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Math Tutoring

How Do Our Experiences With Math Affect Our Children?

How Do Our Experiences With Math Affect Our Children?

It’s no secret that math is a cornerstone of modern society, but how does our experience with math affect our children? Children learn from their parents and other adults, so it stands to reason that how we relate to math can shape how our children understand and approach the subject.

In today’s post, we’ll explore how our experience with math might impact our children and discuss strategies for promoting a positive attitude towards mathematics within the home. Furthermore, we will take a look at how our math tutoring programs offer an innovative way for parents to learn alongside their children. 

Math Anxiety

Math anxiety is a real and challenging problem for many individuals who have had negative experiences with math in the past. As parents, we don’t often think about how our past experiences could affect our children’s learning, but studies show just how much of an impact it can have. 

While many factors can contribute to math anxiety, one that is often overlooked is a teacher’s engagement level. It’s easy to dismiss a teacher’s behaviour as irrelevant to student success, but studies show that a disengaged teacher can actually cause significant damage to a student’s mindset. 

When a teacher gives off signals that they don’t care about the subject matter or the students, it can lead to a lack of motivation, confusion, and ultimately poor performance. This is particularly true in math, which is already a challenging subject for many students.

Believe it or not, if you had a math teacher in your past that contributed to your math anxiety, it could now be affecting your child’s learning. If you find yourself unmotivated to figure out math concepts or shy away from doing chores that rely on math, such as personal taxes or finances, you are setting a scene for your child to think math may be too difficult for them to learn as well. 

Other than unengaging teachers, math anxiety can also be caused by a lack of resources or simply feeling overwhelmed with complex concepts and not getting the help needed. No matter what led to your math anxiety, it is essential to recognize the impact that math anxiety may have on one’s life and how it may be affecting your child’s relationship with math. 

The Good News

The good news is that math anxiety can be overcome with proper guidance and support, and individuals can develop a newfound confidence in their math abilities. With the right mindset, resources, and practice, anyone can easily become skilled at math and tackle any mathematical problem. This is where Dropkick Math Academy can help! 

Traditionally, math tutoring has been one-on-one sessions or group classes led by a tutor. But at Dropkick Math Academy, we believe learning should be collaborative between parents and children. 

Our approach involves teaching parents how to assist their children in mastering math concepts so that learning becomes a team effort. We provide online resources, including video tutorials and engaging games, to make learning enjoyable and engaging for both parents and children. By working together, we believe that children can achieve academic success, and parents can feel confident in their ability to support their children’s education.

Speaking Of Math…

First, it’s important to remember that when we talk about “math”, we’re talking about much more than just equations or numbers. Math involves problem-solving skills, logical reasoning, creative thinking, and the ability to make connections between different concepts. As such, having a positive attitude towards mathematics can help ensure that kids develop these important skills in a supportive environment.

Keeping in mind that math isn’t all about working out problems on paper, experiencing math can be done throughout our daily lives. By incorporating math learning into daily activities, you can show your child how much math is truly used every day. For example, when going to the grocery store, talk about the prices out loud. Explain discounts on items and have your child help you figure out the best choices of items that may be on sale. 

If you tend to shy away from math concepts and don’t feel that you have the confidence you should have, talking things through with your child may help you understand it more too! Just remember that you use math so much in your daily life that you probably don’t even think about it anymore. 

You use it when checking the change the cashier gives you at the gas station, when figuring out when you need to leave your house to get your kids to hockey on time, and even when whipping up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Math is around us everywhere, and you use it more than you know!

As parents, we often forget that everything we say or do can have an impact on our children- and that involves how we speak about mathematics. So, next time you encounter a scenario with math, make it a learning experience and talk it through with your child!

Positive Reinforcement

One way to promote enthusiasm for learning math among children is by providing positive reinforcement. You may not have had the positive reinforcement you should have as a child, but it is never too late to start with your child. Whenever they solve a difficult problem or complete an assignment successfully, be sure to recognize their efforts and give them credit for trying. This will help them realize that even though math is sometimes challenging, they can still be successful if they apply themselves. 

Additionally, it’s important not to become frustrated with children if they are struggling with a concept; instead, offer patience and support as they work through more difficult topics. Understanding that mistakes are part of learning ––and nothing to be ashamed of––can go a long way in fostering self-confidence when approaching mathematical problems down the line.

Work On It Together

As parents, we all want to help our children succeed, but when math questions come into the picture, it can feel overwhelming. However, telling your children that you are not good at math is not the answer. Try making an effort to work through it with them. 

This not only shows our support for their learning, but it can also help you brush up on your own math skills. Encourage your child to explain the problem to you, and you can tackle it together. Math may not come naturally to everyone, but with practice and patience, both you and your child can improve.

As we mentioned earlier, our math programs in Toronto and the surrounding area offer an excellent way for you to learn alongside your child. At Dropkick Math, we believe relationships are the primary key to learning success. Our trained instructors offer a fun and engaging way to learn for both parent and child to understand the building blocks of mathematics.  

Show An Interest

Finally, it’s vital that parents show their own interest in mathematics so their kids can do the same! Modelling behaviour such as studying books related to mathematics subjects during spare time or listening attentively during parent-teacher conferences on progress made will demonstrate how seriously you take the importance of mathematical development in your children’s lives, which may encourage them to take more interest as well.

Understanding how our experiences with math shape our children’s attitudes is vital for ensuring lifelong success in this critical subject area. Positive reinforcement and engaging activities centered around mathematics are just two ways parents can foster excitement around mathematics from an early age while helping cultivate core problem-solving skills in preparation for upcoming years. 

Before hitting Google and searching for “math tutor near me,” check out our website and learn how we involve parents in their child’s learning. Our math tutoring programs offer an innovative and engaging way to get parents and children alike excited to learn mathematics!

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Encouraging Participation in Group Math Activities

Encouraging Participation in Group Math Activities

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

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

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

Motivation 

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

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

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

Making Learning Fun!

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

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

Learning From Each Other

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

Offering Rewards

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

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

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

How To Help Your Child Participate

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

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

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

Maximum Class Size

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

Parental Involvement

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

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

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Learn Math

How Dropkick Math Turns Stress Into Success

How Dropkick Math Turns Stress Into Success

For far too many adults, math can be a formidable and overwhelming task when trying to help their children with math homework. Whether you are trying to help your child with addition, division, or algebra – it’s not always easy. But what if there was an easier way? 

Introducing Dropkick Math – the online math tutoring program designed specifically to address these common frustrations and turn them into successes! With intuitive instruction, helpful resources and plenty of practice problems – this program is the perfect tool for parents looking to overcome their fear of math while learning alongside their child.  

A Stressful Experience

Getting to grips with math can be a stressful experience for many adults, especially if they have been out of school for some time. There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to help your child with math homework. It may seem like math was completely reinvented between the time they learned it in school and the time you had to learn it—so much so that it feels like you might as well be learning a new language! 

Sometimes, even pretending to understand what they’re doing can seem impossible – but perseverance is key! Though math may look completely different after all these years, working through math problems together is still one of the best ways for a parent and child to bond.

Learning Together

Math is a subject that many of us dread, but when it comes to learning math alongside your child, it’s an investment in their future that can be rewarding for both parties. Not only will you be able to help keep your child on track and motivated, but you’ll also strengthen math skills you may have forgotten. Plus, math doesn’t have to be as scary and humdrum as you remember – math can actually be quite fun! 

By positively engaging with math, you have the opportunity to help your child learn mathematical problem-solving without anxiety or hesitation. Learning math alongside your kid serves not only as bonding time but also offers opportunities for growth and understanding of math concepts. Who knows? You may even learn something new!

Overcoming Math Anxiety

If you are still not convinced that Dropkick Math Academy can help you from stressing about math, you may be suffering from “math anxiety.” Studies show that about half of Americans suffer from math anxiety, feeling overwhelmed and convinced they just “can’t do math.” But this irrational fear shouldn’t get in the way of finding x or y – math can really be quite interesting (in its own special way) if you aren’t afraid to give it a shot. 

One of the most important things to remember is that math anxiety can be passed down from generation to generation, starting in first grade. If you feel uncomfortable with math, it may increase your child’s anxieties and lower their achievement or confidence when completing a project requiring solving complex equations. This is why it is so important to face your fear of math and learn together. 

Success!

We can take your stress and turn it into success by learning together at Dropkick Math Academy. Our math programs are expertly designed to allow parents to experience math learning with their children. This encourages the child’s desire to learn math and provides an opportunity for the parent to be a part of their development. Working together on math problems while understanding the material together helps the parent and child better understand math concepts.

 The family bond between parent and child is further strengthened as math becomes something fun that they can experience together rather than an obstacle that must be conquered alone.

Our certified Ontario teachers make math fun and engaging, providing practical solutions that break down difficult questions into do-able tasks. So say goodbye to math woes! The answer to all your math problems starts with Dropkick Math programs. 

What To Expect

The first step with Dropkick Math Academy is taking our FREE assessment. This will help ensure you and your child are placed in the appropriate program for their level of learning. 

In our programs, you, the parent/guardian, will sit alongside your child and learn together. You will be encouraged to help them work through problems while learning how to help them understand math concepts. All of our programs are game-based and designed to help make learning fun and engaging so you and your child will be eager to learn.  

At the end of each class, a time slot is dedicated to discussions with the parents. As a group, parents can ask questions and get clarification on problems or concepts that may need a little more explanation.

Our math help services teach the parents alongside the child, which is one way we stand out from traditional tutors. With the knowledge you will gain at Dropkick Math Academy, it will no longer be a problem when your child comes to you looking for help with their homework! You will not only know the answers to the problems, but you will have learned how to help your child understand the math questions at hand. 

Taking Charge

We have seen tremendous success when parents take charge—by breaking math assignments into manageable chunks, finding innovative ways to tutor or practice math concepts in everyday life, and emphasizing a growth mindset over perfectionism. With these strategies, math homework no longer has to be a source of stress but rather an opportunity for success.

As a leading Waterloo math services business, we have expanded nationwide and have helped hundreds of parents overcome their stress and helped turn it into success! Designed with busy parents in mind, our innovative programs bring together the best elements of traditional and modern math tutoring strategies to create an easy-to-use and incredibly effective approach. Find out more about how Dropkick Math can help you become a successful mathematician in no time!

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Number Sense

How To Know If Your Child Has Number Sense

How To Know If Your Child Has Number Sense

Knowing if your child has number sense is something every parent/guardian should be concerned about. In this blog post, we will discuss the signs that indicate good number sense. We will also look at how math tutoring can help those with a gap in learning. 

A Daunting Concept

We all want our children to grow up well-rounded and equipped with knowledge, but some skills seem more elusive than others. This can be especially true when it comes to math; while you may know the basics of teaching addition and subtraction, do you really understand how your child is grasping the concepts of number sense? 

As daunting as the concept might be, understanding number sense is an essential part of setting your child up for academic success – so let’s take a look at what it means to have number sense and how we can help our kids develop it!

What Is Number Sense?

Have you ever encountered situations where your children are solving math problems in their heads, and the answer just seems to pop right out? If so, then it’s likely that they have what is known as number sense – a concept which has become increasingly important for parents to recognize.

Plain and simple, number sense is a person’s ability to understand, relate, and connect numbers. It is the sense of what numbers mean. It is an important skill for mathematical learning and competent number problem-solving. It includes the ability to understand number relationships, magnitude, and number representation. Number sense is a building block for later number skills like addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

How To Tell?

At this point, you may be asking yourself, how do I know if my child has number sense? First, children with trouble with number sense often show signs at an early age. These children will typically tend to struggle with basic operations such as addition and subtraction. They may also exhibit trouble with everyday tasks such as handling money, judging time and measuring quantities. 

As children get older and start learning more complex mathematical concepts and principles, they will be likely to say they “don’t get it,” or that it “doesn’t make sense.” If this sounds familiar, then your child may be missing number sense. 

If this problem continues, a child can increasingly feel lost as they move up through the school grades. Year after year, the gap in learning will grow between what they are being taught and what they truly understand. When older children lack number sense, they need to work harder and longer than they should have to solve math problems. This is a significant reason why so many children may need math tutoring.  

How Can I Teach My Child Number Sense?

If your child has a learning gap and is missing number sense, you are most likely wondering how you can help. There are many things that parents/guardians can do to help their children. 

According to research, number sense can be developed by providing meaningful activities that allow children to explore number concepts in different engaging ways. At Dropkick Math Academy, we believe that the development of number sense depends on fostering active engagement in number experiences from an early age that promotes the ability to think flexibly about numbers in various contexts.

Teaching number sense to a child involves presenting numbers in a way the child can understand, providing opportunities for number exploration, and guiding their discovery of number relationships. With guided instruction, children can connect number symbols with quantity, associate numbers with specific patterns, recognize numerical sequences and work on basic number problems. 

Fun activities like counting objects out loud or matching numerals to daily activities help children learn number sense quickly. Math manipulatives can be a great tool to help children learn about number sense. 

Engaging with stories about counting or singing number songs can also be inexpensive and entertaining ways to teach number sense to a child. With patience, dedication and encouragement from parents or teachers, any child can develop their number sense faster.

Getting Help From A Professional

In addition to learning at home, many children will need extra help from a professional. At Dropkick Math Academy, we use certified Ontario teachers to ensure our students receive the best quality of math tutoring available. Our certified teachers understand how to teach children at every level and can provide customized strategies tailored to every student’s needs. 

Our tutors are dedicated employees with a proven track record of success in the education field and strive for excellence in all aspects of tutoring – from advising students on the techniques needed to understand complex math problems to helping them understand and reshape their approach to problem-solving. Our certified Ontario teachers are the glue that binds our program together!

Getting The Help They Need

As children begin to learn math, it is vital for them to improve their skills and practice number sense so it does not last into adulthood. Unfortunately, the pandemic caused many students to have a loss in learning over the past couple of years, so it is imperative that children get the help they need before it becomes a bigger problem. 

At Dropkick Math Academy, our programs focus on the four pillars of math (number sense, operational sense, proportional reasoning, algebraic reasoning), which help to ensure a child’s knowledge of mathematics starts at the root. 

Click to learn more about our programs and how we can help get your child back on track while boosting their confidence in math!

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Math Tutoring

EQAO Test Scores Show Alarming Results For Ontario Students

EQAO Test Scores Show Alarming Results For Ontario Students

The EQAO scores are in, and they paint a concerning picture of the state of Ontario’s education. The Education Quality and Accountability Office, also known as the EQAO, is an organization in Ontario that assesses education quality in the province’s publicly funded schools. The EQAO administers standardized tests to students in grades 3, 6, and 9 in math and grades 3, 6, and 10 in literacy. This data is then used by the government and school boards to evaluate educational effectiveness and make changes to improve student achievement. 

According to the data, an alarming number of kids are struggling with basic literacy and numeracy skills. This is cause for concern, as these deficiencies could have significant implications down the road. Parents need to be aware of these troubling findings and take steps to help their children improve their academic performance. Math tutoring may be required for many Ontario students who have fallen behind in their education. 

Put On Hold

These EQAO scores are the first in two years since the previous ones were put on hold during the pandemic. With students bouncing back and forth between in-class learning and virtual classes, it was difficult for the province to perform the testing that is typically done each year. 

Educators and parents were eager to see the results this year because of the delay in testing. There was much speculation about how students would test after two years of disruption from the pandemic. With no testing available, it was unknown exactly how much school closures and transitions into virtual learning had affected students’ education. 

Math and Literacy Hardest Hit

It was thought that the learning loss would be hit hardest in math and literacy. A handful of studies pulled data from millions of students participating in computer-adaptive tests to estimate students’ learning growth during school closures and how much that growth rate was likely to slow over the following few years.   

Three studies even predicted that students might learn only half of what they normally would in a typical year. None of the research went far enough to find any specific skills students may have lost, such as content or foundations in math like number sense or fractions. However, these studies did help to show the possible overall impact that the pandemic had on students and their math learning. 

Experts believe math may be more sensitive to pandemic-related disruptions for a few reasons, including:

  • Teachers often find it more difficult to engage in effective math instructional practices via virtual learning. 
  • Stress related to the pandemic may worsen existing math anxiety in some students.
  • Math is almost always formally learned at school, as parents are often less well-equipped to help their children with their lessons. 

Verified Test Results

As expected, these various tests that were performed throughout the pandemic were verified with the EQAO test results.  In the primary division, only 59% of students met provincial standards in math, while in the junior division, it was just 47%. For grade 9, 52% meet provincial standards. While these numbers are concerning on their own, the results get even worse when looking even further. For grade 9 students, in 2018-2019 (the last EQAO tests performed), 75% met the provincial math standards. However, these new EQAO test results drastically drop to only 52%, meeting those standards. This is the most significant gap seen across the three groups of students tested. 

 

EQAO-Stats-graph

This is worrisome as grade 9 marks the start of high school, a time when students need to be more aware of their grades if they want to get into college/university. With only just over half of the students meeting provincial standards, it offers a bleak look into the future, where students will struggle to get into STEM-related career paths. 

Does The Assessment Affect Students’ Grades?

While the EQAO assessments may not significantly impact an individual student’s grade, they can provide valuable insights into the performance trends of students as a whole. By analyzing assessment results, teachers and administrators can identify areas where the majority of students are struggling, allowing them to tailor their teaching methods and lesson plans to better address these subjects. 

Assessment results can also reveal changes in student performance over time, providing valuable information for educators and parents about the success of certain teaching strategies or educational programs. While assessment results may not directly affect individual grades, they should still be regarded as valuable tools for evaluating and improving student performance overall.

What’s The Plan?

So now that these test results have been released, many parents are asking what is going to be done to help students catch up with their missed learning. While it may seem like there is no real plan to get things back on track, educators are working to implement measures to ensure that students can catch up on their education. Each school board is working to help students catch up from the lost learning experienced through the pandemic. 

The Ontario government has also released their Learning Action Recovery Plan, which 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 a focus on reading, math and other foundational skills, as well as targeted initiatives to address unique barriers some students may face. This will help bridge students’ learning gaps, support academic success, and focus on overall mental health and wellness. Ontario’s plan is based on the latest scientific evidence and will provide students with the necessary resources to succeed.

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. 

Our programs help students boost their confidence while learning math operations. Our game-based learning offers a fun and engaging way to help those who experienced a gap in learning caused by the pandemic. Learn more about our programs and register your child for math tutoring today!

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How Dropkick Math Makes Learning Fun!

How Dropkick Math Makes Learning Fun!

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

Making Math Fun

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

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

What is Dropkick Math?

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

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

How Dropkick Math Works

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

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

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

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

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

Why Games?

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

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

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

Games For Everyone!

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

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

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

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Learn Math Online Math Tutor

5 Tips for Overcoming Math Anxiety

girl-pencil

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

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

Nervousness vs Anxiety

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

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

Steps To Overcome Anxiety

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

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

Physical Symptoms Of Math Anxiety

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

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

Learn more about our math help services today!

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