I started tutoring at Lincoln a couple of weeks ago. By far, most students are there to receive help with math. While I am finding that my math skills are rather rusty, I still feel that I've been at least some help to the students that I've tutored.
You see, most of their problems stem from this simple statement: "I'm just not good at math." I tell each student who tells me this to stop that line of thought right now. The truth is, while we may have certain intellectual strengths and weaknesses, our brains are amazingly plastic; they can adapt to nearly anything to which we dedicate our effort. Now, many of these students' problems stem from a lack of practice (especially with multiplication tables); however, that lack of practice is due to their lack of confidence.
Saying we can't do something is such an easy excuse to use because so many people have to come to believe it. It is a false belief. Our students need to learn to believe in themselves. They can be good at math; they just don't know it yet.
You see, most of their problems stem from this simple statement: "I'm just not good at math." I tell each student who tells me this to stop that line of thought right now. The truth is, while we may have certain intellectual strengths and weaknesses, our brains are amazingly plastic; they can adapt to nearly anything to which we dedicate our effort. Now, many of these students' problems stem from a lack of practice (especially with multiplication tables); however, that lack of practice is due to their lack of confidence.
Saying we can't do something is such an easy excuse to use because so many people have to come to believe it. It is a false belief. Our students need to learn to believe in themselves. They can be good at math; they just don't know it yet.
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