Math Made Easy: ‘Learn the rules, not the sums’, advises an educator

Ask a person which subject they found the toughest when they were in school and nearly 80 per cent will say Math. Why is it that kids find this subject difficult when all subject teachers opine that it is easy and you can enjoy this subject? There are several reasons for the same.

First, there is a cultural mindset in India that Math is a difficult subject, and only a select few can excel in it. This mindset can create a fear of Math in many students, and it can limit their ability to learn and succeed in the subject. Second, the exam-oriented education system in India contributes to students’ difficulties. Students are often under a lot of pressure to perform well on standardised tests, and this can lead to anxiety and stress. This can make it difficult for students to focus on learning Math for the sake of learning.

Third, in many schools, students are taught to memorise formulas and procedures without understanding the underlying concepts. This can make it difficult for students to solve problems that require them to think critically and creatively.

According to Manisha Narayanan, PRT, who teaches Math at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park, the parents mustn’t pressurise their wards to study Math because it is an important subject. “Parents need to understand that all subjects are important and Math is no different. They must not tell their child that the subject is tough; Math is a subject that needs constant practice and understanding of concepts,” Narayanan explained and shared some strategies that she uses to make the subject easy and interesting for her students.

First, the students are taught in such a manner that their interest remains in the subject. “We do a lot of hands-on activities and use interactive methods like puzzles, games, and asking students to research a specific topic. All this ensures that the student’s interest is piqued.

“Second, we give out students a lot of worksheets once a particular topic is over. Math is all about practice. The more you practice the easier it will become. I tell my students that just like sports can’t be learnt in one day, the same is true for Math. I encourage my students to be patient and learn from their mistakes,” Narayanan said.

She said that there are certain rules that the students have to learn. Math is not about rote learning. “It is about memorising the rules but not the sums. This includes learning the tables. I do a lot of exercises related to this as well – asking students random tables in the class. As a teacher, you have to reinforce learning,” she shared.

Common mistakes that students make

1.       Most students skip the steps while solving the questions. They must focus on the process and method.

2.       Students tend to copy the numbers wrong and end up putting them in the wrong place value. Hence, there are mistakes in addition and subtraction.

3.       Most students don’t learn tables properly. This means there will be mistakes in division and multiplication sums.

4.       Due to parental pressure, students end up rote learning the question.

To avoid these mistakes, Narayanan has a few tips for the parents and the students. “Parents need to have a positive approach to Math and tell their children to treat it like any other subject. They must not create a fear psychosis in the child’s mind that the subject is difficult. Students should never be in a hurry to complete the sum. They must learn to have patience when studying Math,” Narayanan said in conclusion.

There are certain rules that the students have to learn in Math; this includes learning tables. Math is not about rote learning but understanding the concepts

Manisha Narayanan, PRT, Math at Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park