Geometry Can Be a Challenge, But Is Easy To Improve
Posted: Thursday, July 16, 2009
by Lisa Benavides
http://tutorfi.com/LisaB
Many students struggle with geometry since it is different in many ways than what they are used to learning so far in school. Most students have not been taught how to think geometrically. In other words, they may not be able to see the abstract nature that is used in geometry. According to Jean Piagets theory about cognitive development, many students many not have the abilities to think cognitively until their late teens, or possibly early 20s. All of this makes geometry challenging to students, but not impossible.
Notes are very important in all classes, including math. Note taking should not only include the notes given by the teacher, but also examples that the students can follow when doing homework and studying for tests. The examples should include one or two different problems that represent various methods of solving a concept. A useful way for taking notes is the Cornell Notes method. It is easy to set up in any notebook or binder and allows room for additional notes, ideas and revelations that may came up.
Going along with the notes, index cards are very useful. The majority of textbooks highlight in one form or another the key concepts for each chapter. By rewriting these important bits of info on the cards, it will help your student in two ways. The more often they write a concept and there by think about it, the more likely it will stay with them. Also, the important pieces that need to be reviewed for a test are now in one easy to flip through location. I would suggestion using a note card ring, and writing the note cards out during the chapter, not at the end when your student is trying to cram everything in to one major study session.
Use the book that was given. Math books are not the easiest to read. Today the publishers try to include real world examples and relevant and possibly interesting problems. Yet it does not make it any more interesting if the subject is dreaded. It may be hard to convince your student that reading the book will help, but it does. When reading it, they will often times have an ah-ha moment because the book explains things differently than the teacher. Not only reading along in the book is helpful, reworking the problems and comparing the students answers to the ones in the book will also allow them to find the steps that they are either missing or having a problem with.
Homework is everyones challenge. As parents it can be frustrating to get our children to do the work when they are struggling, and it is just as frustrating for the child. However, we need to keep in mind that homework does serve a purpose. It allows the student to practice what they learned, and if there are problems it is a method for the teacher to determine where the problems lie. So attempting to do the homework, no matter how hard it is makes a big difference. The student needs to put out an effort to do what they can, the best that they can. Often times teachers check homework for the effort, not correctness. This is very important when homework is a percentage of your childs grade.
Last but definitely not least, ask the teacher when something is confusing. I constantly tell my students that they need to speak up if they are not getting a concept., I am also a Mom with eyes on the back of my head, but I still cant read minds. Teachers are more than happy to answer questions, or go over an example again when there is a problem. Unfortunately, when students do not say that they are not understanding something, we tend to assume that everyone gets it. So speak up! The more questions asked, the happier we are as teachers. Also most teachers are more than happy to spend extra time with students at some point during the day if they need help. The student usually just needs to ask.
These are some basics that will help not only in geometry, but in any math class. One last thing to keep in mind, neatness does count! When grading a test, if a teacher needs to decipher the work, the less likely the student is to get partial credit.
I am certain these little bits of insight will help your student. If they still need help, please click the website below for a FREE demonstration of our online tutoring, and see how I can help your student with their math needs.
Visit http://tutorfi.com/LisaB
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Good information to improve in this subject, Lisa. Thanks for sharing them and welcome to SearchWarp.
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