5 More Reasons Math is Difficult for Struggling Students

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In OG Math insight 3  we  explored 5 reasons that math is challenging for for struggling students. And yes, there are even more! Next we’ll look at 5 more reasons (#’s 6-10) that many math students struggle  in general classrooms and curriculums.

1. Learning and Unlearning

Mathematical ideas need to be learned and unlearned, or modified as the experiences of the learner’s progress. For example: seven minus five equals two. We often tell students in the early grades to always be sure to take the smaller number from the larger number in subtraction. But in fact they learn later in their schooling that we can take a larger number from a smaller number and the answer will be a negative integer. Technically this is not a new concepts, but without a clear understanding of either positive and negative numbers many student feel as though someone has “changed the rules”.Change is often difficult for many students who do not have a firm grasp of basic math concepts.

2. Complex Language Patterns

Math language is often very complex, a fact we often take for granted. The text may say, “Which number between 25 and 30 cannot be divided exactly by either 2 or 3?”  This word problem is from a fourth grade textbook. It can be challenging for many students to understand what is being asked in this question.

First, the question says “which numbers between 25 and 30”, so the student needs to understand that it is the numbers 26, 27, 28 and 29 that he needs to focus on. Then he needs to remember to find which of these numbers can be divided by 2, and then which numbers can be divided by 3. Finally, if he can still remember both the initial instructions and the division requirements, he will know that the answer is 29.The most common answer the students gave for this question was 25, likely because it is the most immediate and does not need to be held in their working memory.

3. Individualized Learning

 Individualized learning in a rigid program often deprives students of the opportunity to learn mathematics and verbalize their new understanding with others. It is not productive to simply place a student in a workbook that is at his level if the instruction is not adapted for the student’s needs and little interaction takes place.

4.  Verbalization and Interaction with Teachers and Peers

Verbalization and Interaction are  essential components for instruction that eliminate reliance on poor reading skills and wasted time waiting for individual feedback from the instructor. 

5. General demands for constant attention and focus in the classroom particularly in higher grades

 A vast amount of information is taught in middle school and high school math classes. The pace and amount of information is too intense for many students. If the student has difficulty with reading (dyslexia) or ADD as well as difficulty with math the problem is compounded.  We’ll explore the impact of math learning difficulties, dyslexia and dyscalculia in the next math insight.

For more information about OG Academic Math go to www.mathworkshops.com