Math Made Easy: ‘Revise what you have learnt the same day’, advises an educator

In almost 50 per cent of cases, the minute students hear the word ‘Math’, they go into a tizzy. Sweaty palms and wanting to skip this class come to mind for most students. This is because, right from the start, we have created fear psychosis in the minds of the children that it is a tough subject and only the intelligent can understand the complex problems.

According to an educator, the reason why most students fear this subject is that our education system, up to class V, is predominantly about rote memorisation or cramming.

“This approach is deeply ingrained in our education system, but it isn’t necessarily the most effective. Many students struggle to grasp the subject matter because they lack a solid understanding. To address this issue, it’s crucial to reduce the reliance on memorisation and promote genuine comprehension. Additionally, the fear of Math as a difficult subject is a common obstacle that students face. It’s important to dispel this fear and help students see math as an understandable subject,” Pankaj Kaushik, TGT Science teacher at Apeejay School, Chakhri Dadri, who also teaches Math to classes VI to IX, said.

He shared some strategies that educators can use to foster a positive learning experience in Math.

Build Confidence: Convince students that Math is not an inherently difficult subject. Instill confidence in them by emphasising that math is like any other subject — it involves basic reasoning and calculations.

“It is important to tell the student that Math is not a difficult subject at all. It is just the opposite. The students need to be told that it is like any other subject. The only difference is that Math is based on some rules and basic reasoning,” Pankaj said.

Start with Easy Questions: Begin lessons with straightforward questions to build students’ confidence and interest. Gradually progress to more complex problems.

Reduce the fear of Math and cramming: Most students end up learning the questions when they are in lower classes. However, this strategy will not work when they go to higher classes. It is important to the teachers to remove rote learning and make the students understand the concepts.

Define the Meaning: Before diving into a new topic, discuss its meaning and real-life relevance. For example, when teaching compound interest, explain its practical importance in everyday life.

Relate to Daily Life: Connect mathematical concepts to real-world applications. For instance, relate concepts to buying and selling to make students see the practicality of Math.

Varied Assessments: When evaluating students’ understanding, vary the questions and scenarios. Avoid repeating the same questions to challenge students and encourage deep learning.

“While giving a test to the students, it is important to slightly change the language/statement of the questions. I also change the digits/numbers making it a new question. When the students can come up with the correct answer, they are proud of their achievement. Slowly, their interest in the subject increases and they start finding the subject easy,” Pankaj shared.

It is important to tell the student that Math is not a difficult subject at all. It is just the opposite. The students need to be told that it is like any other subject. The only difference is that Math is based on some rules and basic reasoning

Pankaj Kaushik, TGT Science at Apeejay School, Chakhri Dadri

The educator also said that the students need to put in hard work to master Math. “The students need to understand that to understand this subject, teaching, and learning need to go hand-in-hand,” Pankaj said, and shared tips that students to follow.

Learn tables: Memorise multiplication tables up to 25. Learn them randomly, not just sequentially, to improve flexibility in problem-solving.

Regular practice: Practice tables at least once a week. Consistent practice ensures that mathematical knowledge remains sharp.

Revise at home: After learning a topic in the classroom, review it at home. Don’t assume you’ve understood it completely in class; reinforcing your understanding at home is vital.

“Revise what you have learnt the same day. Don’t push it to another day. Math is not a subject to be taken lightly. Students should do their homework on the same day. This is because the topic is fresh in the mind of the student and easy to get the answers right,” Pankaj advised.

Understand the question: Before attempting the question, understand what it is asking. Usually, the students are in a hurry to attempt the questions. This is a no-no. Read the question calmly, understand, and then attempt.

Ask your doubts then and there: Students while attempting the questions, must enjoy it. Also, if the student has any questions the same day or the next day. They must ask the teacher without feeling that he/she will be ridiculed for asking.

Don’t be in a hurry: The students must write down each step while solving the questions. This is especially true when it comes to Board exams. Each step has marks, if you miss it, you will lose marks.

By implementing these strategies and tips, both educators and students can work together to make mathematics more accessible and enjoyable. Remember, success in Math, like any other subject, requires effort and understanding from both sides.