Math Made Easy: A Helpful Guide for Parents of Year 7 Students
Maths has always been a critical subject for students to learn. Being involved in your child’s education and knowing what they’re learning is very important, especially for this subject as it builds on itself year on year. Year 7 is when it starts to get into more complex concepts compared to primary school, where maths is often taught with little structure.
It’s the perfect time for parents to get involved in their kids’ education and support them at home. And we’ve all been there, feeling pressured to find a way of making it engaging and exciting for our children. By understanding the Australian curriculum’s basic structure, you can help them excel with their homework and build a strong foundation for their future success.
That being said, you can choose a year 7 textbook for maths to help kids boost their grades and confidence. Keep in mind that this is the first year they’re exposed to a dedicated maths textbook, so try to take the time to explore the layout together and get comfortable with the content.
Tips to Help Your Kid with Year 7 Maths
Read the Introduction Carefully
This is the most crucial part as it gives all the information needed for the chapter, the subtopics that will be covered and in what order. It is a key stage in learning as it will teach your kid to read the opening paragraph of every chapter instead of going straight to the questions and missing out on some important info that may help them see the ‘’bigger picture’’.
Pick Up on the Key Ideas
Usually, every subtopic begins with some new terminology and concepts. Students should learn to read, understand and summarise these ideas, which can help them focus on the key information in the year 7 maths books.
Let Them Correct Their Own Work
Check-Correct-Improve. This process lets students go back to the questions they’ve completed and check their work for mistakes. They can put ticks and crosses and if any mistake is found, they should try to find their way to the solution, re-do the question and write the correct answer.
Make Sure to Complete the Questions in the Chapter Review
To progress through the content, your child must complete all the questions in the chapter review. This way you can see how their learning goes, if there are any areas they may need to focus on and whether they require more support.
A Few More Ideas That Might Work
Create the Right Set Up for Learning and Keep It Organised
Choose a spot in your home that will be your kid’s place for studying and make sure to get all the needed learning materials organised. From their year 7 textbook for maths to their scientific calculator, pencils and more, have them all easily accessible and you will see how a little bit of organisation can go a long way in helping your kid stay on top of their learning process.
Encourage Your Child to Ask As Many Questions As They Want to
This is an important step in supporting your child’s maths learning. Encourage them to ask questions and answer them in a way that will help them to better understand the concepts they’re learning and see the value in them. Moreover, encourage them to ask themselves questions as they work through problems, so they will be more curious and engaged in the topic, which can be crucial for long-term success.
In recent years, year 7 maths has shifted towards problem-solving, critical thinking and application. Encouraging them to ask questions while learning new things is a great way to help them understand their thinking and apply their knowledge to new situations. If they’re struggling with particular areas of question types, work out where they’re getting stuck and tackle them together.
Plan a Study Schedule That Works for the Both of You
Creating a regular study schedule is a great way to help them maintain a routine and stay on top of their studies. Talk to them and choose a time of the day that works around their other commitments. Include regular breaks and keep it as flexible as possible, so they won’t feel pressured and stressed.
Final Thoughts
Learning is not limited to the classroom and the parental impact can make a big difference in your child’s educational path. Supporting them through year 7 maths can boost their confidence and passion for mathematics.
Even if you’re not a fan of maths, don’t let that show. Instead, try to make it seem more relevant and enjoyable to your kid by pointing out ways that it helps us out in everyday life, from coding for computers to keeping track of finances. If that doesn’t work, engage in entertainment content that explores the wonders of maths or a documentary about inspiring mathematicians such as Alan Turing.
And finally, always talk to them about what they are studying in school every day. Listening to their experiences will help you to support them in their journey and be there for them whenever they need it.
