The best way a grandparent, family member, or friend can help a child with math is valuing math and showing a positive attitude. Sadly, about 50% of Americans are afflicted with a strong distaste for math. Unfortunately, developing math anxiety … [Read more...]
Dr. Cotter on Fractions
December 4, 2018 by 1 Comment
Fractions have a bad reputation in the world of arithmetic as being incomprehensible and unpredictable. Cartoons exploit this fear of fractions for amusement. Believe or not, it’s all a huge misunderstanding. Fractions are necessary and amazing. They … [Read more...]
Dr. Cotter on Division
November 27, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Long division used to be considered the ultimate goal of arithmetic. An earlier division algorithm was so complicated it wasn’t taught until college. Even today some students learn a mnemonic in order to remember what to do next. One example is DMSB … [Read more...]
Dr. Cotter on Multiplication
November 13, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Multiplication has been the mathematical downfall of many children, not so much because of the algorithms, but memorizing the 100 facts. Before expecting the child to learn the facts, we need to teach the meaning of multiplication. Describing it as … [Read more...]
Dr. Cotter on Learning Disabilities
November 6, 2018 by Leave a Comment
Approximately one in ten students has a learning disability. For most of them, traditional methods of teaching math are a source of frustration and failure. They find rote memorization to be nearly impossible. Memorizing counting words, then facts, … [Read more...]
Dr. Cotter on Math Anxiety
October 30, 2018 by 3 Comments
Math anxiety can be thought of as a learned fear of numbers or anything to do with math. It results in feelings of tension and fear at the sight of numbers or math symbols, causing poor performance in math, especially on tests. Sadly, in the U.S., … [Read more...]
