Top 4 Ways Teachers Can Help Students Improve Math and Reading Outcomes
If you’re a teacher and you’ve been struggling with making sure your students understand classroom material, you may be wondering what you can do to help them improve their skills and results, whether that’s using i-Ready math and reading or adjusting your instructional techniques. While foundational skills like math and reading are essential to laying the groundwork for students’ future academic success, many students can see these subjects as a chore, especially when they’re first starting out. Helping students to understand complex information is important not only for their academic life but also for finding their passion and future path in life. If you’re looking for straightforward, effective ways you can help your students build up their math and reading skills, grasp classroom curriculum, and improve their academic outcomes, here are a few ideas to keep in mind.
1. Focus on Big-Picture Concepts
When it comes to math, in particular, it can sometimes be easy for students to get overwhelmed in following the thought process needed to solve many problems. This can leave some students simply memorizing formulas for the test instead of really grasping core concepts and applying critical thinking. To combat this, try taking the focus off of formula memorization during lessons and instead emphasizing the understanding of overarching concepts. When students understand the big picture, the goals you’re trying to accomplish with certain math problems and the “why” behind math, they may find it easier to approach problems than when they don’t understand what the point is. You may also want to connect math problems and i-Ready math, especially word problems, with real-life scenarios to make it more relatable and understandable for students. When they are familiar with the type of scenario given, they may be more likely to connect with the problem and approach it in a unique way.
2. Stay Positive
Part of the reason many students may get discouraged about their math progress is because they hear negative talk about it from classmates and even parents. By keeping a positive attitude in class and encouraging them to not give up, you can help reframe the subject in a more appealing and motivating way.
3. Identify Common Themes
When you’re helping students with reading, one of the reasons they may feel disconnected from assignments or don’t want to engage with texts is because many students don’t feel they can relate to certain readings. To help them not only analyze the reading better but connect with the material, try pointing out common themes throughout the reading. If you can choose texts that children may be able to relate to, this is a straightforward way to instantly make assignments more relevant to their lives.
4. Set Specific Goals
Finally, in both math and reading, it’s important to set specific, realistic, and achievable goals before you start working on an assignment. Without an end goal in sight, students can feel overwhelmed, lost, or like they’re working towards nothing. When you have a clearly defined goal, it’s much simpler for students to see the progress they’re making and feel like they’re really accomplishing something. This encouragement can give them the boost of motivation they need to then continue learning and improving.
When it comes to complex yet foundational subjects like math and reading, many students may feel intimidated or confused, especially early on in their academic careers. However, these skills are essential for students’ future academics and career paths, so putting in the time to help them master the material is more than worth it. The good news is, there are some strategies you can implement to help them improve. You can help your students reach their goals, grasp new material and improve their testing outcomes with these effective and straightforward tips.
