University of Kwazulu-Natal

Mathematics Interventions What Strategies Work For Struggling Students

Bonisiwe Shabane
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mathematics interventions what strategies work for struggling students

Mathematics has the potential to inspire wonder and foster creativity. Deeper than counting and arithmetic, math can provide irrefutable proof of grand ideas and predict new scientific discoveries. Yet for so many students, math feels inaccessible. As educators usher in a new generation of problem solvers, one of their biggest challenges relates to current math proficiency levels. This article provides strategies to help educators maximize and accelerate students’ growth, no matter where they are on their mathematical journeys. In broadest terms, math interventions are ways to help students who are behind in their math learning.

However, for many educators, the meaning of math intervention is the support provided specifically to students who are two or more grade levels behind in a math topic. Some schools offer dedicated classes—frequently with a smaller class size and more than one teacher—for these students who would benefit from intensive math intervention. Interventions can also be given in the course of core math instruction to individual students or small groups. The strategies described in this article can be thought of as Response to Intervention (RTI) math strategies. RTI is a commonly used multi-tiered system of supports for interventions within the core classroom. In this system, students’ instruction is structured with three tiers:

According to the 2015 National Assessment of Educational Progress, two-thirds of eighth-grade students performed at or below a basic level of proficiency in mathematics. In addition, over 90 percent of eighth-grade students with disabilities performed at or below basic levels of proficiency in mathematics. These statistics stress the importance of engaging in solid teaching practice to support students who are struggling in math and students with learning disabilities. Based on our review of the research in this area, effective math teaching practice often incorporates strategies that include: Our librarians recently gathered these readily available, research-based resources that provide insight to teachers on what works when teaching math to struggling learners and students with learning disabilities. This practice guide provides eight recommendations to help teachers, principals and school administrators to identify students who need assistance in mathematics and to address the needs of these students through focused interventions.

Each recommendation has practical suggestions for implementation. Intensive intervention is an individualized, demanding and concentrated approach to instruction. This article presents the evidence-based elements of intensive intervention that teachers should consider when planning for, implementing and monitoring intensive intervention in mathematics. Learning math can be tough, especially for struggling students facing complex math concepts and problem solving strategies. Frustration and low confidence often make it hard to stay motivated. Math teachers play a key role in providing support to help students develop skills and gain confidence.

By using strategies like visual aids, hands-on activities, and real-world scenarios, educators can support students at their own pace and help them achieve math success. Struggling students face challenges due to different learning styles, learning disabilities, and gaps in foundational knowledge. Mathematical language can be confusing, making it difficult to solve word problems and understand instructions. Math anxiety can further affect engagement and progress. Without targeted help, these difficulties persist across grade levels. Identifying the root causes allows math teachers to apply intervention strategies that boost confidence and improve math skills effectively.

Math teachers play a vital role in helping struggling students by adapting instruction to meet their diverse needs. Differentiated instruction, peer tutoring, and small groups provide targeted support that aligns with students’ learning styles. 9:00 am By Proud to be Primary 1 Comment Students struggling with concepts in the classroom need extra attention to help them catch up. Math intervention strategies can be easily implemented in small groups throughout the week to help students right where they are. We have all had students who aren’t grasping the math concepts being taught.

These students need extra guidance to understand the topics at hand. Math interventions will help students catch up to their peers and understand the skills being taught. Here are some strategies to implement in the classroom to help students. Think about math intervention as a way to help students who are behind in the skills being taught in the classroom. They are targeted strategies implemented by the teacher to help students get the support they need to understand the material being taught at grade level. Effective math interventions are essential for helping learners build foundational skills, close gaps, and develop confidence in their mathematical thinking.

With so many instructional approaches out there, it’s essential to focus on strategies grounded in research to make the most of valuable time and effort. This article is written for math teachers, interventionists, instructional coaches, and curriculum coordinators dedicated to implementing what works: evidence-based practices proven to support students who struggle. Math intervention refers to targeted approaches that help students who are struggling in one or more areas of mathematics reach grade-level proficiency. Intervention can happen at all tier levels and the ideas in this blog are applicable across all tiers. As educators, one of our fundamental motivations is seeing students achieve. Effective math intervention matters because it provides structured support for students to reach and exceed grade-level expectations.

When we successfully equip students to meet these benchmarks, we significantly increase their likelihood of graduation and pursuit of higher education—outcomes we all aspire to see in our students. Not all math interventions are created equal! In today's diverse classrooms, math educators face the persistent challenge of helping students build both skills and confidence. With numerous instructional approaches available, focusing on evidence-based practices—approaches proven by research to make a meaningful difference—becomes essential. These methods not only maximize our limited time and resources but ensure every student has a genuine opportunity to succeed in mathematics. There are so many opinions about everything these days, the question is How do we know what’s effective?.

Too often, well-intended classroom activities yield minimal results in terms of actual student achievement. Many educators default to approaches learned from colleagues or simply continue practices that have "always been done." Fortunately, we don’t have to leave things to chance, we have a wealth of research that points... However, research clearly demonstrates that certain classroom practices deliver substantially better outcomes for learners. Not all students find math easy, some will need a math intervention or extra math program to keep up. Whether this extra support is provided by math interventionists in school or class teachers, this guide will help you support students improve their math skills through explicit instruction and other effective strategies. If you’re not a specialist math interventionist, it can be overwhelming knowing where to start when implementing math interventions for students.

Many math intervention myths add to this overwhelm. This article will help to debunk these myths and provide a deeper understanding of math interventions. Discover practical tips and guidance to help you implement successful interventions from elementary through to high school. A math intervention is a targeted instructional approach to math. It is designed to provide additional support and assistance to students who struggle with math skills and concepts. Identifying students who need support is crucial for tailoring effective interventions based on assessment data.

In short, high impact tutoring and math interventions help students who are behind in their math learning and may need support from MTSS or RTI. This specialized form of education aims to identify and address specific challenges that individuals face in understanding and applying math. Any student can become an expert mathematician through hard work and continuous practice. One of the challenging parts of being an educator is teaching to the wide range of abilities in the classroom. In this article, we'll explore eight strategies that will help struggling math students. Plus, download free resources to assist you in supporting all math learners!

As you walk down the hallway of an elementary or middle school, it is not uncommon to overhear students' say: “I can’t do math,” “I will never have to use this,” or “math is... Luckily, there are lots of strategies that math teachers can use to support struggling students. A common misconception is that math is black and white; you either can do it or you can’t. In reality, math offers plenty of room for students to explore, experiment, and unveil the patterns from which operations, rules, and mathematical phenomena are derived. Download the 5 Strategies to Help Struggling Math Learners Tip Sheet now. Demme Learning · October 2, 2024 · Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that math scores among students in virtually every grade level fell significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Although these scores have begun to recover over the last two years, many students struggle in mathematics and have yet to reach their pre-pandemic levels. As the 2024-25 school year commences, carefully planned math interventions can help struggling students build strong mathematical foundations and overcome their difficulties. Early intervention is one piece of the puzzle, but a math education program tailored to student’s specific issues is also key to teaching them essential math skills. With the right approach, parents and teachers can implement intervention strategies for struggling students and help them grasp fundamental math concepts. Before implementing any math intervention strategies, pinpoint specific areas where a student is struggling.

This process involves evaluating their current math skills as well as their understanding of key concepts.

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