies) and sharing.

Students begin to use proportional reasoning early in math education. They often start by thinking of groups of numbers rather than whole numbers. For example, they may think of 10 as two groups of 5. Later on in education, proportional reasoning is used slightly differently. An example of this may be thinking how a speed of 50/km an hour is the same speed as 25/km per 30 minutes. Continuing in their education, students will use proportional reasoning when learning about percents, rates of change, and slopes of lines.

How Is Proportional Reasoning Used?

But proportional reasoning isn’t just used for mathematics. Many may be surprised to know that proportional reasoning can be helpful in other subject areas such as music, geography, and science. On a daily basis, people also use proportional reasoning to calculate taxes, find the best deals at a store, or adjust recipes.

From these examples, it is easy to see how thinking proportionally is critical in developing a child’s understanding of mathematics. But young children don’t think proportionately naturally. Proportional thinking must be developed as a foundational skill of our most basic math concepts, which is why many parents explore math tutoring for their children. 

As one of the four main pillars of mathematics, our programs help students learn proportional reasoning and fill in any underlying misconceptions they may have. Our math help services are built to suit each child, offering differentiated approaches, making it accessible for all learning needs.  

Learn more about our programs and how we can help ensure your child becomes a proportional thinker in mathematics and throughout life!

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Learn Math

5 Signs Your Child Needs Help In Math

5 Signs Your Child Needs Help In Math

5 Signs Your Child Needs Help In Math

5 Signs Your Child Needs Help In Math

Does your child need help with their math?

Believe it or not, sometimes it’s difficult to tell. Many parents often believe their child only needs math tutoring if they struggle in school. However, with the disruption in learning caused by COVID over the past couple of years, it is becoming commonplace for students of all skill levels to get math help services.

But, at-home tutors can be costly, and they often only go over immediate concepts that the student is having trouble with. They can help students get through the task at hand, but tutoring only helps in a Band-Aid style format. It doesn’t always allow the student to learn the root of the concept they were initially struggling with and won’t set them up with the skills needed for their future. This is why many students prefer Dropkick Math programs over traditional math tutoring. Our programs address the immediate issues a student may be having and sets them up for future success in learning. 

If a child needs help with their math studies, signs often signal they are struggling. The following are some of the most common warning signs that your child may need some extra help this year. 

Level Of Frustration

Even if your child is able to figure out answers to a math problem, one thing to look out for is their level of frustration when doing their homework. Did it take a long time for them to complete it? Were they vocal in saying they didn’t understand it? If your child’s homework becomes a long, frustrating task, it may be time for help.

Frustration is often a result of your child not having mastered the basic foundations in math. This can cause them to struggle with a topic or lesson as it becomes more challenging. You might find that they understand some of the concepts, but they start facing difficulty when required to perform more advanced skills on their own.

Unfortunately, your child’s math class will move on to the next topic regardless of whether all the students have mastered what is being taught. So, a sign of frustration may mean your child has not comprehended what has been taught in the classroom.

5 Signs Your Child Needs Help In Math

Your Child’s Grades Are Slipping

Your child’s grades can slip without moving to the point of extreme concern. For example, your child may have previously excelled in math, mainly earning A’s on their assignments, but you may start to realize that they have slipped into Bs. It may not seem like too big of a deal as your child may still be excelling in performing better than some of his or her peers. While this may be true, if your child’s grades are slipping, this may mean they’re losing confidence or haven’t fully grasped the concepts being taught.

If your child’s grades are starting to slip, it is essential to act on them before hitting an alarming point. Offering your child math help when they are still making decent grades is far easier than pulling up a failing grade to passing.

Lack Of Enthusiasm

Not every child will be a cheerleader for every subject in school, but if your child once loved mathematics and doesn’t anymore, it may be time to check in with them to see what’s going on. Their loss of enthusiasm for math may mean that they are struggling with the topic they are currently learning in school. It may mean it just isn’t as fun as it used to be to them.

If this is the case, reaching out for help to Dropkick Math may definitely help remedy the problem. Our programs will work with your child to understand the concepts and present the strategies in a fun and engaging way to help inspire their love of math again.

Loss Of Confidence

It may be time to take action if your former math-loving child starts saying things like, “I’m just not good at math.” This loss of confidence may mean that your child is finding the math concepts that are now being taught more confusing.

If your child is showing signs that they are lacking confidence in themselves when learning math, it may be time to look into math help services.

Your Child Asks For Help

Nothing can be more of a warning sign than if your child asks for help. While not every student is straightforward and will ask their parents for a tutor, some may recognize when they need additional help and support.

If your child reaches out to you and expresses that they may need math help, it is important to listen to their requests and open the conversation about why they feel they need the help. This can help you better understand their situation so you can assess how much help they may need and how they may be falling behind in their education.

How We Can Help

Math tutoring and support come in many forms and are no longer limited to hiring a local high school or college student to sit with your child at home or in the library. While that model may work for some, many students are eager for a more interactive and convenient approach that focuses on building relationships.

At Dropkick Math, we offer online Waterloo math services to help your child build solid foundations and improve their math skills and grades. Our programs focus on the four pillars of math and can help your child no matter how much they are struggling.

For more information on our programs or to learn if they are suitable for your child, contact us today.

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