Mathematics is considered one of the most important subjects for students right from an early age. It not only enhances their logical capabilities but also opens up various career possibilities later on. It is also one of the highest-scoring subjects so much so that students who perform well in mathematics increase their chances of better performance in academics overall. For the same reasons, teachers and parents often encourage students to take interest in mathematics, but a lot of times, mathematics can turn out to be a real headache for some students.
Being a subject that is highly objective wherein either a question is either right or wrong with no possibilities in between, mathematics is a subject that demands a clear rational and logical approach which also makes understanding this subject quite a task. However, this is not to be assumed that to understand this subject one needs an extraordinary brain. It is quite likely that a student may start liking this subject with proper guidance and a good strategy in place. If students start from an early grade level such as Class 5 in the right direction, they can go on to develop quite strong and reliable foundations in this subject, helping them ace in mathematics later on academically. Here are such tips that can help students of Class 5 to score good marks in mathematics, that too in a short period.
- Start from the basics
As already mentioned, mathematics is a subject that demands a complete and clear understanding of the concepts without which solving problems will be impossible. To score well, make sure that student knows the core idea of a concept well. Inculcate thinking and analysing, not memorising. Teachers/mentors can also encourage students to explain concepts that they have studied to their classmates which will allow them to reorganise the understanding of that particular concept in their minds in a way that is best suited for them. Remember, well-understood basics go a long way.
- Have a clear idea of the syllabus and the paper pattern
One of the most important aspects of preparing a subject from an exam-centric point of view is having a clear understanding of the syllabus and types of questions asked. Teachers/mentors can help students understand the syllabus in simple terms in a way that prepares them for the demands of the subject. Instead of simply reading out the topics and subtopics, it will be advised that students are provided with a holistic view of the syllabus which connects various topics. It will allow them to have a coherent understanding of the subject.
- Highlight formulas and related concepts for quick revision
Mathematics is a subject based on formulas. One of the most common problems that students face in maths is that they don’t remember formulas and related concepts. Thus, it is highly recommended that students are encouraged to highlight such formulas in a way that comes in handy during last minute revision.
- Practice, practice and practice!
In a subject like mathematics, practising as many problems and questions as one can is the most crucial piece of scoring well. A lot of books available in the market already include an ample amount of questions for students to solve which familiarises them with the variety of questions that can be asked in the exam. NCERT Books for Class 5 Maths are one such example of a great learning material that contain a variety of sample problems, also with easy and understandable solutions for students to take help from. Teachers/mentors, from their side, can also help students in maintaining the habit of the rigorous practice of solving questions for every concept by using as many sample problems as they can during teaching a particular concept.
- Begin with easier topics
Managing the order of studying various topics can also create a huge difference because when students start with easier topics that they grasp well will encourage them to take on relatively more challenging topics. It will also increase their self-confidence and positive attitude towards the subject.
- Group study helps
Teachers/mentors can create small study groups for their students wherein every member can help each other with individual doubts and shortcomings. This goes on to inculcate the feeling of competitiveness among students who will work harder to strive for better results.
- Make use of Flashcards/online learning tools
For all those tech-savvy teachers/mentors out there, there are a wide variety of online tools available which allows them to create interactive worksheets and lessons for students which not only makes the subject much more understandable but also interesting and fun to learn. Tricks like making flashcards for important formulas allow students to do a quick revision before the exam.
- Connect with real-life applications
Studying a subject without underlining a clear understanding of its real-life applications can be quite confusing and challenging, especially true for subjects like mathematics. Hence, to make students score better in maths, they should be explained each concept along with its real-life application. This will help them memorise the actual idea behind formulas and concepts they are learning which will boost up their problem-solving capabilities.
- Review errors
No preparation for a subject gets completed without the final analysis of strengths and weaknesses in that particular subject. Teachers/mentors should help students in understanding their weak areas and common errors which is a first step towards rectifying those errors. For this, they can have regular assessment sessions wherein each student is made aware of topics that they need to put the effort into.
- Time management
Last but not the least, for every student to fare better in any field, he/she must be efficient in managing his/her time. This becomes even more crucial when exams are just around the corner and they need to prioritise which topics to read more on according to their relevance in final exams.
In conclusion, mathematics is not a subject to be mugged up just before final exams but is the one that is to be learned over some time. Nonetheless, by making use of the tips mentioned above students of Class 5 and even beyond can increase their chances of better score fairly well.
