Early years of mathematics consists of the foundation where teachers help pave the way for students to understand numbers and their uses and relationships. At this stage, students learn the basics of counting, multiplying, rounding, measurement and so much more. At the end of the day, we want students to understand the material presented, applying the skills they’ve just learned, and recall those concepts in the future when other problems are presented.
Teachers often search for the best math programs for elementary students on the internet to find new ways to make teaching and learning mathematics more interesting. And thanks to the work of other teachers and researchers, there are programs out there that can help transform the way your students learn mathematics. These evidence-based online math programs for elementary students and other grades include hundreds of interactive activities that provide thorough coverage of your mathematics curriculum.
Going beyond the basic pencil and paper is essential to make math a fun learning experience for your students. Let’s look at some quick and easy strategies that will help you teach your kids math in fun and engaging ways they’ll love!
- Math Games
Young children need to imagine themselves as capable mathematicians and one of the fun ways to help instill that confidence is with child-focused and teacher-guided math games and activities that help children practice and consolidate their learning. This helps them feel confident about the knowledge they have and what they can do with it. A quick Google search for “math games” will give you enough ideas for hours of classroom fun!
- Incorporate visuals
Learning effectively and efficiently requires children to use multiple parts of their brain and to do that you need multiple sensory cues to make that happen. Visual representations of new ideas can help them develop a deep understanding of the concept and the problems at hand. Teachers can practice and explain concepts like multiplication and long division with buttons, blocks or other small everyday items.
- Let students think out loud
Giving students a chance to explain the ‘why’ behind their answers, whether right or wrong, helps them think critically about the problem at hand. Furthermore, when teachers have discussions with their students, instead of providing direct instruction, it can go a long way in helping students grasp the concept better.
- Use online resources and educational software
Having a blended classroom can help students learn at a pace they’re comfortable with. They can take their time to learn, process and apply. Additionally, supplementing your curriculum material with Essential Skills, the best math programs for elementary students, can help make math fun, interactive, and personalized for young learners.
Looking for the best elementary math programs?
Contact Essential Skills today to learn more about their Complete Math K-6 and why it offers the best value for math programs for elementary students and older remedial learners.