Study Skills – How to Study for Math

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     In order to become proficient in math, students must develop good study habits.  Students are accustomed to studying only for tests and not on a daily basis.

     You can improve your child's study skills by the following:

1.  Setting a Schedule

     Math concepts are cumulative.  Students build new math knowledge and skills based on previous knowledge and skills.  It is important to be proficient at basic math skills before learning more advanced ones.

     The average grade 1-8 math curriculum contains about 100-150 math lessons (much more for high school).  Considering there are about 190 school days a year, it doesn’t leave much room to review concepts over the year (days are lost to field trips, sickness, special days, presentations, etc...

     Since a new math lesson is taught almost every day, students must review their math lessons daily in order to keep up.  They must know and understand the math from today before learning the lesson tomorrow.  Even if there are no new assignments each day, students should review the skills they learned earlier in the week or the week before.  This will make studying for the math test much easier, and hopefully lead to a better grade.

2.  Finding a Comfy Spot

     Find a spot where your child is comfortable.  It is trite to say that children should study somewhere quiet, but that may not always be the best idea.  Silence often leads to daydreaming.  I have had many students (myself included) who work well with noise; in fact, they can tune out distractions and focus better on their work.

     Some children feel uncomfortable in solitude.  They would rather be at the kitchen table, or in the living room.  You know your child best.  Have your child study in different rooms and see what he/she takes to best (you’ll be able to know if he/she is faking!).

3.  Mastering Basic Facts

     Since math is cumulative, it is important that your child reviews basic math facts before attempting difficult math concepts and skills for homework.

4.  Encourage Your Child to do More Problems

     The key to math success is practice.  If your child completes all of the questions in his or her textbook, find more questions for him or her to do.