Fostering a positive attitude toward mathematics during early childhood leads to future success and confidence in school and adulthood.
According to a study, students who enjoy math show better long-term achievement. Doing well in math can make kids feel happier as they grow up. Therefore, it is crucial to encourage a love for mathematics at an early age to prevent the negative cycle of children believing they are not good at math.
Teachers play a crucial role in fostering a positive attitude toward math, but they also face difficulties in making math classes exciting and engaging for their students.
The good news is that XtraMath Premium can be a valuable tool for helping teachers achieve this goal. However, it is essential to integrate XtraMath Premium effectively into the teaching routine to make the most of it.
Here are five creative strategies to enhance your students' experience and encourage regular use of XtraMath in your classroom:
Weekly XtraMath challenges can motivate students to use the program more frequently. Encourage healthy competition by having them beat their previous mastery scores. Picture the pride when they earn those cool XtraMath Brag Tags and/or you can also give them other special prizes.
Click here to access to our premium resources.
Teachers shared their students' achievements with us on social media using the weekly usage challenge.
Make the XtraMath session a consistent part of your day. Allocate a fixed time to focus on working on XtraMath, like the first fifteen minutes of the class. This regular practice reinforces their skills and helps them view math as an enjoyable part of their daily routine. Consistency is key here!
Vincent Elementary School in Ohio and Winters Elementary Pawtucket in Rhode Island shared on social media the strategy they have implemented: a school-wide "XtraMath Focus Time" for 10-15 minutes each day for first through fourth grades to improve students' fact fluency.
Create a "Trophy Wall" or a special display area in the classroom where you showcase the trophies earned by students during their learning journey. Print the “Class Trophy Tracking Sheets” and display students’ trophies on the wall. You can also give them miniature trophies, which are available at Dollar Tree or Amazon.
Teachers from Kansas and New Jersey shared their student success stories with us:
Organize a mini graduation ceremony in your classroom and add a touch of festivity with some math-themed balloons or a red paper carpet. During the brief ceremony, personally hand out the certificates to each student, acknowledging their progress. Capture these proud moments with photographs. Conclude the event with a small celebration, offering simple snacks like cookies or fruit. Optionally, invite the students' parents to share in this special recognition of their children's hard work and progress in math. Check out this teacher's fantastic ceremony for inspiration:
You can set up an “XtraMath Wall of Fame” in your classroom to track and display student progress visually. You can theme the board around different seasons or even student interests. This visual representation of their hard work can be incredibly motivating. Here are some examples of interactive math walls:
If XtraMath is part of the student’s homework, involving parents in their child's math progress can significantly increase student motivation. Guide parents on how to cheer on their kids at home. You can suggest this strategy to them:
Create an” XtraMath Passport”; this can be a simple notebook the parent creates. Each page represents a different milestone, winning trophies and certificates. Introduce a reward system where each milestone achieved gets a stamp or sticker on the XtraMath Passport. Parents can offer small rewards for each completed milestone, such as an extra half-hour of playtime, a favorite snack, or a small toy. Once a child completes their XtraMath Passport, organize a small celebration at home, this could be a family game night, a special meal, or a Certificate of Achievement signed by the parents.
By incorporating these strategies into your teaching, you can make math learning an engaging, enjoyable, and integral part of your students' educational journey. With creativity and consistent effort, you'll foster a positive attitude toward math and support the development of essential skills for your student's future success.
Jackeline Orcutt
Product Marketing Manager
