As Term 1 comes to a close, I just wanted to share a few new + simple teaching methods I’ve been trying out with my 7 – 10 maths students. They’ve not made a complete change in the way I teach, but a few thoughtful alterations have made my sessions feel a lot more engaging and productive for both my students and I!!

Instead of relying solely on textbook questions, I’ve been bringing in more real life examples to explain concepts. Things like budgeting, sports and general everyday situations seem to make the concepts feel a lot more relevant and easier to grasp. When kids can see how a concept applies outside the classroom, something always tends to click. They’re more willing to try, ask questions and stick with problems (instead of throwing in the towel so quickly!)

Another little change I’ve made is asking my students to explain their thinking to me out loud. Rather than just focusing on whether their answer is right or wrong, I get them to walk me through their thinking process. This has really been surprisingly effective – it helps me spot where they might be getting stuck, and encourages them to think more clearly about what they’re doing. I’ve noticed their confidence grow a lot when they realise they can actually explain the work themselves, rather than always relying on me explaining it to them.

Finally, I’ve also started incorporating short time challenges into my sessions as well. These aren’t overly stressful, they just help to keep things interesting and give my students a chance to apply what they’ve learned under some psychological pressure. When it comes to exam time, these kind of exercises undoubtedly help out a bunch.

Overall, these little changes have made my sessions feel a lot more interactive and rewarding. My kids seem much more comfortable participating, and I feel way more connected to how they’re learning. It’s been a really positive shift so far, and I’m looking forward to continuing to refine it next term!!

Thomas Koutavas