How to Close Learning Gaps in 5th Grade Math
Math was a subject in school that was either loved or needed to be tolerated for many, and few sit in the middle. However, research shows that 30% of Americans have a negative attitude towards Math. The National Center of Education Statics survey indicates that 30% of Americans would go as far as to say they would rather clean a bathroom than solve a math problem. Surveys also indicate that most Americans would instead read a book to their children over teaching them math. Others believe that there are people who are born to be mathematicians. Unfortunately, these misconceptions are transferred to our children, causing them to affect the subject negatively. Fifth graders are more likely to experience a learning gap in math due to these misconceptions and myths. The learning gap can also be due to the introduction of many concepts and less comprehension.
At Kids on the Yard, we understand all the learning challenges that 5th graders face due to the learning gap in math. As a result, our educators have formulated ways to help them bridge the learning gap. We equip them with mathematics skills and a yearning desire, confidence that one can achieve anything, and a curious character. Besides these, we help your child to bridge the learning gap in math by following these researched-based steps:
1. FIFTH GRADE TEST & FIFTH GRADE ASSESSMENT
If you are homeschooling your child or are enrolled in your local public school, you will most likely have been made aware of their math struggles. You are also probably aware of all the topics that they do not comprehend. If that is not the case, don’t worry, we have a solution for you. By testing and assessing your 5th-grade child based on the topics, they should know to update. This requirement of testing your child on all the previously done concepts will determine which ones that they need to relearn.
Testing in fifth grade, in this case, is not meant to determine your child’s performance but to pinpoint the available learning gaps. As such, we shall closely analyze your child’s response to each question. More tests will be administered in the past grade levels in lower-level assessments. We shall ensure your child understands that the tests are purely for evaluation purposes and not grading.
2. LIST DOWN THE TOPICS
After highlighting all the topics that your 5th grader lacks comprehension in, we start from there and move our way forward to becoming on grade level. Our math educators will cover them effectively within a considerable time. Kids on the Yard math tutors are keen on dealing with each student individually learning needs based on their pace and abilities.
3. GOING BACK IN TIME
Our math educators will need to come back to earlier years to bring their students forward. For instance, it may be discovered that your 5th Grader never learned or understood the multiplication table, a concept from the 3rd-grade level. By going through previous topics from lower grade levels, our educator can concentrate on essential areas missed in math. At kids on the Yard, we engage your child math by meeting them where they are at and move them forward.
4. RESTUDY SOME LOWER GRADE TOPICS TO REINFORCE CURRENT TOPICS
You can bridge the learning gap in math by reviewing a weak area from a former grade level before introducing a new topic. For instance, your child can relearn fundamental division, a case in 3rd-grade level and long division in the 4th-grade level before doing fractions in the 5th grade. This approach is primarily successful when the learning gaps are few.
5. BE KEEN ON THE SEQUENCE OF THE TOPICS
A sequence of topics in math is critical because concepts build upon each other. Therefore, it is vital to consider a series of issues when bridging the learning gap in the subject. Most of the topics flow together and would not make sense if they are poorly arranged. For instance, learning the multiplication table in advance will make it easy to understand other concepts such as factoring, divisions, multiplication, and fractions.
FINAL TAKE & TUTORING PROGRAM
How you bridge learning gaps in math varies from one child to another. With some children, it is possible to introduce new concepts while relearning previous ones. Such children feel motivated to learn something new as they revise old ones. On the other hand, you may not introduce new topics when closing a learning gap with some children. It is most complicated to introduce a new topic when a child lags in too many topics.
