Why do some students have math anxiety?

It’s hard to say for sure why certain individuals suffer from math anxiety, or even any form of anxiety. However, we do have a good understanding of which students are at-risk for developing it.

Students who suffer from a generalized anxiety are more prone to developing math anxiety. Other students may develop math anxiety after a series of failures or from a prior unpleasant experience. If you perform poorly on multiple tests, or have an embarrassing exchange with your math teacher, it’s natural to associate math with negative feelings. These negative feelings can lead the student to avoid situations where they will have to perform math. As a result, highly anxious math students are less prepared and competent than their non-anxious counterparts.

What are some ways to reduce math anxiety?

Here are three tips to help you reduce your math anxiety:

1. Stay positive! Don’t let negative thoughts creep into your mind. Negative feelings like, “I stink at math”, or “I’m going to fail this”, serve no purpose and only feed your anxiety.

2. Take a deep breath! Those with high anxiety tend to tense up and breath irregularly. This can lead to a panic attack.

3. Be prepared! If you’re fully prepared for a class or test, you may not fear performance issues as much.

Although simple, these three techniques are very effective at lowering math anxiety. You should also talk to your guidance counselor if your math anxiety is causing you severe discomfort or impeding your learning.

About the author

Michael is passionate about education and psychology. He fuels his passions through his company, MY NYC Tutors, a tutoring service that offers private tutoring in NYC. My NYC Tutors offers private tutoring for grades K-12, including SAT preparation.

Quick! What is 9 x 12? If you learned it like I did, without even thinking, the number 108 pops into your head. In fact, whenever you hear nine and twelve mentioned together, two numbers automatically come to mind-21 and 108. The first is the sum of the numbers mentioned, and the last is their product. Because of the commutative properties of addition and multiplication, it does not matter in which order they appear; the sum, and the product will always be the same. Not so for subtraction and division, but that's another story.

Nowadays, math is taught differently. Memorization of such facts is not encouraged, and in some cases, arriving at the correct answer isn't even important, but high school graduates need solid math skills, whether headed to college, or to work, according to the National Mathematics Advisory Panel.

Why have teaching methods changed? I have my theories, and most of them center around the sales of text books to schools. When you teach facts-the very definition of which is always true; unchangeable-you need not buy new textbooks very often.

New math notwithstanding, memorization is still best when it comes to basic arithmetic skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of small numbers. And it's that instantaneous knowledge of the interaction between small numbers that enables us to tackle the larger, more complex ones. Without command of the times tables, attempting to solve number problems will only lead students to discouragement, poor performance, and sometimes drop out, and even failure.

How many times in a day do we use these skills in real life? You balance your checkbook, measure a room, double a recipe, figure your miles per gallon, calculate cost comparisons while shopping, and more. Hot dogs come in packages of ten, and buns are sold in eight-packs. How do you deal with that to prevent someone from eating a bunless wiener? That may be funny, but the issue is serious.

Study after study shows the US lagging behind other countries in graduating scientists and engineers.

Basic arithmetic facts, such as sum and product number pairs are easily mastered by young children, and when they instinctively know the correct answers, they are rewarded with instant gratification, a sense of accomplishment, and the desire to continue learning. These are excellent qualities to foster in a child. They set the tone for future learning and future success.

A junior high science, robotics, and rocketry teacher at a Charter School in Arizona saw his students struggling with the math portion of his classes, the necessary calculations needed to determine rocket payload and trajectory, and traced the root of this problem to their lack of the basic math skills required. Determined to help these students, who otherwise had a bright future in a scientific field, he devised an audio CD to teach them the multiplication tables that they had not been taught, and soon, they were performing as expected in the science class.

Children who take a home-study course will find themselves far ahead of their classmates who may be struggling with math in school because they lack the proper foundation. And older students who missed gaining this knowledge at the elementary level will find it easier to solve more advanced math problems after using an additional tutorial program.

The news often reports how poorly American students perform in math and science when compared to other industrialized and emerging nations, proving that despite the sizeable cost we pay for education, our schools are not getting the job done. Parents must become involved and seek out supplementary tools if they expect their children to learn, and the areas most at risk are math, science, history, and critical thinking skills.

Here is a list of some good websites that can aid your child’s Maths. Hope you find it useful.
Growing up I hated Maths. I hated the text book, I hated the home work I got and I even hated the succession of tutors who coached me after school. I could never figure out why people thought it was so important. I guess being somewhat artistically inclined and more into literature and stories, the magic of numbers was not for me. At the same time, now I do know that while I was not inclined towards Maths my son is.

Although it is indeed difficult to overcome a math problem, there are many remedies that can be used to help students succeed. Before getting to any specific math instruction, however, you should work at overcoming any math anxiety the student may have. This is a real problem. The students who are poor at math have a real fear of it. Reading can cause anxiety in children, but math anxiety seems to take over their entire world, and when doing math, fear is their major emotion. It is first important to work on this fear by taking the pressure away. So what if you fail a test? The world won't end. Look, you're doing great on multiplication, etc. Praise, praise, praise when the student does something right. Patience is important as well. After working on the anxiety aspect, move on to specific skills that help the student succeed.

First, find out the student's ability level, regardless of grade level. Start instruction and practice at that level. Even if the student is in the 6th grade and is performing math at a 2nd grade level, it is vitally important to start at the 2nd grade level. Math is sequential, and one building block must be in place before the next one is put down. Next, work on visual processing skills and eye/hand coordination. This helps the student place and align problems on the paper properly so that the correct answer can be attained. One of the biggest problems found in students is the inability to line up math problems. It is as though the red margin line on the left doesn't even exist to them! Keeping columns lined up neatly for proper computation is another problem, and both can be remedied easily enough. Spatial and perceptual skills training helps in this area.

You should start a math tutoring session with activity using brain integration activities with numbers. If the student is weak in visual memory (and usually these kids are), spend time on visual memory and recall activities. These activities help the brain cross over to the left hemisphere, since math is a left hemisphere activity.

Finally, when doing actual math instruction, it is recommended that you do the following activities to ensure for math success:

1. Use blank paper with no lines - this eliminates distractions on the student's part. Lines and other markings on paper will take the student's eyes to places other than math, and this is not good.

2. Model the process step by step very slowly in color on the blank paper. Show the student what to do using a different color for every step of the process. When you change steps, you change color. This helps the student "switch gears" while doing the multi-step processes.

3. After showing the student what to do, have the student practice the math problem. Once again, the student will be using color to do the steps, using a different color for each step.

4. Have the student practice several times in color on the blank paper. If the student makes a mistake, simply redirect him and have him keep practicing. Praise any correct steps. You may need to show the student the correct step several times. Be sure you have the student practice immediately after the steps are modeled.

5. Have the student verbalize the steps as he writes them. Telling you the process will help him remember it.

6. Give the student immediate feedback. Don't wait for the next day to tell him what he did wrong or right.

7. Only work on one small skill at a time. You don't want to show the student how to do all fractions in one day. Start with adding and subtracting fractions with a like denominator.

Other tools to help students succeed in math are:

1. The card game Blink or the card game Speed. Both help the student process more than one thing at a time.

2. Writing and practicing math facts in some kind of a gooey substance or a substance with texture, such as sand.

3. Visual memory games. The student is shown a series of shapes, numbers, or figures for a few seconds. They are then taken away and the student copies them on paper from memory.

Math is difficult for a student who is right brain dominant. You can help these students access the left hemisphere of the brain so that math success can be met.

Help your child learn math with these free printable flash cards.Free Printable Math Flash Cards for Kids

If you have a child who hates math or is having a hard time with their math skills, the free printable math flash cards for kids can help them keep their math skills up-to-date. The free, printable math flash cards can make this learning activity less mundane and more fun for them.

The kids can help with printing the cards. By having them help with putting the free, printable math flash cards together, they may feel learning their addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division isn't such a bad thing. As we all know, having the basic math skills is needed in everyday life.

If using the free printable math flash cards for kids to help your child with their math skills doesn't work because they don't want to, try making a game out of using the free, printable math flash cards to help them. For example, with the addition flash cards, use different colored grapes to help them gets the answer for the flash card. Lay down the green grape amount for one number and the amount of red grapes down for the other number and have them add the two different sets of grapes together. By doing this, they can have a visual aid to help them with their math skills.

Another way to help kids become more intent on learning with the free printable math flash cards is to set up a star chart with each math skill. When they have answered each of the problems correctly, place a star for each math skill completed. When they have completed each set of problems correctly, let them choose a special treat of some kind for sticking with the flash cards.

Instructions for Printing the Flash Cards

You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader in order to print out the free, printable math flash cards for kids. Each of the math flash cards will open individually in order to print them out so the answer side of the card can be folded onto the back side. Since many people will be using the standard copy paper to printout each of the cards, they will be half the size of the copy paper. You will need to tape the paper together so the answer side won't open to show the kids. You can also laminate them so they will last longer. Each of the free, printable math flash cards for kids have a picture on the bottom left side.

Printable Math Flash Cards

Addition Math Flash Cards

You will find 90 free printable addition flash cards on this list.

Subtraction Math Flash Cards

You will find 77 printable subtraction flash cards for you to printout.

Multiplication Math Flash Cards

There are 91 free printable multiplication flash cards for kids to practice with.

Division Math Flash Cards

There are 90 free printable division flash cards on this list.

If your child struggles with math, why not make it fun. There are lots of ways to make numbers fun or interesting. Making Math fun for kids is easier than you think.

The first way I'm going to tell you about is Treasure Hunt Math. This can be done two ways (you may think of other ways to make it interesting for your children). First, I draw up a map with a big X somewhere on the map. As my daughter finishes a Math problem, we draw a line from one dot to the next. W continue this until we reach the X. If she has 10 problems, I make 10 dots and then the X. If she has more, I have her do two problem per dot, or however it works out. Once she reached the X (finishes her problems) she should reach the X. Then she gets a treasure. Sometimes I let her chose from a few things (a bowl of ice-cream for snack, 10 minutes longer on Art or Bible Study ~ her favorite classes, 1 extra cartoon to watch, etc.). You chose the treasure from what rewards you would normally give your child. Sometimes, I chose the treasure like read an extra book with me, or she gets to chose what's for dinner, etc.

Admission essay writing is rated as highly important project in a student’s academic career. Especially, when it comes to get an admission in your desired school or college, it is necessary to write an exceptional paper that helps you to rejuvenate your writing skills and gain marginal scores.
This article will throw light upon those steps that are being practised by expert college application essay writers. These steps are summarised here for your convenience and ease in writing college application essay.
• A crucial step is to avoid including list of your accomplishments; your achievements and your success stories. The most compelling way is to induce a focused story which indicates or tells about your hard times and efforts been made to achieve success, can much reveal your passions and struggle. It is therefore, recommended to avoid listings.
• To reflect your personality in a mature way, induce a bit of humour in your writing. Remember do not think of humour as a substance of your writing. It’s an alternative to make your application essay light and interesting. Also, tone plays a significant role in your writing. Maintain a balance between generosity and humility. Avoid showing off your achievements and just make them your pride in a decent manner.
• Lastly, you are required to make minimum mistakes or errors. Doing mistakes will create a negative image on your readers and will endanger your success. Compromising on quality will result in a total failure to get admitted in your favourite place.
Remember, your writing is your reflection, it reveals your complete personality and therefore, it depends on the writer that how much he/she is interested in creating a thoughtful image on his readers?
One can find a great many helpful sites online which can assist you in writing your college application essay. Neither online writing services providers can give you an option to buy an application essay online nor, did they help you during writing, but they will help you by giving helpful tips and tools for writing a quality paper like UK essay or a custom essay paper.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/3-steps-involved-in-college-application-essay-writing-1342445.html

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Private number plate or personalised registration number is a unique kind of vehicle registration plate. The owner of the vehicle will have paid extra money to have his or her own choice of numbers or letters, usually forming a recognisable phrase, slogan, or initial on their vehicle’s plate.

Personal number plates may come with a price and it depends on the choice of number or letter combinations, usually initials or a phrase. Personal number plates say something about the owner, so it better be something that represents you or something you really like. Thus, acquiring a personal number plate starts with the reason or objective on why you would need one. It may be a personal or a business reason, what is important is it serves its purpose. Play with numbers and letters to form your personalised number plate and it would be helpful to also make a list of options.

After you have decided on your personal number plate, it’s time to check your budget. You have to decide on how much you are willing to spend for your number plate. Not having an exact budget might give room for overspending.

Once budget and the possible personal number plate combination have been decided, gather market information on the prices or how personal number plates in your area number are being valued. The rarity of the number may fetch a higher price. You can use the internet for the initial data gathering. Then you can start asking around, compare prices and negotiate. This will help you make a sound decision on where to spend your hard earned money. Ensure that the transaction is transparent and handled by recognized establishments. If your budget is really tight you have to pay attention for bargains.

There are other ways of looking for personalised number plates. If a second hand plate is an option for you then you can also advertise o the internet so number plate sellers may contact you. Moreover, you can also participate in auctions where you might not only get your dream plate but also build a valuable network of personalised number plate enthusiasts who may just lead you to the right purchase.

Having your personal registration number could be a good investment in case you decide sells it later. Selling of private registration number is considerable source of income for licensing agencies. But buying personal number plates is definitely not a walk in the park; there are also dangers in the buying process which could be costly. Like, a seller might appraise a plate too high compared to other sellers. Nevertheless, be patient, take your time and enjoy the buying process.

Writing art essay may be either a daunting or an exciting experience. However, for most students is a unique opportunity to apply their creativity and to study any art field. Art has always attracted people by its original approaches to life and human life. In order to reflect artistic values of some work of art, a student should possess a number of skills. Here are some tips how to make an excellent art essay that would satisfy any teacher. Art essay topics Art is a very wide branch of knowledge that may concern various fields, such as: Art theory and criticism where a student is required to study main art movements and history of art. Analysis of certain piece of art. This may be a picture or an icon, a statue or some architectural patterns. Here, a student is required to study some period in the history of art on the example of certain works characteristic of this period. A student may be asked to research biography of any artist or other artistic person. In any case, art essay requires a profound research. It should be noted that a student should not concentrate on a specific topic. He/she should broad his/her general knowledge in the topic to be able to produce a good essay. Writing guidelines Like any other type of essay, an art essay should follow a certain structure: 1.First of all, a student should know that art essay should be interesting as well as informative. Informative but tiresome essay will get few points. To make an essay sound fun but not unfounded try to use humor but be formal in arguments. 2.Profound research does not mean good paper yet. A student should be able to organize his/her thoughts, findings, and ideas logically and correctly. Do not start with some minor things; mention important arguments from the start. 3.Make relevant conclusions. It is important to keep a natural flow of the arguments and evidence. It is useful to finish with a small joke or some thought-provoking idea to make an impact on the reader.

Doverto Calais

Just twenty miles;fromDoveris the French portof Calaisand the DoverCalaisferryroutelets you choose froma load of sailings eachand everyday.So you can pretty much leaveand returnwhenever you want. To get the lowest fares you should book early.

With a crossingtimeof around and hour and the a half, the Doverto Calaisferryis the easiest, mostconvenientand cheapestway to get fromsouthern Englandto NorthernFrance.Because Englandand France havefantasticmotorway systems, once you get to Calaisyou couldeasilyexplore other French regionsand maybe even Holland, Belgiumand Germany to your heartscontent.

The channel ferryroute- fromDoverto Calaisleaves;fromthe EasternDocksin Dover. The dockshaveconvenientconnectionswithbus,rail and roadtransport.

Remember thatyou need to arrive early to be ableto check in. Cars and vans need to check in halfan hour beforedeparture, for footpassengers it'sthree quarters of an hour.

Directions to DoverPort

How to get there- set your satnav to CT16 1JA:

The official addressof Doverdocksis -

TravelCentre, EasternDocks, Dover

KentCT16 1JA Ifyou are travelling in a car thenthe Doverferryterminal is aboutone milefromthe Centreof Dover. You can easilyget to it fromthe M20 and fromthe M2. Onthe approaches to Dover, just makesure thatyou lookout for signsto 'DoverFerry Terminal' - theyare clearly marked. Once you enter Doverportitself,lookfor the signsregardingvehicles and reservationsand simply join the appropriate queue. Ifyou wantto leaveyour car at Doverferryportthenthereis plenty of short-stayand long-stayparking availableat the entranceto Doverport.Charges can vary so try to check beforeyou get there.

If you wantto travel by trainthenthe nearestmain trainstationis the DoverPriory stationwhichis approximatelythree kilometers fromDoverport.TraveltimefromLondon is around two hours and you can catch trains;frommainline stationsLondon Victoriaand Charing Cross. Thereis a frequent bus serviceoperatingfromthe trainstationto the portand its veryreasonably priced.

If you are travelling by coach - thereis a frequent, convenientservicefor both arrivalsand departures operatedby NationalExpress. If you take the coach fromLondon Victoriait will take you abouttwo and a halfhours to get to Doverport.

Channel Crossing for all the family

Whether you're a family looking;to keep the kids entertained, or a couplehoping to enjoya relaxingbreak, you'llfinda day tripto France offers somethingfor everyone;.

A channel cruisefromDoverto Calaisis the perfectway to enjoya cheap day tripto France.Whether you're planninga quick booze cruiseto stock up on all those grocery and alcoholbargains, or are in the process of renovatinga property,Calaisis the perfectplaceto save money. With severallargeHypermarketsand DIY stores, you'llfindmany items at significantly cheaperprices thanthe UK.

Around Calais

If you fancy going slightly further afield, the Nord-Pas de Calaisregion has plenty to offer. Recommended placesto visit include: Boulogne-sur-Mer

Why not try NorthernFrance'smostpopulartourist attraction, Nausicaä - France'sNationalSea discoveryCentrein Boulogne-sur-Mer,approximately45 minutes drivefromCalais. We recommend a stroll around the architectural beauty of Boulogne'sold ramparts, beforesampling the localcuisinein one of the town'sgreat cafésor restaurants. LeTouquet

Less thanan hour's drivefromCalais, Le Touquet's miles;of sandygolden beache;s;are best visited duringthe summermonths, withvirtually everyconceivableoutdoor activitycatered for.The moreadventurous can experience the thrill of sandyachtingon one of the longest beache;s;in NorthernFrance, whilst the town'sbespoke boutiquesand gastronomic cuisinemakeit ideal for couples;wishing to relax - you'lldiscover why it'sknown as 'Paris by the Sea'!

St. Omer

The Flemish town of Saint-Omerstands on a hillside on the edge of the River Aa marshes, less than30 miles;fromCalais. The largesquare in the town holdsa weeklymarket on Saturdaymornings, sellingfresh localproducefromthe farmson the marshes.A branch of the river runs throughthe lowerpart of the town and a boat tripis an ideal way of seeingthe 13th CenturyAbbey, housesand remarkableopencountryside.