There can be challenges for students. Many will shut down once they do not understand. By being there to encourage them through the confusion, you will make a big difference in their approach to learning. Do not let students think they are just okay at math. Encourage them to grow and step outside their comfort zone.
-Madi Drasher
Something I found helpful to do with the students in my class was to ask them what they would normally do to solve a problem, so I can see where they are making mistakes. I found this better than telling them straight that they are wrong and then correcting them. When they work through the problem, you can stop and ask them questions about their work to get them thinking more.
- Serena Muturi
I have found that a lot of students will call me over, saying that, 'they don't know what to do'. In these situations ask them, what the problem is asking, what they need to find, and what they know about the topic, to get them started. Often, these students know how to do the problem, but they don't have the confidence to start it.
- Gwendolyn G.K.
Each student learns differently, and it's important to recognize that. Asking my teacher to share class content slides with me has been very helpful. Knowing how to solve the problem will not only allow you to be a better mentor, but it will allow you to find different approaches to giving support. It's helpful for students if you ask them questions about the problem, and it's easier to do this if you know the content better or have the direct resources to support them.
- Nate Murray
Often students just get stuck on one little part of a problem, so try to compare it to other problems where they work with similar problem solving strategies.
-Ava Score
It's really helpful to ask students what their first step would be or if they know any formulas they could apply to the specific problem. It is important to not directly tell them the answer because they need to learn through solving the problem independently. One way to get them started could be asking if they have done any problems similar to it and have them go back to look at it.
- Grace McCraine
When kids say that they don't know how to do something, it helps if you ask them what they know already and try to push them in the right direction instead of just telling them the answer. This not only teaches them how to problem solve on their own but it also allows them to feel more accomplished.
-Kylee Wooten
While working with a student, help them work through the one or two problems and then let them do the next problems individually. This way they can use the couple problems you did together as a reference or guide if they get confused.
-Anika S
You should always look around in the class for the students that don't seem to really understand what's going on. Students like these often don't raise their hands are can be embarrassed to ask for help. Some helpful ways to support students like these is sitting close to them and explaining to them how the problem works bit by bit.
- Shuaib Mahamed
Sitting next to students who have a hard time focusing or are distracted can help them to pay attention. If you don't know the answer to a problem, figuring it out together is a good way to show the students you are human too and that you relate to them.
-Kiersten Lawrance
Be patient with students that don't understand things right away. Ask them questions about what they do know before getting into more difficult topics to build a base for answering questions.
With some concepts it can be easiest to just teach them a way to solve and then see how they understand it by having them complete a few problems on their own.
- Garrett Freeland