Story Problems

Story problems can truly pose a problem for many students. This suggestion is for teachers, try to incorporate your students' names when writing out story problems. Also, include their personal interests in the problem. This will add a personal touch that your students will remember!
For example: Michael and three of his friends wanted to buy new baseball gloves, the gloves cost $9.00 each. The four friends have $34.00 total, is that enough to buy all four baseball gloves?

Michael will be excited to see that you have included his love of baseball in the story problem, so he will be more likely to answer the question because he has a personal connection to the problem.

Also, be sure to keep the story problem simple, especially for the novice story problem learners. Too many unnecessary words only confuse the students.

Helping Students with Estimation

Here are some great ideas either a teacher or parent can incorporate every day/week to help students with the idea of estimating.

*Starting out in the beginning, put a few large objects (golf balls, toy cars, etc.) in a glass jar or clear, plastic container, and have the children estimate how many objects there are in the container. Then, each week use smaller objects that make the estimation slightly more difficult. As the weeks progress, the children should become increasingly better at estimating an appropriate amount.

*Another way to increase children's knowledge of estimating is to have them estimate how many wooden, alphabet blocks, or small plastic, building blocks would be necessary to fill a box.

Helpful Math Online Product

I found this clip on teachertube.com for an online product that looks helpful for primary students to practice on. The product is called Dreambox Learning, and offers a free trial on the website. One of the math content areas included on the site includes greater than/ less than alligators.

http://www.teachertube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=195c6d7dedc65b53dd94

"Math Curse"

This is a phenomenal book to read to children, either at home with mom and dad (or guardian) or at school with the teacher. It describes the trials and tribulations of a little child who is suffering from the "math curse". This is a good book to read with children because it shows that all children have issues from time to time with math.

Math Practice

I know many students struggle with math in all grade levels. However, this blog is based on assisting elementary students with math problems and ways to provide the students with further assistance. I will provide suggestions to aid all students, not just students who are having difficulties.