how to start a maths assignment

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How to Start an Assignment

Last Updated: January 29, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Michelle Golden, PhD . Michelle Golden is an English teacher in Athens, Georgia. She received her MA in Language Arts Teacher Education in 2008 and received her PhD in English from Georgia State University in 2015. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 106,484 times.

Getting started on an assignment or homework can often times be the hardest step. Putting off the assignment can make the problem worse, reducing the time you have to complete the task and increasing stress. By learning how to get started and overcome the urge to procrastinate, you can get your assignments done on schedule and with less stress, opening up more free time.

Restructuring Your Assignment

• For example, you might research areas of a report that you find most interesting before moving on to other areas.
• If your math assignment has different types of questions, try doing those that you enjoy the most before moving on to the others.
• You might also try tackling smaller or easier tasks first so you can cross a few items off your list. Seeing that you've already made progress may help you feel motivated to continue.

• Promise yourself that you will meet your goal of working for five minutes on the assignment.
• Once you get started, you may find that you don't want to stop working. Otherwise, you can take a break and come back to the assignment, knowing you're at least five minutes closer to finishing than you were before.

• Try to set reasonable periods of time that you know you can meet. For example, you might set aside two hours on a Friday to dedicate to your assignment. If you don't have that much time all at once, try to carve out a few 20- or 30-minute blocks.
• You may or may not wish to continue working after your time limit has gone by.
• Have a realistic understanding of how fast you can write and plan your schedule accordingly.

• It can help to read the assignment as soon as you get it and then ask any questions you might have.
• If you're not sure if you understand the assignment, try rewriting it in your own words or explaining it to someone else. If you find you can't or have a lot of questions, you may need more information.
• You should have an overview of the assignment, understand the main task, and understand the technical and stylistic requirements.
• Look for important words in the instructions to understand the assignment. These words might include define, explain, compare, relate, or prove.
• Keep your audience in mind and write a paper that would best deliver information to them.

• Goals that are too big or not well defined can be difficult to start working towards.
• Smaller and well defined goals can seem easier to achieve than larger ones.
• For example, you could break a research paper down into several smaller tasks: 1) do preliminary research, 2) write an outline, 3) draft an introduction, 4) draft body paragraphs, 5) write conclusion, 6) revise. Each of these is much more do-able on its own.

Changing Your Focus

• You might want to go for a quick walk after working for a set amount of time.
• Try reading a website or book that you enjoy for a few minutes after working.
• Alternatively, try a quick burst of exercise before setting to work. Exercise releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins and can also help boost your memory. [8] X Research source

• Instead of dreading your work, focus on how good it will feel to make progress. You won't have it hanging over your head. You can actually enjoy the weekend instead of feeling guilty.
• Keeping your eye on long-term rewards can help you stay motivated to finish your assignment.

• Avoid moving your workspace constantly.
• Don't get lost on tangential research.
• Don't take constant breaks to get a snack.

• For every hour you waste procrastinating, you can limit how much television you watch that night.
• If you waste too much time procrastinating, you might deny yourself a favorite snack later on.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/solving-unsolvable-problems/201408/4-steps-stop-procrastinating
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/friendship-20/201405/the-surefire-first-step-stop-procrastinating
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/procrastination/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/understanding-assignments/
• ↑ https://open.alberta.ca/dataset/ab22ff64-3358-4387-9761-8c58878a6b84/resource/3ee38320-17e4-46f9-b24f-c95f9f345eb9/download/ipp7.pdf
• ↑ http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/08/07/how-exercise-can-help-us-learn/
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/happy-life.html

About This Article

To start an assignment, try working on the most enjoyable or easiest parts of the assignment first to get the ball rolling. Even if no part of the assignment seems enjoyable or easy, set a timer and try to make yourself work for at least 5 minutes, which is usually enough time to build momentum and overcome procrastination. You can also try breaking your assignment up into smaller, more manageable tasks and scheduling yourself regular breaks so it doesn't seem as overwhelming. To learn how to stay positive and avoid procrastination while working on your homework, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Top-Rated Tips From Experts For Writing A Maths Assignment

Mathematics Mastery: Trust Our Experts for Impeccable Assignment Writing, Ensuring Precision and Academic Excellence.

Writing a mathematics assignment is rewarding yet challenging, requiring precision, clarity, and a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. Navigating this academic challenge successfully can be exhaustive for students. Under this circumstance, consider the insights and tips our expert professionals share. These tips enhance your approach to creating high-quality and accurate math assignments.

From effective problem-solving strategies to the importance of clear communication, these expert-recommended guidelines offer a comprehensive framework for achieving excellence in math homework. Whether you're a student looking to improve your assignment skills or an educator guiding others through the process, incorporating these tips can elevate the quality and impact of your math assignments.

Mastering Math Assignments: Strategies for Success

Embracing the world of mathematics can be enjoyable and intellectually stimulating when approached with the right mindset. Here are some valuable tips to enhance your ability to solve math assignments efficiently.

Eliminate Distractions: Dedicate focused time to complete your math assignments, as they often involve multi-step problem-solving. Minimize distractions by putting away your phone and notifying others of your study plans. Seeking assistance from math assignment help services can provide expert guidance and support you require for math assignments.

Utilize Mathematical Tricks: Learn and apply quick mathematical tricks from your professors for calculations. You can also opt for assistance from a math assignment helper to ace different techniques. Familiarity with these tricks can significantly expedite the problem-solving of math writing assignment.

Thoroughly Read and Follow Instructions: Carefully read the instructions provided by your instructor before diving into the assignment. Use a notepad to jot down essential information and create an outline for a better understanding. Clearly articulate your problem-solving process, ensuring you address all aspects mentioned in the instructions.

Start with Challenging Problems: Prioritize your math problems based on difficulty and importance. Tackle the most challenging problems first and gradually work your way down. This approach ensures efficient utilization of your energy and time.

Take Regular, Short Breaks: Maintain concentration by taking short breaks to alleviate stress and prevent burnout. Breaks of 15 to 20 minutes allow you to recharge without losing focus on your assignments.

Study with a Friend: Collaborating with a study companion can provide motivation and a fresh perspective. Explaining concepts to each other enhances understanding and promotes effective learning.

Seek Expert Assistance: Don't hesitate to ask for help from experts at any stage of your assignment. Technology facilitates instant access to professionals who can assist with complex problems, ensuring academic success.

Practice Regularly: Building a strong foundation in mathematics requires consistent practice. Regular practice eases complex computations and explores various methods. It also helps you to analyze shortcuts for rapid problem-solving.

Common Worries About Math Assignments:

Understanding why students may struggle with math assignments is essential. Common reasons include:

Problems in Math Concept Understanding

Difficulty in understanding math arises from a combination of factors.

Some learners find the abstract nature of mathematical concepts challenging. Others face problems due to confusion from previously perceived knowledge. Most students acknowledged they often find it hard to visualize and relate math problems to real-world scenarios. Foundational knowledge gaps hinder comprehension. Effective math understanding requires a supportive learning environment, including several techniques that we have explained in the visual. These steps emphasize building a solid foundation for understanding and solving mathematical problems.

Challenges Due to Teaching

Students face diverse study challenges due to teaching methodologies. One of them is the lack of effective communication between educators and students. If teachers fail to articulate concepts clearly, students may struggle to grasp subject materials. Inadequate teacher-student interaction can hinder the resolution of doubts or concept clarification. Outdated teaching methods fail to engage students, resulting in a lack of interest and motivation to study. Effective teaching involves adapting to the diverse needs of students. It fosters a positive and interactive study environment for a better learning experience.

Inconsistency in Practice:

Inconsistency in practice poses a significant challenge in various contexts, ranging from skill development to routine tasks. Irregular practice can impede progress. Inconsistency in practicing new skills or habits can hinder the cultivation of expertise or the formation of positive routines. The key to overcoming this challenge is establishing and adhering to a consistent, structured practice regimen. By doing so, individuals can enhance their learning, skill acquisition, and personal growth, fostering a more sustainable and effective path toward mastery and success.

Quick Tips for Improved Math Skills

Enhance your arithmetic abilities and speed up problem-solving with these additional tips:

Master the Basics:

Proficiency in fundamental operations is crucial for tackling more advanced topics. It ensures a solid foundation by mastering the core principles of arithmetic.

Understand Concepts, Don't Memorize:

Focus on understanding the underlying concepts rather than memorizing procedures. It enables flexible problem-solving and a deeper grasp of mathematical principles.

Use Online Resources:

Explore online platforms offering interactive math exercises and tutorials. Math assignment help websites provide valuable resources for offering academic assistance.

Break Down Complex Problems:

Break down complex problems into smaller, manageable steps. This approach makes problem-solving more approachable and helps prevent feeling overwhelmed.

Teach Others:

Teaching a concept to someone else is an effective way to solidify your understanding. This process forces you to articulate ideas and reinforces your knowledge.

Seek Help When Needed:

Don't hesitate to ask for help when you encounter difficulties. Teachers, classmates, or online communities can provide valuable insights and clarification.

Review and Reflect:

Regularly review previously learned material and reflect on your progress. Identify areas of weakness and focus on reinforcing those concepts.

Utilize Educational Apps and Games:

Explore educational apps and games that make learning math enjoyable. These approaches can add an element of fun to your practice sessions.

In conclusion, assignments are integral to academic growth, and mastering math is a journey that requires dedication and effective time management. Seek assistance when needed, and you'll develop strong math skills with consistent practice.

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Studying Maths

Anita Frederiks and Rowena McGregor

Introduction

This chapter provides strategies to empower you to study maths in whatever form you encounter it at university. It begins by describing how maths and mathematical thinking is vital to many of the professions. It then discusses maths anxiety and presents six strategies for overcoming this common problem. Next, the chapter addresses how to approach studying maths in general, and how to approach a single module of work in maths, followed by a discussion of problem-solving and hints for success. It concludes with some tips for how to approach maths assessments. Altogether, the chapter will put you on the path to a successful encounter with maths at university.

WHO NEEDS MATHS?

Many professions are highly dependent on maths. Student scientists, engineers, and accountants may work with maths in every subject. Students in other disciplines may encounter one or more maths courses or assessments. Nursing and paramedics students will encounter medication calculations for example. Similarly, many students who wish to work in people-helping professions will need to be able to interpret statistics to ensure their approaches to problems and interventions are sound. This will include students of psychology, human services, and education. No matter your discipline, this chapter will help you approach the maths content in your courses with successful strategies and a positive attitude.

MATHS ANXIETY AND ITS IMPACT ON STUDYING MATHS

When studying maths, students often become anxious and start to overanalyse the maths content. Overanalysing can further elevate their anxiety and create difficulty in understanding the underpinning maths concepts.

The Australian Council of Educational Research (ACER) defines maths anxiety as “feelings of unease and worry experienced when thinking about mathematics or completing mathematical tasks” (Buckley, Reid, Goos, Lipp, & Thomson, 2016, p. 158). Maths anxiety causes people to have significant self-doubt in their ability to do maths, causing them great distress.

When a person has maths anxiety, their brain continually thinks about the anxiety rather than the actual maths problem. The brain allocates the working memory and other resources that it would normally use with computations of the maths problem to the anxiety itself, making it very difficult to learn or retain the relevant skills or information (Marshall, Staddon, Wilson, & Mann, 2017). Maths anxiety is highly prevalent. Sadly, between 25% to 80% of the college population in the United States of America has some form of maths anxiety and the percentage is likely to be similar in Australia, given the similarities in culture (Koch, 2018).

Symptoms and causes of maths anxiety

Maths anxiety can easily be identified. The symptoms of maths anxiety range from simple low confidence problems to more complex physical symptoms. If you experience the following, you may have maths anxiety:

• low confidence and negative thoughts such as “I am no good at maths”, “I won’t be able to do this”, “I am never going to understand this maths concept” (Department of Education, 2020).
• physical symptoms ranging from increased heart rate, increased breathing to a panic attack when thinking about or doing maths (Department of Education, 2020).

The symptoms of maths anxiety are triggered when doing maths or from the thought (anticipation) of doing maths. The level of anxiety will vary from person to person (Department of Education, 2020). While maths anxiety is common, it can be managed or resolved allowing you to succeed in your maths learning journey.

Strategies to reduce maths anxiety

You will be able to recognise when you are starting to feel stressed or anxious and having difficulty trying to complete maths problems. This could include avoiding maths classes, revision and assessment.  At this point, you could develop some methods to help you to relax and unwind. Some different strategies you may be able to use distraction techniques including reflecting on how you feel; leaving the room to do another activity for short periods of time; mindful breathing techniques (such as breathing in for a count of 5, and breathing out for a count of 7); or any other techniques you may already use for reducing anxiety.

It is also helpful to remind yourself of what you can do by returning to a problem that you can do before attempting the problem which caused the stress. More information about mental health resources (including sections on stress and anxiety) can be found in the chapter Successful Connections .

Maths anxiety can be managed in a positive way using six strategies. The strategies will need to be employed over time to see the results. Addressing your maths anxiety using these six strategies also allows you to study maths effectively.

Six strategies you can use to help reduce maths anxiety

Strategy 1: Create a safe, calm and comfortable study environment . When you are in a comfortable environment, you have more scope to use your working memory to understand the maths concepts as it is not occupied with the distractions of a busy or stressful environment.

Strategy 2: Check your self-talk and beliefs about your ability to do maths. Self-efficacy is the belief that we are capable of successfully performing a task, for example studying maths. Self-efficacy influences your confidence and likelihood of success. Changing any negative thoughts about maths to positive thoughts will greatly increase the likelihood of succeeding in maths. For example, if you catch yourself thinking, “I can’t do this”, try to tell yourself “I can do this!” Similarly, if you tell yourself “I am no good at maths”, remind yourself that, “I can improve at maths”.

Strategy 3: Keep up with your coursework. Maths courses tend to build on concepts over the course, so skipping classes or homework makes it very difficult to learn work presented later in the term. Completing your work in order each week will also give your brain the time it needs to make mental maps of the concepts, and store these in your working memory. Memorising or “cramming” does not help you with learning maths effectively, and thus should be avoided.

Strategy 4: Show all the processes (the ‘full working’) as you practice maths problems. When practising the maths concepts with the full working, you are storing these processes in your working memory. This allows you to make a mental map of the concept and increases your understanding of that concept. It also allows your brain to form the connection of where and how to apply the maths concept. This allows for easier recall and application of the process. Your setting out will become automatic, for example, aligning your equal signs throughout the problem using the correct symbols and notations, and adding text to explain what you are doing (See Figure 5.3). When these become automatic, you won’t have to worry about them in your assessment. Practising with all the process will also help you to identify what you don’t understand and know when to seek help.

Strategy 5: Seek help as soon as the need arises. Asking for help can be difficult. However, to succeed with maths (and overcome maths anxiety), it is important that you approach your teaching team (or other maths support services) to seek assistance. Your teaching or university maths support team has extensive experience and can help you by breaking down the concepts into smaller and simpler processes that are easier to understand. You may also have access to peer-facilitated study groups and these can be an excellent source of practical help and encouragement.

Strategy 6: Use timed practice. Timed practice models what you will need to do during a timed assessment item, such as an exam. You will collect or create some problems, then set a timer and work through as many of the problems as you can in this time. Practising in a similar, but less pressured environment than an exam can help you to overcome your anxiety of doing maths in timed situations. Using timed practice can build your confidence in completing different maths questions and build your speed in applying the concepts.

The use of the six strategies will increase your confidence and help you to form good mental maps within your working memory. Over time, this will reduce your maths anxiety and break down the associated barriers that make studying maths more difficult than it needs to be.

FOCUS ON UNDERSTANDING THE PROCESS

The strategies presented to help reduce maths anxiety are good practice for any student learning maths. To be successful in maths, you will also need to understand the process used for solving maths problems. That means you need to understand why the process works. Understanding the process will help you to remember how to do the maths. To develop understanding, revise and rewrite calculations that you are shown in lectures or tutorials. Things always look easier when someone else is showing you how to do it, compared to when you try at home on your own! Rewriting the steps will make it easier to complete different questions and you will have good notes for revision.

Understanding the process also gives you some flexibility when approaching maths problems. Sometimes there may be more than one method for coming to the right answer. If you understand the processes, you will be able to identify the most effective method to complete the question and then apply it. If a question doesn’t specify a particular method to use to solve the problem, you can also choose a method that suits you best.

APPROACHES FOR STUDYING EACH MODULE

Now that you have some strategies for combatting maths anxiety, and studying maths effectively, you can begin your maths journey at university with a positive mindset. We will now discuss how to study maths, module by module. But, what are modules ? Some degrees will have entire courses that focus on maths, such as Fundamental Statistics, Foundation Mathematics, or Algebra and Calculus. Within these courses, the maths concepts are broken up into smaller segments for you to study, often known as modules. Modules allow you to look at one new concept at a time and gradually build your knowledge, experience and confidence. When beginning a new module, try these approaches to make your maths study more manageable:

• Work out what the module is about and what you are expected to learn. Before you start any exercises, scan the entire module and check the learning objectives for a summary of what to expect.
• Start at the beginning of the module, reading through the text and examples. When you come to an activity, attempt the questions yourself. This will help you to learn the formulae and when and how to apply them, thus developing your problem-solving techniques. It will also give you an idea of what you know and where you need to focus.
• Do not skip over any of the study materials. Maths is an iterative process, you will need to develop strong foundations and repeatedly revisit and build upon these foundations.
• Summarise the module as you work through it. List any new formulae and problem-solving techniques and take note of anything that you do not understand so you can seek assistance.
• Talk about your maths. It is amazing how problems can be clarified by talking with somebody. You can do this with friends, work colleagues, at tutorials (in person or online) or through course discussion forums or groups.
• Ensure that you have a complete understanding of the topic that you are studying. If you cannot understand a topic, look for alternative resources that may explain it in a different way, contact the teaching team, or university maths support team.
• Contact your teaching team or university maths support team for help if you get stuck. Do this as soon as you have a problem so that you can move on with your studies, and not get behind. Check to see if your university has any maths support services, for example, learning advisors, tutors or peer mentoring programs. Knowing in advance what help is available and how to access it can save precious time and help prevent a small issue from becoming something worse over the course of your studies.

STRATEGIES FOR PROBLEM SOLVING

In many ways, maths is like solving a puzzle, where a question is posed, and you must find the answer. At the heart of this process is what we call problem-solving skills. Problem-solving questions are typically the worded questions you find in the application sections of your materials, or in your assignments. Problem-solving skills are something that can be practised and developed to make you more confident and capable with your maths. Most people find problem-solving difficult, and as such, it is an area they need to spend time developing. Here are some tips to help develop your skills:

• Read the question or problem carefully and identify what you are expected to find.
• Determine whether any of the information is not needed for solving the problem.
• Express the relevant information in mathematical terms, defining any variables that you are given and noting any special conditions.
• Break down the problem into smaller parts.
• Estimate the answer to the part of the problem that you cannot solve yet and proceed from there.
• Decide which of the skills or techniques you have learnt in the course could be applied to solve the problem.
• Apply the technique that you think will solve this problem. Try a different technique if the first did not work.
• Check that your answer makes sense to the problem.

Even if things haven’t gone quite right, there are problem-solving strategies you can use to help put yourself back on the right path. You can:

• Check that you copied down everything correctly.
• Scan for errors in your calculations.
• Look back at your working and answers to similar questions.
• Start with a fresh page where you cannot see what you have done previously.
• Read the question aloud and slowly.
• Leave the problem for tomorrow (but don’t leave it too long).
• Ask for help from your teaching team, university maths support team, study group, or whatever other maths support might be available to you.

MAKING THE MOST OF HELP

Sometimes students need assistance with maths. As discussed, getting help is both a successful strategy for managing maths anxiety and a problem-solving strategy. Here are some suggestions to maximise the benefits of the help you have available:

• Be specific as to what you don’t understand — you do not want the tutor to cover areas where you do not need help. Being specific about what you need will likely save you some time.
• Attempt to solve the problem(s) yourself first and have your working available so that the tutor can discuss it with you. This will develop your problem-solving skills because you will have thought through the problem. It will also show where your understanding is lacking and where you became stuck.
• Attempt similar problems from the study materials or other textbooks/websites that have answers provided, so that you can discuss your problems with the tutor rather than requiring tuition in the basic concepts. This can help tailor the support to your specific needs.
• Be organised and specific. Make a written list of problems that need clarifying, including page numbers in the text, along with your working.

TIPS FOR MATHS ASSESSMENT

After you have studied the modules, you will need to complete some assessment. This section provides hints and tips for your assignments and exams.

Maths Assignments

When studying maths, it is essential to develop regular study patterns. Often your tutorial questions will help you to develop the skills needed in your assignments, so do not leave your maths study until just before an assignment is due.

When undertaking a maths assignment, you must express yourself clearly both in English and mathematics. Many students think that doing maths just involves ‘doing the sums.’ However, ‘doing the sums’ is only one part of doing and being involved in maths. In fact, it doesn’t matter how good you are at doing these sums if you cannot communicate your answers or solutions with others. Remember – in your career, you must be able to convince your colleagues or clients that your answer is the appropriate one. Therefore, communicating is just as important in maths as it is in all other subject areas.

Finally, you need to allow adequate time to present your assignment. Just like your other assignments, you need to complete a rough draft and then prepare a final ‘good’ copy. Your markers are looking for assignments that are neat, tidy, with the maths formatted correctly, and with logical, well documented communication (mathematical and English). This could be as simple as following the guides for best practice for maths notation, such as aligning equal signs, centring equations on the page, defining any variables you have used including their units. Your textbooks and study modules are a good guide to how your lecturers are expecting you to format your assignments.

Maths Exams

The best preparation for exams is to work consistently through the semester (or other study period) and keep up to date with the recommended study schedules provided to you in your courses. This includes working through suggested questions and tutorial questions. Practising maths regularly will develop your skills, confidence, and fluency. Practising your setting out will help you to automatically set your work out neatly in the exam.

In the weeks and days prior to the exam, you might like to use these preparation techniques for maths exams:

• Review the information about spaced practice in the chapter Preparing for Exams to maximise your exam preparation.
• As you have been practising your maths throughout the course, you won’t need to cram the night before the exam. See additional information on cramming in the chapter Preparing for Exams.
• Review your notes (and worked examples) and make a concise list of key concepts and formulae. Make sure you know these formulae and more importantly, how to use them.
• Work through your tutorial problems again (without looking at the solutions). Don’t just read over them. Working through problems will help you to remember how to do them.
• Work through any practice or past exams which have been provided to you. You can also make your own practice exam by finding problems from your course materials. See the Practice Testing section in the chapter Preparing for Exams for more information.
• When working through practice exams, give yourself a time limit. Don’t use your notes or books. Treat it like the real exam.
• For those who suffer maths anxiety—practice any breathing or other techniques that help you to reduce or manage the anxiety.
• Finally, try to get a good night’s sleep before the exam so you are well rested and can concentrate when you take the exam.

Further details about preparing for a maths exam can be found in the chapter Types of Exams .

During your exams, remember to set out and communicate your maths in a way that the marker can follow. Normally the marker is not looking for perfection, but that you have used the correct methods (processes). Once again, communicating what you are doing is just as important as completing the actual calculations.

If you experience maths anxiety, be aware that it may be heightened during timed exams so you will need to remember your strategies for managing it.

Maths is an integral part of university study, regardless of which discipline you are studying. This chapter identified the value of studying maths and provided strategies to help students manage maths anxiety. It also presented methods for approaching studying maths in general, how to study single modules, hints for success in problem solving and concluded with tips for how to approach maths assessments. Equipped with these tips and strategies, you are ready to learn and work successfully with maths in your university studies.

• Maths is an important part of the learning journey.
• The study of maths trains your brain to think logically, accurately, and carefully.
• Maths anxiety is something everyone may experience at different stages in their university studies. The six strategies to help you manage it are: Creating a safe, calm and comfortable environment in which to study, developing positive self-efficacy for maths, practising maths (including all working), seeking help when required, timed practice and understanding the process.
• When seeking help, show your tutor your attempt to solve the problem(s) (with your working) so that they can discuss it with you. This will give you the most tailored support.
• Develop your problem-solving skills to help with applying the concepts in different situations, including assessments.
• Present your maths logically with full working and communication in your assignments.

Buckley, S., Reid, K., Goos, M., Lipp, O., & Thomson, S. (2016). Understanding and addressing mathematics anxiety using perspectives from education, psychology and neuroscience. Australian Journal of Education, 60 (2), 157-170. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004944116653000

Department of Education. (2020). Mathematics anxiety . State Government of Victoria. https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/maths/Pages/research_overcomingmathsanxiety.aspx

Koch, I. (2018). Mathematics anxiety: Students, pre- and in-service teachers.  Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute. https://amsi.org.au/?publications=maths-anxiety-students-pre-and-in-service-teachers

Marshall, E., Staddon, R., Wilson, D., & Mann, V. (2017). Addressing mathematics anxiety and engaging students with mathematics within the curriculum. MSOR Connections, 15 (3), 28-35. doi:https://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v15i3.555

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to acknowledge Akshay Sahay who contributed to the previous version of this chapter.

Academic Success Copyright © 2021 by Anita Frederiks and Rowena McGregor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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College Algebra

Unit 1: linear equations and inequalities, unit 2: graphs and forms of linear equations, unit 3: functions, unit 4: quadratics: multiplying and factoring, unit 5: quadratic functions and equations, unit 6: complex numbers, unit 7: exponents and radicals, unit 8: rational expressions and equations, unit 9: relating algebra and geometry, unit 10: polynomial arithmetic, unit 11: advanced function types, unit 12: transformations of functions, unit 13: rational exponents and radicals, unit 14: logarithms.

Need Assignment Help - Blog

Whenever students get a Mathematics assignment from their universities, they get so worried just because of the word “mathematicsâ€. Mathematics can be a nightmare for some students. Most of the students find it so difficult and complex due to its lengthy formulas and concepts like trigonometry , probability , geometry , algebra , calculus and analysis , logic,  and various other topics. Mathematics assessments are provided by the professors to generate knowledge about the topics and the subjects, by this they can get some overview of the subject by researching the topics that can enhance their research skills as well.

However, it has been observed that most undergraduates can’t write accurate assignments because they are properly not aware of the research methodology, referencing styles, and format of writing a Mathematics assignment . In such cases, students look for expert help who can guide them to write an error-free assignment and allow them to score A+ in their academic year.

4 Steps to Write a Math Assignment

Honestly speaking, there is no fixed or particular format for writing the mathematics assignment. But with the help of such points, can easily write their assignments. If in case, they have any trouble with the assignment they can contact NeedAssignmentHelp anytime and anywhere.

Now without wasting time, we would like to highlight some points that can help you write your mathematics assignments without any woes and worries:-

• Students must read the professor’s instructions carefully to understand the base of the topic (if in case the topic was not provided by the lecture, search for the relevant topic that can easily be read and written by you). Sometimes universities provide guidelines on their websites or university portals, so make sure to go through that portal where you can find the instructions in the form of pdf or Word format.
• After getting the instruction file, go through all the mentioned points and sub-points. These instructions can be proven as very beneficial for the students to learn how to frame their assignments, what points, and what theory they need to write or not. For example, if your teacher assigned you an Algebra topic the points and facts you need to add are like-  types of algebra (elementary, abstract, linear, boolean, computer, and commutative algebra) uses of different formulas (law of exponents, the root of quadratic equations).
• Students can also take some referencing from their textbook or any other online mode of information. Do accurate and relevant research for your topic that will help you to write flawless assignments. Go through the previous year’s research paper that was uploaded by the researchers. Make sure the sites that you visit are only reliable sites. There are various spam websites present on the internet that are useless and can use your data without consent.  So be very careful while you are researching on the internet.
• After the completion of the above-mentioned points, start writing your mathematics assignment without any fear or pressure. Make sure that you use proper examples and if required any theorem, please define that theorem with a good explanation. Using an appropriate example can attract your professor’s attention and make a good impact on them.

Some Popular Assignment Topics of Mathematics Subject

Here are some mathematics assignment topics that are frequently assigned to students by their respective universities. By these topics, students can get a rough idea of what points h/se need to write in their chosen or assigned topics:-

• Discrete mathematics
• Introduction to mathematical modeling
• Linear algebra
• Theory of optimization
• Matrix analysis
• Numerical analysis
• Differential calculus
• Pre-algebra
• Statistics and probability

Problem Faced by Students While Writing an Assignment

Mathematical topics are already a bit complicated and complex. Most of the students can’t deal with the huge formulas and the mathematical operations. Sometimes students forget to follow the prescribed guidelines of the professor and hence stuck in the research and writing part of the subject. The Internet is loaded with various sites that give different information on a single topic, which creates a sense of confusion among undergraduates. Lack of interest in the subject is also the main reason for the poor quality of work in the assignments and projects. Most of the students are stuck in the different types of theorems that are used in a subject like Pythagoras, Binomial, Ceva’s, Apollonius, fundamental theorem of calculus, factor, and other various theorems.

How NeedAssignmentHelp can Remove Student’s Stress?

We have a team of professional mathematicians writers from various prominent universities around the world. They are widely known for their best Mathematics Assignment Help . They are very well aware of the concepts, theorems, and other aspects of the assignments. They write your mathematics assignment proficiently and without any plagiarism. We also provide you with 24/7 WhatsApp support through which you can contact us freely. Leave all your stress behind and let the best experts do your work within the given deadline.

Centralized computing refers to a model where computing resources are located at a central point and serve multiple end-users. Initially, independent computer systems were used, which later evolved into interconnected systems known as centralized computing. Over time, advancements in networking technology have facilitated centralized computing’s growth and integration into various industries

A centralized computing system typically consists of a central server or servers that fulfill the computing needs of multiple users. These systems often have a single point of control and potential failure, but they can provide efficient resource utilization and centralized management. Connectivity between the central system and remote locations is crucial for effective operation.

The future of centralized computing may involve advancements in network infrastructure, cloud computing technologies, and decentralized alternatives such as blockchain. Challenges include addressing security concerns, optimizing network performance, and balancing centralization with decentralization to meet evolving needs.

Centralized computing drives innovation by enabling collaborative research, data analysis, and resource sharing. It supports the development of new technologies in fields such as robotics, aerospace engineering, telecommunications, and finance, driving progress and efficiency in diverse sectors.

Centralized computing aids in predicting natural disasters, coordinating emergency responses, and facilitating communication during crises. By centralizing resources and data, organizations can streamline emergency preparedness efforts and mitigate the impact of disasters.

• Environment
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• Accounting and Financing
• Computer Science
• Social Science
• News and Information
• Thesis Help
• Mathematics
• Engineering
• Essay Writing
• Dissertation
• Days & Events
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• Assignment Help

How to Write a Perfect Assignment: Step-By-Step Guide

Table of contents

• 1 How to Structure an Assignment?
• 2.1 The research part
• 2.2 Planning your text
• 2.3 Writing major parts
• 3 Expert Tips for your Writing Assignment
• 4 Will I succeed with my assignments?
• 5 Conclusion

How to Structure an Assignment?

To cope with assignments, you should familiarize yourself with the tips on formatting and presenting assignments or any written paper, which are given below. It is worth paying attention to the content of the paper, making it structured and understandable so that ideas are not lost and thoughts do not refute each other.

If the topic is free or you can choose from the given list — be sure to choose the one you understand best. Especially if that could affect your semester score or scholarship. It is important to select an  engaging title that is contextualized within your topic. A topic that should captivate you or at least give you a general sense of what is needed there. It’s easier to dwell upon what interests you, so the process goes faster.

To construct an assignment structure, use outlines. These are pieces of text that relate to your topic. It can be ideas, quotes, all your thoughts, or disparate arguments. Type in everything that you think about. Separate thoughts scattered across the sheets of Word will help in the next step.

Then it is time to form the text. At this stage, you have to form a coherent story from separate pieces, where each new thought reinforces the previous one, and one idea smoothly flows into another.

Main Steps of Assignment Writing

These are steps to take to get a worthy paper. If you complete these step-by-step, your text will be among the most exemplary ones.

The research part

If the topic is unique and no one has written about it yet, look at materials close to this topic to gain thoughts about it. You should feel that you are ready to express your thoughts. Also, while reading, get acquainted with the format of the articles, study the details, collect material for your thoughts, and accumulate different points of view for your article. Be careful at this stage, as the process can help you develop your ideas. If you are already struggling here, pay for assignment to be done , and it will be processed in a split second via special services. These services are especially helpful when the deadline is near as they guarantee fast delivery of high-quality papers on any subject.

If you use Google to search for material for your assignment, you will, of course, find a lot of information very quickly. Still, the databases available on your library’s website will give you the clearest and most reliable facts that satisfy your teacher or professor. Be sure you copy the addresses of all the web pages you will use when composing your paper, so you don’t lose them. You can use them later in your bibliography if you add a bit of description! Select resources and extract quotes from them that you can use while working. At this stage, you may also create a  request for late assignment if you realize the paper requires a lot of effort and is time-consuming. This way, you’ll have a backup plan if something goes wrong.

Planning your text

Assemble a layout. It may be appropriate to use the structure of the paper of some outstanding scientists in your field and argue it in one of the parts. As the planning progresses, you can add suggestions that come to mind. If you use citations that require footnotes, and if you use single spacing throughout the paper and double spacing at the end, it will take you a very long time to make sure that all the citations are on the exact pages you specified! Add a reference list or bibliography. If you haven’t already done so, don’t put off writing an essay until the last day. It will be more difficult to do later as you will be stressed out because of time pressure.

Writing major parts

It happens that there is simply no mood or strength to get started and zero thoughts. In that case, postpone this process for 2-3 hours, and, perhaps, soon, you will be able to start with renewed vigor. Writing essays is a great (albeit controversial) way to improve your skills. This experience will not be forgotten. It will certainly come in handy and bring many benefits in the future. Do your best here because asking for an extension is not always possible, so you probably won’t have time to redo it later. And the quality of this part defines the success of the whole paper.

Writing the major part does not mean the matter is finished. To review the text, make sure that the ideas of the introduction and conclusion coincide because such a discrepancy is the first thing that will catch the reader’s eye and can spoil the impression. Add or remove anything from your intro to edit it to fit the entire paper. Also, check your spelling and grammar to ensure there are no typos or draft comments. Check the sources of your quotes so that your it is honest and does not violate any rules. And do not forget the formatting rules.

with the right tips and guidance, it can be easier than it looks. To make the process even more straightforward, students can also use an assignment service to get the job done. This way they can get professional assistance and make sure that their assignments are up to the mark. At PapersOwl, we provide a professional writing service where students can order custom-made assignments that meet their exact requirements.

Expert Tips for your Writing Assignment

Want to write like a pro? Here’s what you should consider:

• Save the document! Send the finished document by email to yourself so you have a backup copy in case your computer crashes.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to complete a list of citations or a bibliography after the paper is finished. It will be much longer and more difficult, so add to them as you go.
• If you find a lot of information on the topic of your search, then arrange it in a separate paragraph.
• If possible, choose a topic that you know and are interested in.
• Believe in yourself! If you set yourself up well and use your limited time wisely, you will be able to deliver the paper on time.
• Do not copy information directly from the Internet without citing them.

Writing assignments is a tedious and time-consuming process. It requires a lot of research and hard work to produce a quality paper. However, if you are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty understanding the concept, you may want to consider getting accounting homework help online . Professional experts can assist you in understanding how to complete your assignment effectively. PapersOwl.com offers expert help from highly qualified and experienced writers who can provide you with the homework help you need.

Will I succeed with my assignments?

Anyone can learn how to be good at writing: follow simple rules of creating the structure and be creative where it is appropriate. At one moment, you will need some additional study tools, study support, or solid study tips. And you can easily get help in writing assignments or any other work. This is especially useful since the strategy of learning how to write an assignment can take more time than a student has.

Therefore all students are happy that there is an option to  order your paper at a professional service to pass all the courses perfectly and sleep still at night. You can also find the sample of the assignment there to check if you are on the same page and if not — focus on your papers more diligently.

So, in the times of studies online, the desire and skill to research and write may be lost. Planning your assignment carefully and presenting arguments step-by-step is necessary to succeed with your homework. When going through your references, note the questions that appear and answer them, building your text. Create a cover page, proofread the whole text, and take care of formatting. Feel free to use these rules for passing your next assignments.

When it comes to writing an assignment, it can be overwhelming and stressful, but Papersowl is here to make it easier for you. With a range of helpful resources available, Papersowl can assist you in creating high-quality written work, regardless of whether you’re starting from scratch or refining an existing draft. From conducting research to creating an outline, and from proofreading to formatting, the team at Papersowl has the expertise to guide you through the entire writing process and ensure that your assignment meets all the necessary requirements.

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Introduction to Algebra

Algebra is great fun - you get to solve puzzles!

What is the missing number?

OK, the answer is 6, right? Because 6 − 2 = 4 . Easy stuff.

Well, in Algebra we don't use blank boxes, we use a letter (usually an x or y, but any letter is fine). So we write:

It is really that simple. The letter (in this case an x) just means "we don't know this yet", and is often called the unknown or the variable .

And when we solve it we write:

Why Use a Letter?

• it is easier to write "x" than drawing empty boxes (and easier to say "x" than "the empty box").
• if there are several empty boxes (several "unknowns") we can use a different letter for each one.

So x is simply better than having an empty box. We aren't trying to make words with it!

And it doesn't have to be x , it could be y or w ... or any letter or symbol we like.

How to Solve

Algebra is just like a puzzle where we start with something like "x − 2 = 4" and we want to end up with something like "x = 6".

But instead of saying " obviously x=6", use this neat step-by-step approach:

• Work out what to remove to get "x = ..."
• Remove it by doing the opposite (adding is the opposite of subtracting)
• Do that to both sides

Here is an example:

To remove it, do the opposite , in this case add 2

Do it to both sides

Which is ...

Why did we add 2 to both sides?

To "keep the balance"....

Just remember this:

See this in action at the Algebra Balance Animation .

Another Puzzle

What we want is an answer like "x = ...", but the +5 is in the way of that! We can cancel out the +5 with a −5 (because 5−5=0)

Have a Try Yourself

Now practice on this Simple Algebra Worksheet and then check your answers. Try to use the steps we have shown you here, rather than just guessing!

Try the questions below, then read Introduction to Algebra - Multiplication

Before you go, check this out!

We have lots more on the site to show you. You've only seen one page. Check out this post which is one of the most popular of all time.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Structuring a Math Lesson Plan

As a math teacher, I discovered that teaching math could be a challenging task, as it requires a structured approach to ensure that students understand the concepts taught. The truth is math is considered to be one of the most challenging subjects by many students, but I believe that mathematics shouldn’t be as complicated as many students find it to be.

As a teacher, we have the power to make math fun and accessible for all learners; and it all starts with how you structure your math lesson plan. With a well-organized lesson plan, you can create an engaging and effective learning experience for your students.

In this blog post, I will guide you through how I structure my math lesson plan, from setting your learning objectives to selecting instructional strategies and assessing student progress. You might also enjoy reading: 7 Every day online math resources for teachers .

Table of Contents

What Is a Lesson Plan?

A lesson plan is a teacher’s road map of what students must learn and how it will be accomplished effectively during class. Generally, a lesson plan includes the learning objectives (what students need to know), how the learning objectives will be effectively achieved (the method of delivery and procedure), and a way to assess how well the learning objectives were reached (typically through homework assignments, exit ticket, or testing).

A successful lesson plan should include three fundamental components:

• Learning Objectives.
• Learning activities.
• Assessment to assess for student understanding.

And I believe that math lesson plans are an essential tool for us teachers because they provide us with a blueprint for how we will teach, what materials we will use, and how we will assess our students’ understanding.

Why Is a Lesson Plan Necessary For Maths?

A lesson plan is essential because it helps students and teachers understand the learning objectives. A well-designed lesson plan keeps us teachers focused and helps students know what they need to learn, how it will be delivered, and how the learning objectives will be measured. 

In a study where students were given a challenging task to activate their thinking around equivalence and patterns, the teachers reported that the lesson succeeded in student learning and contributed to the class discussion.

What Makes an Effective Maths Lesson Plan?

• Opening : Where you introduce your learning objectives
• Body : delivering the main activities
• Closing the lesson : Summary and check for your students’ understanding of the learning objectives
• 9 Exciting Smartboard Activities for Kindergarten in Math .
• Get Ready to Challenge Your Brain With Math Puzzles .
• Top 9 Sites for Easy and Printable Math Puzzles .
• Keep your lesson plans relevant : Even when a teacher explains maths, some children may still don’t understand. I generally use examples that are relevant to my students. In your maths lesson, I encourage you to develop maths activities that relate to real-life problems and their day-to-day lives.

How Do You Write a Structure For a Lesson Plan?

Structuring a math lesson plan is critical in creating successful learning experiences for your students. By setting your learning objectives, planning your maths activities, preparing your materials, assessing student understanding, and reflecting and revising your lesson plan, you can create a structured approach that ensures students learn the required math concepts effectively.

Remember that effective math lesson plans evolve over time through continued reflection and revision. Here is a step-by-step guide to structuring a math lesson plan:

Step 1: Identify the learning objective

I believe that the first step in structuring a math lesson plan is to determine what you want your students to learn. Setting learning objectives means determining what skills and concepts your students will be learning or practicing during the lesson. Generally, learning objectives provide the framework for the lesson, guiding what instructional strategies to use and how to assess student understanding.

As you’re deciding on your objective, keep in mind the level of your students and any prior knowledge they may have in the subject.

I encourage you to ensure that your learning objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound using SMART goal setting.

For instance, instead of stating that the students will be able to ‘read a graph,’ a more specific objective could be, ‘students will be able to interpret data from a line graph and use it to make predictions.’

The table below includes the main characteristics of effective learning objectives:

Step 2: Plan your lesson activities

Once you have identified the learning objective for your students, it is time to plan out the activities for the lesson.

I encourage you to vary the types of activities to keep your students engaged and interested, including using visual aids, manipulatives, interactive technology, or group work.

You can also use other strategies, including direct instruction, problem-based learning, collaborative learning, and visual learning. I suggest you consider factors such as your students’ age and learning level, the materials at your disposal, and the time available.

For instance, I found that problem-based learning may work well for high school students and more extended lesson times, while direct instruction may work best for younger students and shorter lesson blocks.

The table below includes examples of class learning activities for a mathematics class:

Step 3: Anticipate and address student misconceptions

Misconceptions are a common challenge in math lessons, but they don’t have to derail the learning experience. To prepare for potential misconceptions, I suggest you think about where students might get stuck or misunderstand the concepts. In your lesson plan, plan out how you will address these misconceptions and ensure that all students understand the content.

Before the lesson begins, I also encourage you to ensure you have all the materials you need to conduct the lesson effectively. These materials may include textbooks, workbooks, calculators, models, and other manipulatives.

I recommend you look at the purpose of each material and ensure that it aligns with your learning objectives and instructional strategies. Additionally, ensure that your materials are accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, if possible.

Step 4: Assess student understanding

Assessment is an integral part of any lesson, as it ensures that students have understood the concepts taught.

I encourage you to plan out how you will assess your students’ understanding, be it through formative assessments (quizzes, exit tickets, etc.) or summative assessments (tests), as it will help you adjust your lesson plan as necessary and to provide helpful feedback to your students.

I believe that assessing your students’ learning is crucial in measuring the effectiveness of your math lesson plan. Consider using various assessment methods, such as formative and summative assessments, performance assessments, and diagnostics.

Typically, formative assessments include quizzes, problem sets, and verbal feedback, while summative assessments may include tests or exams.

I suggest you make sure that your assessments align with your learning objectives and instructional strategies and communicate the assessment criteria to your students.

Step 5: Reflect And Revise The Math Lesson Plan

Finally, the last step is to reflect on your lesson plan and assess any changes that need to be made. At this step, I suggest you consider the feedback you receive from your students provide and adjust your lesson plan accordingly to make your teaching experience better in the future.

I encourage you to look at your assessments, instructional strategies, and the materials used to teach. Additionally, I suggest you ask yourself what went well and what needs improvement and revise your lesson plan appropriately.

Continual reflection and revision are essential for developing successful math lesson plans that work best for your students. Check out these math lesson planning guides shared by the Colorado Department of Education .

What to read next:

• Are High School Math Teachers In Demand? (Yes, and here’s why!)
• Is Pursuing a Maths Degree Worth It: With the Top 9 Benefits!
• Is Teaching High School Math Hard? Let’s Find Out!
• 7 Best Strategies to Increase Math Engagement!
• 11 Common Mistakes Students Make in High School Maths .

Closing thoughts

As a teacher of math, I believe that it is important to have a structured, well-organized lesson plan to keep your students engaged and getting the most out of their lessons.

By keeping in mind the steps I have discussed, you can create an effective lesson plan that not only helps your students learn but makes math more accessible and fun.

With these tips in your back pocket, it is time to show your students just how exciting and approachable math can be.

I am Altiné. I am the guy behind mathodics.com. When I am not teaching math, you can find me reading, running, biking, or doing anything that allows me to enjoy nature's beauty. I hope you find what you are looking for while visiting mathodics.com.

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Maths lesson planning: how to plan and write a great maths lesson

Planning a maths lesson may not always be fun, however it’s hard to argue against its’ worth in the classroom. While children may not be jumping for joy to hear it's the topic of the day, it's a necessity for their future. Which is why it’s important, when maths planning, to find the balance between coving the fundamentals and making it engaging. We’re here to show you that with the right maths lesson planning strategy, your class can have fun while learning. And that’s the most important thing. Table of Contents:

Where can I find Primary maths lesson plans?

• Why is lesson planning important for maths?

How to start a maths lesson

Types of maths lessons, lesson plan examples, what makes a good mathematics lesson plan, what does a maths lesson plan include.

• Lesson plan templates

From experience, we can say that having a plan in place is imperative for a successful maths lesson. Having a framework and goals established before class begins helps even the most reluctant learner to understand the subject matter more effectively. And what makes all this planning easier, is finding high quality maths resources that you can rely on to keep your students engaged. There are some very simple things we’ve learned that you can implement in your primary school class to make it all the more interesting and it really helps to get them into a lesson plan. You can explore hundreds of maths lesson plans , for free, on Pango! Start a free trial today .

Firstly, there are some amazing maths lesson plans available online which can save you hours of maths planning time each week. Pango brings together content from over a dozen quality resource providers, allowing teachers to explore thousands of maths lesson plans from multiple different publishers in one place. These plans are great for saving teachers precious planning time , whilst ensuring you're still teaching engaging, progressive, primary maths lessons.  

Why is a lesson plan important for maths?

Planning a maths lesson can be a difficult project. Maths is not always an easy subject to teach, due to its many intricacies and rules. Whether you are starting with numbers , geometry or statistics , each comes with its own calculations to get your head around. Yet having a clear maths lesson plan is essential if you want things to run smoothly, and reach your teaching objectives. Choosing to make a lesson plan for maths subjects will force you to think about all the important parts: How to start it, how to make sure the children will understand the subject matter and how to keep them focused throughout the lesson. Having a clear goal and how to get there is the main key element for maths planning. Afterwards, it can be useful to get back to the drawing table and review how the lesson went. You might have to adjust some things to make it more interesting or clearer the next time. That way you can use them for future reference and for other class topics. Discover our scheme of works to help you plan for your primary lessons.  

When deciding on how to start your lesson, there are a few things you have to keep in mind:

• What format do you want the lesson to be in?
• What will the objectives be?
• What time frame do you have to teach everything?

It is possible (and useful) to think about making the lesson part of a sequence of lessons that build up to a certain objective. In the long run, this will improve your students' mathematical thinking skills, while also helping to plan more maths lessons in advance. Once you figure out these three ‘What’ questions, you can then get into the ‘How’ of it all. There are a couple of different types of lesson formats you can choose from. Below you will find some useful examples and some resources to use as inspiration.

There are a number of lesson formats you can choose from to base your maths lessons off. Let us take a closer look at these to help you pick what is most suitable for your students and teaching style. Planning maths and other subjects lessons usually fall into one of the following categories:

• Daily lesson plans
• Weekly lesson plans
• Monthly lesson plans
• Unit lesson plans
• Topic/subject lesson plans
• E-learning lesson plans

Sometimes it helps to see some examples of good lesson plans, to help you get inspired.   Pango   has great maths lesson plans ready for you to use with your class, and you can even plan out your entire teaching schedule with Pango’s easy-to-use platform. Explore them for free today !

A good maths plan is built on three foundations:

Keep it clear

Keep it relevant, keep it interesting.

Teachers often find that the hardest part about maths planning is that a lot of children don’t understand the subject matter. Much of this difficulty can come from the language and examples used by the teacher. So make sure you keep it clear, and in the most simple form possible.

Even when maths is explained in a simple way, it’s possible there will be some children who still don’t understand. You can help them by making the problems relevant to their lives. Try to come up with exercises that build off real-life problems and bring the day-to-day world into your maths lesson; it’s so much fun to link a mathematical problem with a cartoon the kids love, like Pokémon.  

Don’t forget to keep focus high during the lesson. Add in some variety with maths games or using materials to visualise the numbers. By doing something surprising, you will see your students having more focus and enjoying the subject matter more. There are lots of fun maths games that you can easily add to your lessons as a starter/finisher activity on Pango. You can even try letting your children decide which way to solve a problem. Also, never be afraid to make mistakes, it might even be a fun way to keep your students interested by letting them search for faults in your logic.

There are three elements that make for an awesome and fun maths lesson in our opinion. It’s great to include these in your maths planning as they will give you a good base to start a lesson off.

• Setting objectives

Time planning

Good assessments.

Having a clear lesson plan for your maths session makes it easier to travel the road towards your end destination. Take a look here to see how you can do this in your own plan.

Tick tock goes the clock. Never forget to take time into account when writing out your maths lesson plan. With the point above in mind, try to fit your teaching objectives into a set time to make it easier on yourself and your students.

Quiz time! You might think your students have learned the subject matter, but you will only know for sure when you’ve taken the time to measure their progress. You can either do a Q&A at the end of a lesson or question their understanding at points throughout the lesson. Taking the time to plan this into your maths lesson can help assess each pupil's ability and what things you may need to go over again. You can find a whole library of maths assessment materials on Pango - ranging from fun finisher activities to longer end-of-unit assessments.  

Lesson plan templates:

A lesson plan template is often the same for any subject, and planning for maths is no different! For every maths lesson plan, it's a good idea to include the following:

• An objective
• Related requirements to understand the lesson
• Which materials will be used
• What lesson procedure you’ll follow
• How you will assess understanding/learning of the subject matter
• Reflection on how the lesson went

Now it’s time for you to get in the game and plan out your maths lesson. Remember: don’t be scared to get creative and have some fun with it!

Why plan your maths lesson with Pango

If you're looking for ready-made primary maths lesson packs, Pango partners with multiple award-winning resource providers to bring teachers all the lessons they need, in one place. Whether you need science resources or history worksheets , we cover the full primary curriculum. Designed by teachers, for teachers, we understand the need for high quality resources, which can also save you time creating. Explore them for free when you start a trial today!

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Assignments on presentations

Short talks, chalk talks, slide talks, choosing suitable content, should students present alone or with a collaborator, writing a clear assignment.

If one of your objectives is for students to learn to communicate as mathematicians, then consider creating a presentation context that is comparable to those encountered by mathematicians (e.g., conference talk, colloquium talk, poster presentation, lecture to students, informal presentation to collaborators).

Assigning short talks at the start of the term

• acts as an ice breaker and helps the class get to know each other
• gives you a quick way to assess which students will need the most help with presenting
• helps the students to start becoming more comfortable speaking in front of the class

If students will do a large project as part of the course, a short talk could be an introduction to what they plan to work on.

Students may assume that chalk talks require little preparation; however, many students find that juggling speaking and writing is much more challenging than they anticipate. Consider recommending or requiring the following forms of preparation:

• Schedule a rehearsal enough in advance for the student to recover once it becomes clear just how challenging presenting will be.
• Advise students to plan exactly what they will write on each board. They should review these “board sketches” to ensure that the boards will make sense to anyone who stops listening for a moment to think.
• The few students who have particular trouble focusing their speaking may benefit from the exercise of writing out and revising what they plan to say, but they should not memorize this script or use it during the presentation.

In many branches of mathematics (and science in general), it is now expected that talks be given using computer slides projected on a screen. Although preparing the slides requires students to think through the talk ahead of time, students often make the mistakes of including dense mathematics on the slides and rushing through the slides when they present. Consider reviewing a draft of the slides. Again, a rehearsal is very helpful.

There are various issues to consider depending on whether you assign the material to present or students choose their own presentation topics.

Assigned Topic

If you assign students the material, consider the following questions:

• Is the source material at a suitable level? How much mathematical maturity is needed to absorb (and then teach) the material presented? Is the exposition in the source material clear, correct, and complete?
• Is the amount of material assigned reasonable given the time constraints on the presentation? An important presentation skill is deciding what to present: how much flexibility are you willing to give the students about omitting or restructuring the material? If you are open to them deciding to omit certain portions, make sure they know.
• How is the material related to what has been discussed in class already? It may be helpful to speak with the student about what they might need to review and what they can assume the audience knows. If the material foreshadows future material, let the student know so s/he may give the audience this helpful information.

Student Choice of Topic

If students choose their own material, many of the issues for assigned topics are still relevant. However, the added complication is that the students may not be able to answer these questions themselves when choosing their material. It may be helpful to require consultation on the subject matter with you well ahead of the presentation.

Talks on Final Project

A capstone project (final paper) in the course is a good opportunity for a final student presentation. Students often enjoy the opportunity to speak on material they have worked on for a while. If most presentations up to this point in your course have been chalk talks, the final presentation is a good time to introduce the students to slides and to talk about how changing the “props” of a talk impacts the style of presentation. The transition from giving chalk talks to giving a slide talk is challenging, so a practice presentation is essential.

It’s common for each student to present alone, but an advantage to having students present in pairs or teams is that the students can help each other to present well. Below are some observations from educators who have assigned pair and team presentations.

Pair presentations in M.I.T.’s Seminar in Number Theory

Scott Carnahan experimented with having students present math in pairs. He assigned a general topic for each presentation, and the students covered some amount of material that seemed reasonable for a 30 minute talk, coming up with their own strategies for presentation.

Scott writes, “In almost all of the pair presentations, the students decided to split the talk roughly in two, and each student talked for about 15 minutes. In some of the cases, one of the students in the pair had a weaker background or less confidence, and just gave some background information while the more confident student presented the “meat” of the talk. I don’t know how much time they spent preparing, so I can’t tell if this is a just division of labor.

“There were a few attempts at more innovative presentation styles. For one pair, they allocated half of the board space to each student, and took turns talking, where one student introduced the general theory, and the other student wrote examples. It wasn’t an exceptionally polished performance (they had some synchronization problems), but it showed some potential.

“I should mention that one key advantage of pair presentations is that it forced the students to work with each other for preparation, instead of only spending time with me. For the solo presentations, I had been telling them what I personally liked to see in a presentation, but I think hearing another student’s opinion is valuable.”

Teams of 3 in M.I.T.’s Project Lab in Mathematics

Susan Ruff writes, “In Project Lab students present in teams of 3. Here are some of the challenges they face:

• If the entire presentation is 45 minutes, each student presents for only 15 minutes. It’s very difficult for students to judge an appropriate amount of material to try to include in 15 minutes. If the timing isn’t flexible, doing a timed practice presentation is essential–usually more than one practice presentation is needed. We schedule a practice presentation with the team mentor and me for a few days before the in-class presentation; then students are encouraged to do at least one more practice presentation on their own.

“Here are a few superficial issues the students often face:

• If the later presenter needs to refer to content presented by an earlier presenter, the presenters need to ensure that the necessary earlier material isn’t erased.
• When one presenter makes a mistake, the others typically either sit silently and cringe or try to whisper the correction. You can point out to the presenters that they should help each other and that they can interrupt professionally: “Excuse me, …” “Thank you.”
• Often the presenters aren’t prepared for how to transition between presenters.
• One of the greatest advantages of presenting in teams is that the teammates can help each other to plan a good presentation–they can point out for each other ways to present information more clearly, and they can together come up with good ideas for how to structure the presentation and how to handle the most challenging parts of the content.

“A few years ago one 821 team did a shorter presentation in which the teammates assumed different roles: one was the narrator (the person who provided verbal guiding text or meta explanation) while the others did the mathematical heavy lifting as needed. This dynamic worked remarkably well for the short presentation. For a longer presentation I could imagine that one challenge of this approach might be that the narrator is on stage all of the time, so must remain still to avoid being distracting.”

Specify the details of the assignments: content, purpose, timing, format (chalk? slides?), grading , educational objectives. If students don’t yet know each other or if you would like students to target an audience other than each other, also indicate how much background knowledge they may assume.

• See the examples above under “Should students present alone or with a collaborator?”

Please contribute additional examples of presentation assignments, along with commentary on the effectiveness of the assignment.

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