High-Impact Math Skills for Summer Learning

Trying to find the most worthwhile way to help your child in math can be a little overwhelming.  We get it.  As a parent it can be confusing just trying to figure out where to start, what math skills they need to focus on, and identify a reliable program that will actually have an impact on their math proficiency and not be a waste of time and money.

But believe us when we say, math is extremely cumulative.  If your child struggled in math this school year and you don’t do anything to try to help them now, then you can bet next year that they will continue to struggle and get left further behind.  We want to help you help your student!  Our online virtual tutoring courses were thoughtfully planned out and designed to provide instruction and practice on critical math skills that the majority of students struggle with in an effort to not only provide support to all students, but also to make an impact on their math proficiency. 

So what should you focus on? When it comes to figuring this out, consider that two main areas tend to have the biggest overall impact and consistently cause turmoil throughout 3rd - 6th grades: Word Problems & Fractions. Here’s why sharpening skills in these two focus areas is so beneficial:

Word Problems

The course: Word Problems Unlocked (Versions available for 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th grades)

Why? Devoting time to learn how to successfully interpret and solve different kinds of math word problems is probably THE most beneficial thing your child can do to have an impact on their current math proficiency.

• Word problems are one of the most challenging parts of math for ALL students. Word problems are inherently difficult because there are so many steps students must get right in order to arrive at a correct answer. Even students who otherwise enjoy math often become frustrated and give up when confronted with a word problem.
• Students WILL encounter word problems on math tests-- all the time (both classroom and standardized tests). There is a story stuck on repeat that we hear from parents all the time: My child did well on all of the classwork and homework assignments, but then bombed the test. Many times, teachers have to spend the majority of instructional time teaching the actual skill. Students are able to correctly solve computational problems but fail when tasked with solving a word problem where they have to figure out which computation(s) to perform. Not scoring well on classroom tests has a significant negative impact on their math grade.
• Word problems pack a powerful one-two punch. When students practice solving word problems, they are also simultaneously tuning-up their computational math skills required for solving each problem like adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing.
• Word problems teach students how to solve real mathematical problems they encounter in everyday life.  There is a reason why over half of the questions found on both classroom and standardized tests are word problems.  The ability to successfully interpret and solve a math word problem provides the ultimate demonstration of understanding of a math skill. Parents and state boards of education all agree that students should be able to not only compute with numbers, but also apply those computational skills to life. 

Fractions

The courses: Fractions Unlocked: Introduction to Fractions and Fractions Unlocked 2: Expanding Fraction Skills

Why? Further developing and expanding a solid foundation with fractions will have a high impact on your child’s math abilities now AND in the future. 

• Fractions are inherently difficult. Fractions have consistently been identified as a source of frustration and confusion among students, teachers and parents alike.  Recent data from the 2022 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) supports this statement reporting that in 2022, only 74% of 4th grade students nationally were able to successfully compare fractions to determine which were greater than or less than. 
• Fractions are MISSION CRITICAL for success in middle and high school mathematics. Once fractions are introduced in 3rd grade, their presence begins to spread like wildfire throughout the 4th and 5th grade math curriculum until finally in 6th grade math and beyond they appear in almost every math lesson. In the article, Fractions: Where it all Goes Wrong, Dr. Robert S. Siegler, award winning professor at Columbia University states that, “Fifth graders’ fraction knowledge predicts high school students’ algebra learning and overall math achievement... Moreover, in a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Algebra 1 teachers in the US, most rated as “poor” their students’ knowledge of fractions and rated fractions as the second greatest impediment to their students mastering algebra (second only to “word problems”)."
• Fractions are everywhere in REAL LIFE!  Understanding fractions is necessary for success in many areas of life.  We encounter them in cooking, shopping, measuring, managing time and so much more! Look closely and you will find fractions present in almost every profession and heavily used in high demand/high paying fields such as medical, construction and architecture, engineering, and computer science. 

Mastery in these areas not only improves immediate math performance but also equips students with vital skills for future academic and professional success. If you seek an impactful way to enhance your child's math proficiency or maintain their skills during the summer, these courses are sure to do just that.

You can learn more about each course here:

Word Problems Unlocked (available for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade)
Fractions Unlocked: An Introduction to Fractions (perfect for rising 3rd and 4th graders)
Fractions Unlocked 2: Expanding Fraction Skills (perfect for rising 4th and 5th graders)