math tutor near me Archives - DKM Homeschool Resource

Should Your Child Try “Free” Tutoring?

We all want the best for our children, and that often includes ensuring they have the best education possible. But in today’s economy, many families are also looking for ways to reduce expenses. One option that is often considered is hiring a free tutor. But would free tutoring be a good option for your family? Before hiring a tutor, be sure to weigh the pros and cons of free tutoring first.

Do Your Research

Parents want what is best for their children, and that includes getting a good education. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education, and many parents are looking for ways to give their children a leg up in these subject areas. One option that has become increasingly popular is hiring a math tutor. However, not all tutors are created equal. It is important to do your research and learn about each program before committing to anything.

Children, math tutor, free. These are all words that, on the surface, seem to go together. After all, what could be more appealing than getting a free math tutor for your child? However, you should consider a few things before taking advantage of free tutoring services. First of all, while the service may be free, it’s important to remember that you usually get what you pay for. The quality of the instruction may not be as high as you would get from a paid tutor. Additionally, free tutors may not be as reliable as paid ones. They may not be able to commit to regular sessions or may cancel at the last minute. This can be frustrating for children who are trying to learn and make progress.

Traditional free math tutoring often only offers help to students in a “Band-Aid style” format, fixing only any miscomprehension of current lessons. This does not address the root cause of misunderstanding mathematical calculations, which may lead to students left feeling frustrated or even ultimately defeated down the line. Most free tutors will most likely not provide children with focused learning so they will never get to the root of their misunderstanding.

Finally, free tutors may not have the same level of experience or qualifications as paid tutors. While they may be passionate about math, they may not have the same expertise as someone who has been formally trained in teaching children. So while free tutoring sounds like a great opportunity, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. By taking the time to do your homework, you can ensure that you find a tutor who will help your child succeed in math.

Our “Free” Programs

At Dropkick Math, we are proud partners with some of Ontario’s school boards. This means that we are able to offer free programs to students in participating school boards as part of Ontario’s Learning Recovery Action Plan For Students. The plan is designed to help students who have been struggling in school catch up and get back on track. It invests heavily in tutoring support and includes summer learning, a focus on reading, math and other foundational skills, as well as targeted initiatives intended to address unique barriers that some students may face.

So, yes, students who are eligible for this program can enroll in Dropkick Math Academy for free, since it is funded by the Ontario government. Since this is a government-funded initiative, the programs offered through the Learning Recovery Action Plan are the same ones provided for other students who may not be part of the school boards who are participating. There are no shortened modules or missing information. Our programs are all the same whether your child comes to us through the Learning Recovery Action Plan or not.

How We Differ

At Dropkick Math, our programs are designed specifically around closing gaps due to missed learning. We differ from traditional tutors by focusing on the critical learning gaps and using modern innovative teaching techniques to address deficiencies while correcting any underlying misunderstood formulas.

We also aren’t just an alternative to hiring a free tutor. We offer fun and exciting math help services as a way for students to thrive in mathematics. Our innovative programs use engaging games to focus on the fundamental misunderstandings children may have in math and provide them with the skills they need to keep advancing to the next level of competency. By focusing on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, algebraic reasoning, and proportional reasoning), our programs help students fully understand the base fundamentals of mathematics. At the conclusion of our Waterloo math services program, students can persevere through vigorous math challenges, ask questions for clarification, and learn from valuable mistakes.

Build Confidence

Mathematics can be a challenge for many students of all ages. Dropkick Math aims to break down those challenges and build confidence with a complete understanding of math and its relationship to real-world situations through a fun and engaging learning environment. By making math fun and engaging, children will want to participate and learn more, setting themselves up for a future built on success.

Get started today by learning more about our programs and having your child complete the free assessment.

How Technology Will Play A Large Role In The Future Of Education

As technology advances at an alarming rate, it’s no secret that its influence is being felt in all aspects of life, including education. While there are some who may be apprehensive about how technology will change the educational landscape, there are many reasons to believe that it will play a large role in the future of education. Some of the advantages that technology brings to the table include increased access to information, opportunities for personalized learning, and more efficient ways of communicating and sharing ideas. As more schools embrace digital learning tools and strategies, parents can feel confident that their children are getting the best possible education.

How Education is Changing

As parents, we want what is best for our children. We hope that they will have opportunities to succeed in whatever they choose to do in life. One of the most important things we can do for our children is to provide them with a good education. In the past, this has meant sending them to a traditional school where they are taught in a classroom setting. However, with the advent of technology, the way that education is delivered is changing.

Technology has always been a part of education, but it was usually reserved for special classes or for students who needed extra help. However, technology has become a front and centre effort to keep classrooms running with the pandemic outbreak. From Zoom calls to Google Classroom, technology has allowed educators to continue teaching even when they can’t be in the same room as their students. And while there have been some challenges associated with this transition, overall, it has been a positive experience for both students and teachers. With the use of technology, students have been able to stay engaged in their learning and continue making progress even during a time of upheaval.

In addition, there are now a variety of online resources that students can use to supplement their learning. While technology cannot replace the in-person classroom experience, it can be used as a positive way to help students learn.

Future Occupations

It is no secret that the world is constantly changing and that change is only accelerating. With new technologies and industries emerging all the time, it can be hard to keep up. This is especially true when it comes to children and their future occupations. A recent study by the World Economic Forum estimates that 65% of children entering primary school will find themselves in careers that today do not even exist. This is a staggering statistic that highlights just how important it is for children to be adaptable and open-minded when learning technology. While it may be scary to think about, it also presents an exciting opportunity for children to forge their own path in the world. As long as they can embrace change and learn new things, they will be well-positioned to succeed in whatever the future may hold.

Technology In Education

Technology has always been an integral part of education, from the chalkboard to the overhead projector. However, the future of technology in education is poised to have a much more profound impact on how students learn. As students become more comfortable with digital tools and resources, teachers are able to expand beyond linear, text-based learning to engage students who learn best in other ways. For example, students who are visual learners can benefit from using video and graphic applications to explore new concepts. Similarly, students who are auditory learners can use audio recordings and podcasts to supplement their understanding of course material. By harnessing the power of technology, teachers can create a more dynamic and engaging learning environment that better meets the needs of all students.

The future of technology in education can also be used to improve communication. Technology can help students connect with each other and with their instructors in new ways. For example, students can use video conferencing to participate in class discussions from anywhere in the world. They can also use online chat rooms to collaborate on group projects. In addition, students can use technology to research topics more effectively. With a few clicks of a mouse, they can access a wealth of information that would otherwise be unavailable to them. As a result, technology has the potential to improve the quality of education significantly.

Some of the technology that students will see in the not-so-distant future may involve:

Social media – Allowing students and educators to post ideas and comments in an interactive learning environment. Also, students may follow influencers and learn from their posts.

Simulation and models – Digital simulations and models can help teachers explain difficult concepts. Software is currently being developed to help students understand evolution, a simulation of how electrons interact with matter and much more!

Assessments – With new technology, teachers can collect real-time assessment data from their students. They will better understand how far along each student is, how much time a student spends on each question and whether their answers are correct.

Games – Technology in the classroom will include commercial game-like simulations that put students in professional roles like journalist, city planner, or engineer and ask them to solve real-world problems. Some teachers believe that by simulating real-life problems, video games can bring about behavioural changes in the students by making them more goal-oriented.

Virtual Reality – With many brands of virtual reality offering innovative learning resources, educators are exploring the idea of it being capable of immersing students in their chosen subject and helping them to learn.

Interactive Textbooks – Technology is changing the way we think of textbooks. Future interactive textbooks may have web-based sites that include videos, animations, assessments and other materials that can support the learning of new content.

Online Resources

Here at Dropkick Math Academy, we are proud to be one of the online resources born during the pandemic that can help children facing a gap in learning. As a group of Ontario Certified teachers, we saw the need for more resources for children aged 9 – 15, and decided to take action. Our programs focus on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, and algebraic reasoning) and provide support in learning key math skills by focusing on relationships and engaging the parent/guardian.

Math is a subject that requires confidence and certainty. Without it, students can become overwhelmed and quickly give up. That’s why our math programs are designed to turn uncertainty into confidence. As students navigate through the program, they’ll be rewarded with incentives to keep them engaged and eager to continue learning. With each successful math operation solved, your child’s confidence will grow, giving them the skills they need to succeed for years to come.

Math education has evolved over the years, and with the continued access to technology in the classroom and at home, it is changing even more. Learn more about our math help services and how we differ from traditional math tutoring services. Get started by having your child take our FREE assessment today!

What Is Summer Slide And How To Prevent It

What is summer slide? You may have heard this term being tossed around, but what does it really mean? Summer slide is the term used to describe the loss of knowledge and skills a student suffers over the summer. This can be due to a lack of academic enrichment opportunities over the break or simply because children are out of school and not retaining what they learned during the school year.

While no definitive studies show how much learning is lost each summer, it’s safe to assume that students lose some ground academically if they don’t engage in educational activities. Through math tutoring and other interventions, parents can take steps to help prevent summer slide and keep their child’s education on track.

A Loss Of Skills And Knowledge

For decades, educators have observed the summer slide – the inevitable loss of skills and knowledge that occurs over the summer break. While students may enter the classroom in September seeming refreshed and relaxed, they quickly fall behind their classmates who have continued to learn and grow over the summer months. The summer slide is a pervasive problem that affects children of all backgrounds and abilities.

Studies have shown that, on average, students lose about 2.6 months of grade-level math skills over the summer. As a result, they enter the new school year at a distinct disadvantage. While efforts to combat the summer slide are ongoing, there is still much work to be done in order to close the achievement gap.

What To Do About Summer Slide

As any parent knows, summer can be a challenging time for kids when it comes to schoolwork. With all the distractions of warm weather and long days, it’s easy for kids to forget what they’ve learned during the school year and fall behind before the next school year begins. Unfortunately, summer slide is also being exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. Due to school closures and continuing distance learning, many children struggle to keep up with their studies. This has led to a decline in grades and test scores and an increased risk of future academic difficulties. As parents and educators work to address this problem, it’s essential to remember that the COVID pandemic has created unique challenges for kids that require innovative solutions.

Children need to have continuous opportunities to learn and practice new skills during the summer months. Summer learning programs can allow children to stay sharp academically while also preventing them from falling behind. These programs often include activities and games designed to reinforce key academic concepts. They can be an excellent way for children to stay engaged in learning, even when they’re out of school. With a bit of creativity and effort, we can help our kids overcome the effects of summer slide and the pandemic and get back on track for a successful school year.

Learn While Vacationing

As summer approaches, many families begin to plan their vacations. However, vacations can also be a learning opportunity. For example, if you are planning a trip by airplane, your child can research the cost of airfare and luggage weight. If you are staying in a hotel, your child can calculate the cost of the room per night. Once you reach your destination, there are often opportunities to take tours of historical landmarks and locations. This can be an excellent opportunity to teach your child about history and how to calculate the number of years ago historical events occurred. By incorporating some educational elements into your summer vacation plans, you can help your child learn and grow even while away from school.

Incorporate Everyday Tasks

There are lots of easy ways to keep kids’ brains active during summer vacation. One way is to take advantage of everyday activities like grocery shopping or driving. For example, when you’re at the grocery store with your kids, challenge them to add up the total cost of your purchase. Driving over to grandmother’s house? Ask them to find specific colours, shapes, or patterns along the way. For older kids, think of appropriate variations – for instance, they could try to count all the license plates from different provinces or how many billboards there are. This helps to keep their minds active and makes these everyday activities more fun for everyone involved. By making summer learning fun and interactive, you can help your kids stay sharp all summer long.

Summer Camp

As the summer break approaches, many parents begin to scramble to find ways to keep their children occupied. One option that is becoming increasingly popular is enrolling children in specialized summer camps. These camps offer a variety of activities that are designed to be both fun and educational. For example, computer camps often incorporate game design elements, while math camps focus on developing problem-solving skills. Science camps may include field trips to local museums or zoos.

In addition to being educational, these camp experiences can also be extremely valuable for your child’s social development. By interacting with other children and adults in a structured setting, your child will learn important social skills that will benefit them throughout their life. So, if you’re looking for an opportunity to give your child a boost this summer, consider enrolling them in one of these specialized camps.

Summer Programs

While kids need to have some time off from school to enjoy the summer months, it’s also crucial that they don’t forget everything they’ve learned over the course of the year. Thankfully, there are several math help services available to help kids stay sharp. Schools often offer summer classes or enrichment programs, and private businesses like Dropkick Math Academy also provide valuable services. These programs can help your child review essential concepts, catch up on any gaps in their learning, and get a head start on the upcoming school year. With summer learning, your child can enjoy a well-rounded education that sets them up for success both in and out of the classroom.

Our Program

This summer, if your child is struggling and you find yourself searching for such phrases as “math for grade 3” or “how to help my child this summer,” we may be able to help. At Dropkick Math, we provide high-quality tutoring services that help students achieve their academic goals. Whether your child needs extra help with fractions or is struggling with algebra, our team of certified Ontario teachers can provide the targeted instruction and support needed to succeed in mathematics. Our math learning techniques include online group sessions and engaging games that will have your child wanting to learn more.

Learn more about our programs today!

Why Spatial Reasoning Is So Important For Mathematics

Do you remember the first time you solved a puzzle? The satisfaction of completing it and finally understanding how all the pieces fit together was an amazing feeling. As parents, we want to give our children the best opportunities for success in life, and part of that includes helping them develop strong problem-solving skills such as those that accomplish finishing a puzzle.

One skill that is essential for mathematical success is spatial reasoning. Developing this ability at an early age can set your child up for future academic achievement and it can even predict students’ later success in higher levels of mathematics, such as proportional thinking and algebraic reasoning. Keep reading to learn more about why spatial reasoning is so important for children’s mathematics and what you can do to help them excel in this area.

What Is Spatial Reasoning?

The ability to reason spatially is a fundamental human skill that allows us to make sense of the world around us. Spatial reasoning skills are used when we navigate our environment, manipulate objects, or even daydream. Although we are often not consciously aware of it, spatial reasoning is essential for everyday life.

There are many different types of spatial reasoning tasks, but they all involve mental manipulation of 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional images. For example, a common spatial reasoning task is mental rotation, which requires imagining how an object would look if it were rotated in space. Another type of spatial reasoning task is mental folding, which involves folding a 2-dimensional image in your mind to visualize a 3-dimensional object.

Spatial reasoning skills develop throughout childhood and continue to improve into adulthood. However, some people are naturally better at spatial reasoning than others. One’s ability to reason spatially can also be affected by factors such as fatigue, stress, and boredom. Spatial reasoning skills can be improved with practice, so there’s no need to worry if your child doesn’t seem naturally gifted in this area. With a little bit of practice, anyone can become better at spatial reasoning.

Math Is More Than Numbers

When most people think of math, they think of numbers. However, math is so much more than that. It encompasses spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, and other important skills. For kids, this can be a lot to take in. They may get bored quickly if they think math is just about numbers. However, when they are exposed to spatial reasoning tasks and toys, they suddenly become interested in learning more. They may even choose to play with math materials during their free time.

Spatial reasoning is a key part of math education and it can be very engaging for kids. By exposing them to spatial reasoning tasks and toys, we can help them develop a love for math.

Mathematical Abilities

A recent study has found that spatial reasoning skills in early childhood can predict mathematical abilities later in life. The study followed a group of children from ages 6 to 8, and found that those with strong spatial reasoning skills at age 6 were more likely to perform well on mathematical tasks at age 8. This relationship was especially strong for tasks involving the linear number line.

The findings suggest that spatial reasoning skills play an essential role in the development of mathematical abilities. Furthermore, they indicate that intervening to improve spatial reasoning skills in early childhood could positively impact later math achievement. The study provides new insights into the importance of spatial reasoning skills and highlights the need for further research on ways to support the development of these skills in young children.

Standardized Testing

In Ontario, students take a standardized test in Grade 3 called the EQAO that determines if they are on grade level. Many teachers notice that in grade 2 students often struggle with tasks that involve spatial sense, indicating that it should be included more in math education in the early elementary classroom. But it shouldn’t just fall on teachers to help children understand spatial reasoning. There are many activities that parents can offer their children to help advance their understanding of spatial reasoning.

How To Be Proactive

Spatial reasoning is a critical skill set for many STEM fields, and strong spatial reasoning skills have been linked to success in mathematics. As I previously mentioned, spatial reasoning skills are often not formally taught in schools which means that children could fall behind. However, parents can be proactive by helping their children develop strong spatial reasoning skills from an early age. This can be done by encouraging spatial talk in children.

Through spatial talk, children learn to use language to describe spatial relationships and solve problems. For example, a parent might ask a child to put away their toys by saying, “Please put the red block on top of the blue cube.” Parents can also provide opportunities for spatial play, such as puzzles, building blocks, and drawing. By encouraging spatial talk and providing opportunities for spatial play, parents can help their children develop strong spatial reasoning skills that will set them up for success in school and beyond.

Spatial reasoning can be taught through each of the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, algebraic reasoning, and proportional reasoning). When thinking of math concepts, parents should try and view them through a spatial and geometry lens. For example, when a child is learning about number sense, they can be encouraged to gesture with their hands, or they can visualize the number line.

If your child is struggling with spatial reasoning or any other math concept, Dropkick Math Academy can help. So, before you start searching for “math tutor near me” learn about our programs or get in contact if you have any questions. Our team of Ontario certified teachers understands the gaps in education that can often occur and can address them while boosting your child’s confidence in mathematics.

Get started today by having your child complete our FREE assessment.

Is Online Tutoring the Future of Personalized Learning?

$Is Online Tutoring the Future of Personalized Learning$

With school closures and social distancing measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online tutoring has seen a surge in popularity. But is online tutoring here to stay? Some experts believe that it could be the future of personalized learning. Here’s what you need to know about online math tutoring and how it can benefit your child.

Change Is Imminent

In this day and age of the COVID-19 pandemic, change is imminent. And in the face of an extensive range of education technology resources, schools are trying to adapt and figure out the best ways to move forward. Technology has become an integral part of education over the past couple of years, and online math help is showing a lot of promise to help students who the pandemic has impacted.

Previous research has pointed to clear advantages of one-on-one learning. However, this leaves many students behind who can’t attend an in-person tutor. When technology is used and students can learn virtually, more students have access to this type of education. It has also been suggested that tutored students outperform their peers in school. This becomes problematic because the majority of students have never experienced tutoring, causing an achievement gap that separates students with access to one-on-one learning from those without.

Getting Help With Educational Gaps

Historically only those students with the time, means, and proximity have been able to access one-on-one guidance. But, with Dropkick Math, we make it easy for many students to get the help they need with the educational gaps they may be experiencing.

Leveraging technology to meet new education standards is a great way to reach students who may not have previously been able to get the help in mathematics they deserve. Our programs and educators can provide critical mentorship for students who may be struggling with their learning due to the disruption caused by the pandemic. We have combined education with expert knowledge to create personalized programs designed to help your child conquer their unique math problems in a learning environment that is fun and engaging.

At this time, when families are the busiest they’ve ever been, online tutoring has emerged as an essential educational resource. When the world closed down, online tutors were still able to help children with their studies. Our online programs help connect students with subject experts, creating personalized learning that children need to excel. The flexible nature of online tutoring also helps to allow students to book sessions that fit their own busy schedules.

Online Math Tutor

Most students have now become accustomed to learning online, and many prefer online tutoring instead of in person. Students born in 2010 and onward have had a whole life of high-speed online communication. So, the appeal of online tutoring will only increase as its primary users become tech-savvy “screenagers.” One-on-one tutoring is no longer appealing to the younger generation, which is more accustomed to online activities. At Dropkick Math, we understand the need to keep students engaged and entertained while learning mathematics. Our programs aim to break down the challenges and build up confidence with a complete understanding of math and its relationship to real-world situations through fun and engaging games and challenges.

Online tutoring does appear to be the way of the future, but at Dropkick Math, we take it a step further. Dropkick Math isn’t just an alternative to hiring an online tutor. It is a fun way to help your child thrive in mathematics through self-learning. We work with your child and yourself to understand the underlying problems rather than just focusing on helping them through the material they are learning at school.

If you are searching for a “math tutor near me” you may be presented with a lot of helpful options. But, it is important to understand the difference between a tutor and our way of working with students, which adequately supports their journey in elementary math. Our certified Ontario College of Teachers instructors offer a fun and engaging way to learn for both parent and child to understand the building blocks of mathematics.

To learn more about our programs and contact us today!