8th Grade Math Teaching Strategies

If you have never been a struggling learner in
math, it can be hard to understand why some students struggle so much. In order
to truly help a struggling learner, it is important to build a strong
connection with them so they will open up to you. Many children feel more
comfortable with an outside teacher rather than working with a parent. For this
reason, many families will hire online math tutoring to help their children
gain critical math skills.

The Grade 8 math curriculum is designed to appeal
to each student’s unique interests, abilities, and needs. As a result, it is
imperative to make connections to all students’ prior knowledge, experiences,
and backgrounds. As much as each teacher tries to offer this, at a more senior
grade level, it can be challenging to connect with each child’s diverse
interests and experiences. This is why private online math tutoring is so
beneficial.

Students learn by attaching meaning to what they
do, and they need to construct their own meaning of mathematics. This meaning
is best developed when learners encounter mathematical experiences that proceed
from the simple to the complex and from the concrete to the abstract. The use
of manipulatives and a variety of pedagogical approaches can address the
diversity of learning styles and developmental stages of students. Online math
tutoring allows the tutor to determine which tools will work best for your
child and how they create meaningful connections. 

Students also need frequent opportunities to
develop and reinforce their conceptual understanding, procedural thinking and
problem-solving abilities. By addressing these three interrelated components,
online math tutoring helps students to strengthen their ability to apply

mathematical learning to their daily lives.

The learning environment created by online math
tutoring should value and respect

all students’ experiences and ways of thinking,
so that learners are comfortable taking intellectual risks, asking questions
and posing conjectures. Working one on one with a private tutor allows your
child to create a relationship with the tutor that lets them feel comfortable
and safe taking risks.

Students need to explore problem-solving
situations in order to develop personal strategies and become mathematically
literate. Learners must realize that it is acceptable to solve problems in
different ways and that solutions may vary. This is another area that online
math tutoring excels. Your child will work with an instructor who will give
them opportunities to explore and will guide them while still allowing them to
learn independently.

Environments that create a sense of belonging,
encourage risk taking and provide opportunities for success help students
develop and maintain positive attitudes and self-confidence. Students with
positive attitudes toward learning mathematics are likely to be motivated and
prepared to learn, participate willingly in learning activities, persist in
challenging situations and engage in reflective practices. Online math tutoring
gives your child this type of environment and fosters positive attitudes
towards learning and how to work through any challenges they face.

Many families choose online math tutoring for
their children in grade 8 because it is a more complex year that often requires
more expertise to support a child through.