Case
Math Advice from Students Who Hate Math

I always wondered by students never liked math, they dread coming into the class or lesson. Is it because of the teacher and how they instruct the lesson or is it because math is hard? What are some tools/strategies/ even advice for a future math teacher to make the math lessons more appealing for my students?

Posted on: 02/17/20 | Views: 558
Solution #1
The more ways the teacher can present the information, the better. Students learn in many different ways and this suggests that a one size fits all will be inappropriate when instructing mathematics lessons. In addition to giving multiple means of presentation, the teacher should be giving the students multiple means of representation to express their understanding of the content.

I agree with this approach.

I think this is great because people learn in many ways. I loved math in school and tutored kids and I found it is hard for them to understand because of the explanation process of math. But it s good to have many activities and allow students to feel comfortable to have a discussion or ask questions.

If I was a teacher I would find unique ways to make math more interesting.

I agree with this approach and see it being useful

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Solution #2
Make your math lessons visual and engaging. Students need to know they can do the math and it isn't hard for them once they get it. Let your students have fun with math and they will surely show up for your class.

If I was a teacher I would create lesson plans that keep students involved.

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Solution #3
I think it's important to make your lessons fun and interactive, speak enthusiastically, try to incorporate jokes (even if they're corny). To involve students more try writing problems on the board and have multiple students go up and race to solve it, maybe throw in a prize for them.

Great solution.

If I was a teacher I would find fun and engaging math activities.

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Solution #4
A lot of students have an aversion to math. When math gets hard they often get discouraged and start to think they are incapable of learning math. As a math teacher, it's very important to teach your students about a growth mindset. Anyone is capable of learning math as long as you believe in your abilities. Constantly assuring students that they all can learn math if they believe that they can can help them enjoy math more.

As a teacher its your job to keep a student motivated when it comes to math. I would try finding a students weakness.

I really like this solution! A growth mindset is very important

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Solution #5
Math can be a hard subject to some students because of their past teachers. For example, if a student had a teacher who did not effectively teach math, the student will more likely have a negative viewpoint of math. Math can be a hard subject for some students, so some students may need extra time and help for some topics. Introducing students to resources like KhanAcademy and Kahoot can make your lessons more interactive.

As a teacher it could be hard to make math more interesting from a students past experience,

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Solution #6
Keep math instruction fun and exciting as possible, remember to encourage your students. Yes it may be difficult, but with effort and consistency you can achieve all of your math goals. I would use a lot of visual and keep is simplistic as possible and I would use manipulative and relate it to everyday things that the student encounters.
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Solution #7
Try and make math lessons as engaging as possible. Use hands-on activities where students can interact.

As a teacher I would keep new topics engaging.

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Solution #8
I struggled to understand math as a student, so I dreaded every math lesson/class. What changed everything is when my science teacher took me aside and explained how everyone has certain strengths--for instance, she knew I loved writing. Sometimes, when we have strengths in some subjects, we tend to have challenges in other subjects. I was good at English but found mathematics difficult. Knowing that nothing was wrong with me, that it was normal to struggle in some subjects, I was more confident in math class.

If I was a teacher I would offer additional help for my students who struggle more.

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Solution #9
As someone who has always disliked math,I think a passionate and attentive teacher can go a long way. I know that some students, including past me, can feel stupid for asking questions and still simply "not getting it". If you have students that hate math, I would try to go to them separately and explain what they don't understand to them even if it is simple. Once they "get it", I know they will be very happy and feel accomplished. This will most likely make them more eager to learn how to do more in math.
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Solution #10
I saw a solution on here, and I commented something similar to this but I wanted to make sure my solution gets out there. Some people might said (have said) to encourage failing when it comes to math because that is how you learn. I would never encourage "failing" within the students because that will give them less motivation to try to get good grades because they will see it as the teacher accepting failing grades. I would instead encourage mistakes. I would tell my students that your brain grows when you make a mistake and realize what your mistake is because it you did not make a mistake, your brain stays the same. Praising mistakes is a better strategy than encouraging failing.

I agree i'll never encourage failing. As a teacher I'll encourage practice makes perfect.

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Solution #11
I feel like some students hate math because they feel as though it is too hard, or they don't have a "math brain". This is just like any subject, though. It is all about differentiating instruction. Find ways to engage your students like never before. Have them work in groups with manipulatives. Let them go outside to make measurements, do experiments involving math.
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Solution #12
Focus more on kinesthetic learning at first or using manipulatives or games for math at first and then go into more lessons. Or have one day out of the week were math is all about learning through games.
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Solution #13
I feel like it stems from when they first started learning math and either the teacher or students didn't have a positive outlook on it. This in turn makes the student anxious and nervous to learn math. Over the years of their schooling career, where the math does get more difficult and other influences continue to add to that nervousness and anxiety.
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Solution #14
Start out the year by teaching students about a growth mindset. It is important for students to realize where they are at and steps\strategies they can use to build on their prior knowledge. This helps a lot of students in all subjects!
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Solution #15
Explain to the students what a growth mindset is and how it can help them when learning. Explain to them that the brain is a muscle and the more you exercise it the stronger it becomes. Students do not like math sometimes because they think they are not good at it and people like doing things they are good at. It is important to explain to the students that even when they are not getting the answers correct, they are still working out their brain.
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Solution #16
I think many students dislike math because it feels disconnected from their daily lives and it is hard for students to see the value or applications of it. It is also is commonly taught in a lecture, followed up with sets of practice problems, which can feel tedious and boring. One thing that can help is connecting this math to students lives so they can see where it would come in handy, and make it an active learning process. Engage students in figuring the math out before fully explaining it.

I agree. many students feel they dont utilize math day to day. Regular counting yes but when it comes to fractions and simplifying things n.

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Solution #17
This has been an occurring problem for years and years. I always hated math and had a mindset that I can't learn this or it is too hard to understand. Although, some teachers I have had are actually really bad at teaching this subject and introduce the content in such a dry approach. Teachers need to make this a fun subject to learn and engage their students in the lesson. Mathematical Mindsets is an amazing book and I recommend every teacher should read to learn how to open up a growth mindset to understand math and open their mind to understanding that we can learn everything if we go into it with a positive mindset.

If I was a teacher I try ending this trend of students not liking math.

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Solution #18
If I had students who weren't big fans of math I would make sure I taught lessons that were fun and interesting. I would use different models and visuals to teach them and also have them interact with their classmates. It's important to be patient with students who don't love math and help guide them through learning

If I was a teaching I would keep each topic as interesting as possible.

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Solution #19
Many students have an aversion to math. This may be emotional because it frustrates them or simply because they find it boring. The most important thing to keep in mind while teaching math is teaching a growth mindset. A growth mindset helps students want to learn and get better, instead of being bogged down by mistakes they are making. Making math interactive as well with activities and relevant lessons that relate directly to the real world may also help the students connect more with math.

I agree

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Solution #20
Maybe try adding a fun video that relates the topic to the real world at the beginning of every lesson. From my experience students have really enjoyed this. For example when learning about volume, we had a video that showed how Amazon workers use volume to ship packages correctly.

If I was a teaching trying new techniques can help to keep student engaged and ready to learn.

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Solution #21
Make sure your math lessons aren't just visual, but hands on. Find or create games that will have the students work cooperatively.

I agree as a teacher you don't want only visual lessons but hands on activities.

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Solution #22
Use hands on projects, do not give them the answer, but make them think for the answer, praise every student even when the answer is wrong, use wrong answers for examples so all students can learn. do not give extensive homework.

if I was a teacher I would also create mostly hands on activities when it come to math lessons.

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Solution #23
I have always wondered the same thing. I enjoy math but most of my peers do not. Usually the cause is confusion due to lesson or being taught numerous different ways to solve the same problem at the same time. Or learning multiple formulas and not knowing which one is for which problem. I would suggest making a chart of formulas, what each is for and example problems for each for one possible solution.

I would help with making strategies less complicated.

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Solution #24
I think that a lot of students tend to not like math because they are afraid of failing. As a future teacher, I think you should make sure your students know that it is okay to fail. Students think that they are not a "math person" because they were failing, but in all reality failing is just a sign of learning. I also think that you should stress to students that the how you find the answer is more important than the answer at all.

I understand the point the author of this solution is trying to make, but I do not think this is the best way to work around it. I would never encourage "failing" within the students because that will give them less motivation to try to get good grades because they will see it as the teacher accepting failing grades. I would instead encourage mistakes. I would tell my students that your brain grows when you make a mistake and realize what your mistake is because it you did not make a mistake, your brain stays the same. Praising mistakes is a better strategy than encouraging failing.

If I was a teacher I wouldn't let my students know its ok to fail but to make mistakes or get confused. I would then offer more study material.

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