Sharpening Students with Mathematics

The study of math equips students to become better problem solvers and demonstrates to them how the Lord used perfect mathematics to create our world. While not all students will be engineers, math teachers, or scientists, all students can greatly benefit from the proper study of advanced mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, etc). A healthy, challenging, and balanced math education helps students to better understand that:

• Math directs them to the reality of a perfect, absolute, and exact Creator—Jesus Christ
• Math equips them to be more faithful stewards in everyday life and the ministry
• Math helps them to excel intellectually, musically, and socially
• Math is the language of science and explains the laws of God’s creation
• Math develops their minds which can help to more readily solve complex issues
• Math helps them in becoming more organized, logical, and wise in their thinking

The Best Practices in Teaching Math

Teachers that enable students to achieve great success in math are passionate about the subject and focus on best practices for learning. The basic process for effective math instruction involves a capable teacher who inspires, informs, instructs, illustrates, involves, and inspects his students’ progress. Here are several effective methods for helping students excel in mathematics:

• Use a rigorous traditional lesson by lesson curriculum. (Keep it flowing and fruitful.)
• The teacher must thoroughly know, appreciate, and enjoy math.
• Give clear step-by-step demonstrations.
• Provide connections for students to previously learned material often—connect the dots!
• Evaluate students on the fundamentals of mathematics. Use exciting reviews, games, and activities focused on developing basic math skills. Use oral rapid calculation drills often.
• Offer a math help class at least once a week for struggling learners.
• Allow students to ask appropriate lesson questions and provide accurate and timely feedback.
• Give homework that reinforces the skills being taught and check it daily.
• Tutor and/or set-up tutoring for all students below a C- in your math class.
• Give daily, weekly, and monthly assessments.

The Main Factors in Students Achieving Success

Parents are the primary and most important teacher in their student’s lives. While teachers, students, and curriculum all play a role, parents’ involvement is the most crucial for their student’s success. Below are the major items which provide the best building blocks for math success for students.

Parents
Communicate regularly with teachers and help students complete their assignments; check to be sure daily work is neat and complete.

Teachers
Be fully prepared spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially.

Students
Must be motivated to learn, diligent, and growing spiritually and academically.

Curriculum
Must be rigorous, effective, and proven. No progressive or “new math.”

Classroom time
Teachers must use every minute wisely and set high levels of excellence.

Homework
This must reinforce what students are learning in class and prepare students for upcoming assessments.

God created our world using amazingly precise mathematics. Students must learn early in life not to fear or dislike math but to enjoy and use math for their benefit and for God’s glory. Math class ought to be one of the most exciting, enjoyable, and helpful classes a student takes. The teacher is a crucial factor in helping students enjoy, learn, and master mathematics.

Thus, math teachers must apply the items noted above as they also implement the three major components of effective math education:

• Incremental instruction—small, easily digestible, step by step lessons
• Continual practice
• Regular cumulative assessments—questions, homework, weekly quizzes, tests every three weeks, etc.

When a teacher inspires students to enjoy math and applies these proven methods, students are empowered to achieve greater success in math and are better equipped to impact our world for Christ!