We launched this site at the beginning of the summer because we wanted to be prepared for this time of the year. We have created 3 months of content so teachers and parents will have a database of tutorials to assist their children with their homework. Right now the focus is K-5, but the real reason why is because the learning gap starts around 2nd grade and continues to widen every year. Part of the reason is the introduction of multiplication when students have not yet mastered addition and subtraction. I just had a conversation about how 2nd grade spends so much time on addition, subtraction and place value and then third grade goes right into multiplication and division with little mention of place value, then 4th grade comes back starting off with place value to the millions. How can we help this issue? Continue practicing with addition and subtraction in the third grade. Don’t just stop because the standards say multiplication and division. This is a skill that needs to continue to be cultivated. Especially place value because they get introduced to digits to the right of the decimal. How can we help to close the math gap if we continue to move students forward without addressing the issue? In the classroom, this is where small group instruction comes in hand. This starts with…
- Finding out what your students know and don’t know. – What happens if you try to make a multi layer cake when the previous layer isn’t cooked thoroughly? The cake will collapse. Sometimes you find out the layer before (grade level) didn’t finish cooking and you have to stick it back in the oven. That’s where you have to continue cooking (small groups, tutoring, review) needs to occur.
- Meet them where they are. –Yes we need to continue to teach grade level material, but they also need to strengthen the skills that they are weak in. How can you teach decimals when they don’t understand whole numbers yet?
- Create a plan and adjust as needed. – How are you going to address their needs? What are their strengths and how do they flourish? Do they learn better with hands-on activities or with technology? Do they need one-on one attention or small groups? Pay attention to details, create a plan and execute.
The gaps are real and they won’t close on their own, but we need to reinforce skills that our students have in order to help them become better math students. We are our students’ best advocates.
-Liz