Finding the Glory in the Struggle:
Helping out students thrive when math gets tough
Learning mathematics is a struggle at some level for all of us. Rather than seeing this struggle as something to avoid, we can see it as one of the most valuable things offered to our students. Mathematics offers them an opportunity to learn how to work through the struggle, how to bring to it what they have, how to find and use the things they need. Regardless of their perceived aptitudes or gifts in mathematics, they can learn that they have within themselves what they need to meet this challenge.
Struggling in mathematics is not the enemy, any more than sweating is the enemy in basketball; it is part of the process, and a clear sign of being in the game. Math asks our students to think in ways they are not used to thinking; they will be asked to look at the obvious in ways they’re not accustomed to, and then we’ll ask them to explore the not-so-obvious in similar ways. A rigor of thinking and clarity of expression is demanded that will stretch them beyond familiar styles. It will also require an honest pursuit; there really are no shortcuts.
Children learn many things in school, encompassing not just what they’ve learned, but how they’ve learned. Maneuvering through struggles in school, young people learn how to meet challenges for which there is no map, and no shortcut. Life will present them with struggles, whether we wish this to be so or not. How they approach this struggle of mathematics will affect how they approach the struggles in life.
The opportunity begins when the struggle begins.
How parents can help.
Without knowing a factor from a function, the parent, more than anyone, is in position to help the student engage in the struggle of mathematics. Parents don’t need to fear this struggle, nor do they need to take it on themselves; it is an essential and important part of learning mathematics. If the parent accepts the struggle, the student can. And even more important, if the parent values the struggle, and sees math as more than just a series of right answers, the young person can approach mathematical learning in way that will not only make success in mathematics more likely, but carry over to pursuits far beyond the mathematics classroom.
Know that the struggle is okay, that it takes time to learn things.
Help students understand that they are not expected to get it all right or understand it all clearly, the first time. If parents believe that struggling means stupidity, students feel a tension that gets in the way of learning.
Students need to take responsibility for their own learning and their own struggle.
Believing, erroneously, that math learning comes easily to some and not to others results in an attitude of “why bother? I’ll never be good at this,” when the subject becomes unclear. If students expect to encounter confusion we can help them see that the way through that confusion is application of effort—their effort. Encourage youngsters to dig in when it get tough, not flee into excuses.
Resist the very common temptation to explain the struggle as genetic.
Parent should not say, “I was never very good a math, either.” The goal is to help student learn how to use what they have to meet the struggle, not to fear, avoid, or abandon the struggle from a belief that they cannot do it.
Guide children to resources that can help (their textbook, their notes)
The answer to “where can I go for help?” is often sitting in the bottom of a backpack. What a valuable lesson for students to discover that answers come not from magic, but from reading and thinking and struggling to understand a sentence, or an equation in a book they have ready and available. When you child does not understand, encourage them to:
· Look back at their notes.
· Read the lesson section in their book.
· Do their homework the day it is assigned so they can come to me before or after school the next day.
· Attend the free tutoring sessions that the school offers.
· Not to miss class, once they fall behind, it is really difficult to catch up on concepts.
Value math homework – encourage children to do more than just ‘get it done’.
If parents actively praise and value the effort their student makes in pursuing understanding, the student gets the message that the struggle is important. They can feel a pride and confidence that is significant even when understanding is slow in coming.
Expand the focus beyond grade.
Overemphasizing the grade too often results in negative behaviors to get the grade. Rather than learning responsibility, or the confidence that comes from struggling through his or her own efforts, the student seeks quick fixes; missing the bigger picture.
Praise the process.
If students are in the game, working at it, struggling and coming to understanding bit by bit, let them know how great this is! This is what doing math is all about. Some things that you can help your child gain a better appreciation for math is:
· Ask your student what they learned in class today.
· Ask to see test results, compliment them on things that they did well.
· Provide external motivation to get homework done on time.
· If your student still struggles, talk with me about making sure they are properly placed in the right class, pushing your student beyond their capabilities can sour their attitude towards math.
Organization is key.
Teach your child basic organizational skills. It sounds simple enough, but students who tend to forget their books or what assignment they are suppose to be doing has a negative effect on their learning. Teach them that procrastinating or falling behind on assignments will have a negative effect on their learning. Take time to make sure:
· Students are bringing their homework home from school.
· Students are doing their homework the same time each night.
· Students are doing their homework on the day it is assigned (e.g. A-day, B-day assignments).
· Students are keeping their folder organized.
· You are checking Power school weekly to ensure that students are handing in homework.
Excerpts taken from an article by Suzanne Sutton in “Bulletin” (Feb 1997)
