Teaching maths is one of the most fulfilling jobs of a primary school teacher, but there are a few skills needed to be a great maths teacher. Basic maths skills are used throughout our lifetimes. Every day we compute sums, whether it’s the difference between the cost of a book on Amazon vs Ebay, or making a judgement on the space needed to parallel park, we rely on the skills we learn in maths all the time.
Which is why it is so important for teachers of mathematics to hone their skills in the teaching of the subject. Our list of skills that make a great maths teacher is a great place to start!
8 skills needed to be a maths teacher
- Maths subject knowledge
- Passion for the subject
- A lifelong learner
- Patience
- A problem solver
- Communication
- Modelling
- Humour
1. Maths subject knowledge
This might seem obvious, but especially for trainee teachers and NQTs, this skill can be easier said than done. To be an effective teacher of maths, it helps to be several steps ahead of your class in mathematical knowledge. Further than a few steps in fact, but at primary level, no one is expecting you to have a doctorate in mathematics.
A good subject knowledge not only helps calm any worries you might have about teaching the subject, it also helps to build trust with your class. Don’t worry, it’s okay not to know the answer to everything. Being honest with your class and admitting that you don’t know every now and again, help to teach them that you can and should still learn as an adult.
2. Passion for the subject
Passion is contagious and if you show passion for maths, your pupils are likely to follow suit. Of course, there will be some pupils who dislike maths, but if you show joy and enthusiasm for the subject, they’re much more likely to enjoy the lessons.
All the world’s a stage when it comes to teaching. Maths might not be your favourite, or you might be having a bad day, but it’s possible to fake it until you make it. Make your maths lessons enjoyable for you as well as the children and passion for the subject will follow.
3. A lifelong learner
If you commit yourself to being a lifelong learner, you can be successful in teaching any subject. It doesn’t matter if you do have a doctorate in maths, the methods of teaching maths are constantly changing and research in effective teaching is constantly revolutionising what happens in the classroom.
Keeping on top of your continuous professional development and committing yourself to always learning about the subjects you teach, including maths, will help to shape you into an outstanding teacher.
4. Patience
Maths anxiety is a very real affliction and is thought to affect a large proportion of the population. Approaching maths lessons with a good level of patience is important. It’s possible your first explanation of a concept will not be understood. It’s also possible your second, third or fourth also will flummox some pupils.
Most teachers are graced with incredible levels of patience, but your tolerance and faith in pupils will not only help their self-confidence, it won’t be forgotten. Adults remember the teachers that never gave up on them.
5. A problem solver
Maths is all about problem solving and if you have problem solving skills, it can really help your teaching of the subject. Aside from the fact that in your teaching of maths you must teach problem solving, it also come in handy when children aren’t understanding a particular concept. You’re often required to come up with weird and whacky ways of teaching complicated concepts and processes. This not only helps the initial understanding but can also be helpful in ensuring a depth of understanding.
6. Communication
Communication is integral to being a good teacher. It is helpful to be a good communicator before you enter the classroom, but it is definitely a skill you learn to hone during your training and first year of teaching.
You learn quickly that good communication is not only helpful when teaching maths, it also helps build those all-important pupil-teacher relationships.
7. Modelling
One of the best ways to embed a concept is to model. You’re up at the front of the class and you take your pupils through a mathematical equation, all the time verbalising your thought-processes. It’s one thing to demonstrate to pupils how to do a sum, it’s another to access those thoughts that you often race through and take for granted when working things out in the real world.
In the classroom, if you can slow down and verbalise your thought process as you take pupils through a sum, then you’re a great modeller and that will definitely benefit the pupils you teach.
8. Humour
Most teachers will say that humour goes a long way in teaching; they are not wrong. Laughing with pupils is one of the greatest joys of being a maths teacher and making lessons fun and enjoyable for everyone involved will help children remember what you teach them for years to come. And it helps you enjoy your job, too. Win, win!
https://blog.hope-education.co.uk
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What Are Math Teacher Skills? (With Examples And Tips)
Examples Of Math Teacher Skills
Some examples of essential math teacher abilities are as follows:
Cooperative learning
This is a teaching method in which educators create small groups of students and get them to work together to study and solve problems. This practical skill allows students to assess each other's strengths and weaknesses. It also allows them to support and encourage one another and develop better learning habits.
Assessment
This refers to the process of evaluating students' progress and assessing what they can learn further. Math teachers utilise this skill to determine a pupil's understanding of the subject during the class, develop lesson plans and review their assignments and homework. An effective teacher knows how to evaluate a student's progress and modify their teaching methods accordingly. This ability is also helpful in determining which areas the students find challenging so that educators can modify the curriculum to make it easier for them.
Analysis
Analytical skills allow teachers to evaluate a student's work and determine how much they understand certain concepts. With this ability, educators can decide the types of instruction that might be most effective for their pupils. It can also help them to determine whether a student requires extra help to improve in class.
Critical thinking
This is the ability to analyse a situation and find the best possible solution, and it is a vital skill for a math teacher when making lesson plans. As they develop these plans, they consider the aspects that are important for a student to know about, how to teach them effectively and how to utilise a class period to impart maximum knowledge. This ability is also beneficial when solving math problems, as it allows a teacher to determine which steps are necessary to solve it and which ones might be redundant.
Data analysis
Math teachers often make use of data analysis to not only evaluate the progress of a student but also to track their progress as an educator. This requires mathematical proficiency so that the teachers can read graphs, charts and other forms of data. This ability also includes interpreting information from raw numbers, so logical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential for these professionals.
Differentiated instruction
This refers to an educator's ability to adapt their teaching style and curriculum to meet the needs of all students in a classroom. It involves providing additional information and resources to the students who require extra support, adjusting assignments and challenging the advanced students through more complex material. By using this skill, you help every student progress in their mathematics learning journey and also provide them with equal learning opportunities.
How To Improve Your Math Teacher Skills?
Here are some steps to help you improve your skills as a math teacher:
Encourage students to speak openly. Encourage students to ask questions and let them know it is okay to be confused and curious. The more open you are about clarifying their doubts, the better they might learn.
Use real-world examples. Use relatable problems while teaching. By doing this, you can keep students more engaged during a lesson.
Create a positive learning environment. When teaching, create a positive attitude about the subject to help students feel at ease. Remind parents to follow this example outside of the classroom.
Gain feedback. Regularly ask your students, senior colleagues and supervisors to provide feedback on your performance and lessons in class. This can help you identify areas that are going well or aspects that need improving.
Learn from colleagues. Ask senior and experienced colleagues questions about how you can improve your skills as a math teacher. Modelling your behaviour after them might also be helpful.
Math Teacher Skills In The Workplace
Here is a list of tips you can use to demonstrate these skills in the workplace:
Be patient: Patience is a crucial skill for math teachers as the subject contains concepts that may not be easy for everyone to understand. By having patience, teachers can help their students through individualised instructions, enable them to learn at their own pace, motivate them and increase their confidence if they feel frustrated over not making quick progress.
Communicate effectively: When you can communicate effectively with your students, you can explain even challenging concepts to them simply and help them divide lesson into segments so they can remember it better. With good communication skills, you can also easily collaborate with other teachers on projects and assignments for the benefit of the pupils.
Create a solid schedule: As a math teacher, there are different lessons to cover within a given academic year, and you require proper time management skills to get through them all efficiently. You can create a schedule at the beginning of the school year so you can accomplish your tasks on time and provide the students with extra learning material that can help them perform better in their exams.
Manage your class competently: Irrespective of your student's age, they are bound to create disruptions when they sit collectively in a classroom. You can use your classroom management skills to maintain order and discipline in your class and encourage students to solve math problems efficiently.
Integrate technology into your lessons: While writing on a blackboard to explain a concept is acceptable, it is also vital that you use fun tools and technologies so that your students can retain information for a longer period of time. For example, you might consider asking them to play a video game where they solve math problems to advance through the different levels.
Stay enthusiastic: Being passionate and enthusiastic can encourage your students to enjoy the lessons. It is important to make lessons as fun as possible so students feel encouraged to attend your class and learn more about mathematical subjects.
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