math tutoring programs Archives - DKM Homeschool Resource

How Tutoring Can Help With Pandemic Recovery

The Dropkick Math Team on February 3, 2023

If your child is struggling with math, it may be due to missed education caused by the pandemic. At Dropkick Math Academy, our math tutoring programs may be able to help. Read on to learn how math tutoring can help fill any gaps in learning or misunderstandings.

The Impact Of The Pandemic

With the pandemic starting to feel like a distant memory, it is imperative to remember how much of an impact it had on our children. Learning disruptions caused by the pandemic undoubtedly dealt some significant blows to the educational systems globally; it was a massive setback for most schools, and many students could not fully access classes or resources to continue their learning.

While there were online programs offering support in learning, they simply did not compare to traditional methods and consequently posed challenges for students that have yet to be addressed. It is only now that we are beginning to comprehend what challenges our children faced during the pandemic.

Supporting Children

It can be hard to know how best to support our children. But if there’s one thing that parents realize as this difficult period continues, it’s that tutoring may be the answer when it comes to helping kids get back on track with their education.

Tutors are not only great for helping your child catch up in certain subjects or boost their confidence – they can also provide guidance and motivation crucial to getting through these tough times.

Dropkick Math Academy was established with the pandemic in mind, and our specially designed math programs acknowledge the unique difficulties and opportunities that this time presents. With that in mind, our math programs were specifically designed to help students fill any gaps and solve their pandemic-induced frustrations with mathematical concepts.

Our mission is to provide a fun, interactive experience that doesn’t feel like a burden and can help our students develop a love for mathematics even through pandemic-inspired roadblocks. Our programs are accessible online and feature assistance from certified Ontario teachers for additional support when needed.

EQAO Testing

A few months ago, EQAO test scores were revealed, and they painted a concerning picture of the state of Ontario’s education. 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.

Now that these test results have been released, many parents are asking what will 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. However, it may be slow coming and may not be the right solution for your child.

Math Tutoring Programs

Dropkick Math is here to help students who may have a gap in their education due to the pandemic. As one of the leading math help services in Ontario, our trained instructors can provide support in key math skills through fun and interactive programs. All of our classes are taught by certified Ontario teachers and have a maximum class size of four students. This allows our teachers to offer individualized attention to each student and tailor their teaching style to best suit their specific needs.

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.

An Alternative To Traditional Math Tutoring

Dropkick Math Academy is proud to be an alternative to traditional tutoring. We stand out amongst our competitors for our unique approach to math education, as we believe learning math should be fun and engaging. 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.

One of the many benefits of our classes is their rotating schedule. Instead of being limited by semesters or terms, classes start every few weeks, so your child can enroll at any time. This means they won’t have to wait before getting started on their education or progress toward achieving their goals.

Getting Help

If you have noticed your child struggling with mathematics since the pandemic, chances are they have a gap in learning. Research now suggests that math tutoring may be an essential part of pandemic recovery for children.

Getting them the help they need before they fall too far behind is vital. Without the proper support in learning, they could miss out on essential building blocks of math education, which could cause them to struggle as they continue on through higher grades.

Dropkick Math Academy is your local choice if you are looking for Waterloo math services! As a local business, we understand our student’s needs and can help boost their confidence in math and set them up for future success. For more information on our programs, visit our website today!

Number Sense The Deep Understanding of HOW Numbers Work

The Dropkick Math Team on January 16, 2023

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

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

Understanding Number Sense

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

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

Explaining Number Sense To Your Child

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

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

Number Sense Throughout School

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

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

The Importance Of Number Sense

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

Working With Parents And Students

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

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

The Four Pillars Of Math

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

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

Signs Of Trouble

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

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

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

Why Your Child May Need A Math Tutor In The New Year

The Dropkick Math Team on December 23, 2022

As the holidays come to a close, students need to refocus their attention on academic pursuits. For kids who have been struggling with math, January is an ideal time to get an extra boost from a math tutor. This can be particularly helpful if they have missed out on their math lesson while on holiday, as it can help them catch up and approach the coming year with greater confidence in math class. With renewed focus, practice and guidance from a math tutor, the New Year promises better results and more enjoyable math classes for your child.

While it’s essential for all children to receive a quality education, math has long been known as one of the most challenging subjects for students. If your child struggles with mathematics or their current grade in this subject area is lower than expected, a math tutor could be beneficial when January rolls around.

Aiming for academic success and keeping up sufficient grades are just two of the positive outcomes that can come from having an experienced math tutor available for extra support and guidance. In this blog post, you’ll find out more about why investing in academic help during January could make all the difference when it comes to your child’s grades and overall confidence. Read on to learn more!

January Learning

January presents math tutors with a rush of inquiries from all sorts of students. It’s usually the time when those needing math help realize how much they have to cram for upcoming tests and exams or just to catch up from the first half of the school year.

For math tutors, January is undoubtedly one of the busiest times of the year because of the heavy demand for their services. With assignments piling up and classes increasing in difficulty, math tutors can come to the rescue by offering students an extra helping hand when it’s needed most. Though math can be difficult for many students, math tutors are there to lighten the load and work through math problems one step at a time. This applies to students of any age. From elementary school through high school and beyond, January can be a time to catch up and refocus on learning.

Ready For Students

Unfortunately, math classes can be dull and unengaging by the time January rolls around. Many teachers struggle this time of year to keep students interested and engaged. This is why giving math a makeover in the middle of the school year is important: after all, math doesn’t have to be boring!

Making math more interactive is one way to excite students; getting them to do math tasks that involve visual aids and activities brings an element of intrigue back into the equations. Additionally, gamifying math lessons by giving rewards can help to encourage enthusiasm in the classroom. By livening up math classrooms and homework in January, students stay focused and engaged through the end of the year.

At Dropkick Math Academy, we are ready for students who may need a helping hand in mathematics this January. Our certified Ontario teachers understand the curriculum your child is learning in school and know how to present it in a more fun and engaging way.

Our Reward System

At Dropkick Math Academy, we use game-based learning and utilize rewards for students who are willing to learn. At the end of each program, we add up the student’s “battle points” and determine which reward they qualify for. Some of our rewards include Amazon gift cards, Pokemon cards, LOL Surprise dolls, and more!

We have learned that when children are rewarded for their willingness to learn, they put in more of an effort. As previously mentioned, by the time January rolls around, children need a little incentive to keep learning mathematics. After all, it isn’t just kids that sometimes need a little encouragement to do something. As adults, we know that if there is a chore we don’t really want to do, if we think of rewarding ourselves with a drink or something to eat afterward, it motivates us too!

Progress Reports

In November, your child brought home a progress report that outlined how they were doing in math. While it may have been a busy time when you received the progress report, it is important to revisit it, and take the time to review it with your child. By discussing their strengths and areas for improvement, you can work together to come up with strategies for continued progress in the future.

If your child had a “Progressing With Difficulty” statement on their report under mathematics, it means they are not progressing in this subject. Research has shown that math and literacy were the two subjects affected the most by the pandemic. So, many students may be showing signs of falling behind in these two areas. If your child received a “Progressing With Difficulty” comment, it should be addressed immediately so that a plan can be developed to help fill the education gap.

The Perfect Time To Hire A Math Tutor

Now that the holidays are over, it is time to focus on your child’s education. January is the perfect time to hire a math tutor. The holidays are out of the way, and you may have a progress report indicating if your child needs some help.

At Dropkick Math Academy, we have online math help frequently starting throughout the new year. We offer a range of programs that can help children tackle the area of mathematics that may be causing them anxiety. By starting tutoring in the new year, your child will have time to catch up with their classmates and be able to finish out the year with a higher level of mathematical understanding.

By creating a “math playground,” at Dropkick Math, children become more eager to learn and will get a boost in their confidence. Learn more about our programs and how we differ from traditional tutors today!

How To Praise Your Child

The Dropkick Math Team on December 19, 2022

We all want our children to feel good about themselves and their accomplishments, but it can be tough to know how to give them the right kind of praise. Too much, or the wrong kind of praise, can actually do more harm than good. So what’s the best way to praise your child? Read on to learn more!

Self-Beliefs

A child’s self-beliefs are important. They affect what they think they can achieve and how they approach setbacks. Parents and teachers can play a large role in shaping a child’s self-beliefs, even from an early age. Studies have shown that children as young as three years old can start to develop a damaging mindset if they are not praised correctly.

When children are encouraged and praised for their efforts, they learn to believe in themselves and their abilities. On the other hand, if children are constantly told that they’re not good enough or that they’ll never amount to anything, they’ll start to believe those things too. It’s important to give children the support and encouragement they need to develop strong self-beliefs. With the right foundation, they’ll be able to overcome any obstacles in their path and reach their full potential.

The Word “Smart”

Many parents often tell their children that they are so “smart.” While this may seem harmless, and they only have good intentions, this simple phrase may do more harm than good. At first, children will believe it and feel good about themselves, knowing that their parent sees them as “smart.” However, later in life, when they struggle or fail in some way, they will be trained to automatically think, “I am not smart,” and constantly evaluate themselves against this fixed idea.

There are two different types of praise to give a child, fixed praise and growth praise. Telling a child they are “smart” is a form of fixed praise. A child should be praised for their accomplishment and what they did as opposed to them as a person. In other words, focus on the process rather than the result.

It can be difficult to know the difference between fixed praise and growth praise, so the following are a few examples to try:

Fixed Praise – You can multiply fractions? Wow, you are so smart!
Growth Praise – You can multiply fractions? It is great that you have learned how to do that!

Fixed Praise – You solved that hard math equation. That is so smart!
Growth Praise – I love your solution to the problem; it is so creative!

Fixed Praise – You got an A on your test! You are a genius!
Growth Praise – You got an excellent grade! You must have worked really hard.

Growth praise is essential for helping children learn and grow. By encouraging a child to take risks, fail, and learn from their mistakes, you can instill a sense of curiosity and confidence that will stay with them for life. They will learn that they can move past these moments and learn from them. Mistakes can not only be learning opportunities, but as students consider their mistakes, it can also be a time when their brains grow.

Modifying Language

By simply modifying their language, parents can praise their children and help to boost their confidence in the long run. Parents’/guardians’ attitudes about math can also directly impact a child’s attitude and success, so it is vital to speak positively about math.

Children are always listening and taking in what is being said around them. If you express how much you hate math, you could be passing your mindset to your child. For example, if your child is struggling with math for grade 4, they may be missing out on the praise they need to boost their confidence. Or, they may feel like they are not “good at math” because they have heard their parent say the same. Try to always stay positive and participate in your child’s math education.

At Dropkick Math, we understand the importance of parental involvement. We offer math tutoring in a unique learning environment that gives the option of involving the parent/caregiver. We believe the relationships between parent, student, and educator are crucial to achieving mastery in mathematics and that learning together achieves lasting success! Part of this learning environment involves praising a child for their efforts and encouraging a fun and engaging atmosphere.

Too Much Praise?

With all this talk about praise, you may be wondering if you can praise your child too much. The quick answer is, yes. Experts generally recommend that parents try to say ten positive things to their children for every one negative response.

Over-praising can make a child feel pressure to perform constantly, and they may develop the need always to seek approval from others. However, if encouragement is frequently given and praise is saved for when it truly matters, children will end up being more resilient and confident. This is because they will know that they are not dependent on others’ approval and that they are capable of handling disappointment or criticism. As a result, they will be better equipped to deal with challenges and setbacks in life.

In the real world, colleagues, employers and others will only praise exceptional effort, not ordinary expectations. Children who did not learn this growing up may be set up for failure. Just think of praise like a sugary snack. A little compliment can be sweet, but too much can harm a child’s emotional health.

How To Give Praise

How you give a child praise can be just as important as the words you use. Experts suggest using a warm, nurturing tone and making eye contact. This type of interaction can help to increase a young child’s confidence. It also relays the message that you truly care about the words you are saying. Saying a child’s name is also recommended, as studies show that babies remember and comprehend more words when they hear their name.

A Powerful Tool

Praise is a powerful tool in motivating children and can help them feel competent and confident. Studies have shown that praise can encourage children to persevere in the face of challenges and to try new tasks. When praise is given for effort or progress, rather than for ability, it can also help to boost children’s self-esteem and confidence. Furthermore, praise can be used to reinforce desired behaviours, such as good manners or following instructions. By using praise effectively, parents and caregivers can encourage children to reach their full potential.

Our Math Help Services

Learn about our math tutoring programs and how we involve parent/guardians. By learning together, you can help build your child’s confidence and give then the praise they need to succeed.