Today I observed Riva’s session with a young Maths student, focusing on trigonometry. The session began with light conversation, setting a friendly and comfortable tone. This approach helped to create a positive learning environment where the student felt at ease. Once rapport was established, Riva introduced the core concepts of trigonometry. Using a large whiteboard, she drew a clear and simple diagram to introduce the SOHCAHTOA triangle. This visual aid was crucial in making the topic more accessible and less intimidating for the student. By breaking down each part of the acronym step-by-step, she explained the relationship between the sides and angles of a right-angled triangle, ensuring the student understood the key concepts before moving forward.
After this foundation was laid, Riva moved on to practice problems. She began with simple, clear examples that reinforced the key principles, encouraging the student to apply their new understanding. As the session progressed, Riva gradually increased the difficulty of the problems. This scaffolded approach allowed the student to build confidence with the basics before tackling more challenging questions. When faced with these harder problems, the student was more prepared and less overwhelmed. Riva was patient and encouraging throughout, offering gentle prompts and guidance where necessary.
What stood out most was Riva’s consistent effort to check for understanding. Instead of moving on too quickly, she paused to seek feedback from the student, asking targeted questions to ensure they had grasped each concept. Her use of visual, verbal, and written explanations meant that concepts were reinforced through multiple learning methods, which catered to different learning styles. This approach not only boosted the student’s understanding but also built their confidence. By the end of the session, the student appeared more comfortable with trigonometry and ready to tackle similar problems independently.
Freddie Le Vay
