Things You'll Need:
- Dry erase board and markers
- Math books
- Pencils
- Fraction blocks
- Apple
- Knife and cutting board
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Step 1
Begin by explaining the concept using real world items. For example, if you are teaching addition using the problem two plus two equals four, put two pencils on the table. Have a student add two more pencils on the table and ask how many there are.
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Step 2
Immediately tie the real world activity to the mathematical equation it represents. In the example above, write two plus two equals four as soon as you have shown that adding two pencils to two that you already have gives you four pencils. Explain again what two plus two equals fours means in case someone doesn't get it.
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Step 3
Repeat the same procedure before generalizing the rule. For example, give the students the chance to practice adding two repeatedly before you ask them to add five. Make sure they have practiced repeatedly adding twos, threes, fours and so on before you start giving them random numbers to add together.
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Step 4
Try to use eye catching visual aids that will stick in your student's heads when teaching arithmetic. For example, you can cut an apple in half and then into quarters in order to teach about fractions. Not only does the demonstration teach your students about fractions, but the dramatic quality of it will help them remember what they learned.
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Step 5
Use multiple modalities. Have students call out answers, do work sheets, show the solution with blocks or straws, hold up numbers of fingers, and write the answers up on the board.
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Step 6
Test your students using both story problems and simple arithmetic problems. Some students easily learn to follow a procedure, but have trouble understanding its meaning. Others can puzzle out a real world scenario, but have difficulty grasping the underlying rules. By combining both types of problems, you can test both skills.
