Building a Base with Basic Math
By: Ernie Bilodeau, Regional Director
Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services
It may become clear a student has problems with basic mathematics skills based on test scores and what a teacher perceives. The reasons can vary from the student having missed something along the way, he just can’t stand math or doesn’t respond well to the teacher’s style. Whatever the deficiencies, solutions exist; and early detection is a great way to get started. Resources to reinforce basic math skills include:
- Private tutoring- A Club Z math tutor can design consistent, custom learning sessions to help your child improve his basic understanding of math concepts. Individualized learning involves particular awareness to the child’s comfort level, mastery of skills, even his optimal time for study and preferred learning style.
Make the New Year Add Up!
By: Ernie Bilodeau, Regional Director
Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services
It’s about that time for a New Year’s resolution (but you can start any time), and what better promise is out there than to improve math grades. As with all projects children undertake, they should avoid being vague or too general with the proposition. Instead of saying, “I’ll do better in math”, encourage them to specify with an action such as, “I will practice my multiplication tables daily”. To help children and parents reach that goal, set aside the calculator and put your noggins to work with these fun exercises:
Supermarket Addition. As mom and dad place items in the grocery cart, kids can keep a running tally of the cost. To start with, they can round off each product’s cost. Compare the total with that of the cashier at the checkout counter. For more of a challenge, try to keep an exact running total, and then add the sales tax. By the time children reach the checkout counter, they’ll be aces in the math craft!
read moreReinventing “Homework Time”
By Ernie Bilodeau, Regional Director
Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services
“But I hate homework! It takes too much time and it’s stupid!” – Sound familiar? Although good work is its own reward, for some students the price of trudging through homework assignments exceeds the satisfaction of a job well done. If this is an oft heard phrase at your house, you may have a student who needs a little more motivation to tackle that dreaded chore of homework.
Incentive systems for homework serve the same purpose of incentive systems you might find at your own job: work hard, tackle the difficult task, and earn a reward. This is the simplest type of incentive system and is often quite effective on the job and with students.
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