maths teacher

How to be a better maths teacher

Most parents and teachers strive to always do their best. 

Teaching children at home, as a tutor, or with a whole classroom of students with very individual needs and learning styles always engages your full attention.

It may even be a little stressful!

Sometimes you just need help. And the great news is, there are resources out there that do make teaching maths simpler. The 4 Step Approach is one such resource. It's a detailed method you can engage to present each lesson. It shows you where to start and what to do.

This method is research-proven to work. It's a master plan for success, based on research proven methodologies and has been tried and tested by thousands of Australian parents, teachers and tutors. It is continuing to prove itself as an invaluable resource.

Step 1: Prepare for the Lesson

Watch the step-by-step instructional video and reviews the instruction material.
This shows you, the teacher, exactly what to teach and how to teach it, as well as a few extra tips for making it easier for the student to understand.

Step 2: Present the Material

Use the "Build, Write, Say, Spell" method when teaching the lesson to the student. As proven by research, using the manipulatives is key to engage the kinaesthetic brain (and all learning styles) and will support your student with greater understanding and retention, and outstanding maths confidence.

The "Build, Write, Say, Spell" method incorporates the student also teaching the topic back to their teacher. It's a great way to test their own understanding and to make sure they've really got the concepts down pat.

Step 3: Practice for Mastery

The student practices what they have been taught in the student workbook, also using the relevant manipulatives. Keep an eye on how they are working (e.g there should be no finger counting). Let them use the manipulatives to work with numbers and touch, feel and see each maths problem, before they progress to full abstract mastery.

Step 4: Progress after Mastery

Assign further review pages to reinforce what has been taught. Further practice means they will have learnt how to do that maths problem well. When mastery has been demonstrated, just move right on to the next lesson.

This entire process teaches to mastery. That means the student stays with the topic until they have fully learnt what is being taught. We all know there is absolutey NO point moving forward if the student doesn't understand the concept ( it just means you'll have to go back and fill in those gaps later - and then it's so much harder!)

Want some more free maths resources?

We also have a whole lot more free maths resources in our Mega Bundle Download, including lesson planners, record sheets, maths fact sheets and a handy 0-9 Number Chart that will help teach proper number patterning.

Here's the link for the complete free maths resources bundle:

maths teacher


We've had great feedback about these resources, so we hope you find them helpful too!

Warmly,

Esther White

Some posts on our blog contain affiliate links. This means if you click on a link and purchase an item from a third party, we may receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain that of the author of the post.

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