This issue is easily fixed by correcting the common mistakes listed below.
Common Mistakes That Make Math Take Too Long
- Lacks fluency in fraction, decimal, and percent conversions: If your student did not use Saxon 87, 2nd or 3rd Edition or they took 87 but did not achieve mastery in the Facts Drills, complete the Facts Drills posted on the Course Home page. Fluency in these skills make learning Algebra much faster. It's like building a house using a nail gun vs a hammer.
- Spends too much time on the Reading Assignment: The reading assignment should only take 5-10 minutes. Follow the steps posted in the eLearning course above each each reading assignment.
- Takes too many notes on the lecture: While they should take brief notes on headings and formulas, the primary focus of the video lectures should be on solving the example problems. After Dr. Shormann teaches each example problem, pause the lecture and try to solve the problem on your paper. Don’t simply copy the example problems. Rewind and fast-forward as needed.
- **Spends more than 10 minutes stuck on a problem in the Practice Set:**Follow the steps on the Practice Set Instructions sheet, posted above each Practice Set, that explains what to do when you get a problem wrong or don’t know how to do a problem.
- Not using the Timed Method: This negatively affects fluency, making math slower and harder to learn. I cannot overemphasize the importance of using this method. See more in the Reminders below.
- Not following the Corrections steps: The Practice Set Instruction Sheet has step-by-step instructions on how to re-learn and correct missed problems using the video solutions.
- Not Emailing Dr. Shormann as instructed: The Practice Set, Quiz, and Exam Instruction Sheets have information on how and when to contact Dr. Shormann. If, after viewing the video solution, they still don't understand, they usually have a gap in a previous concept that Dr. Shormann can quickly and easily correct.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
The first 25 lessons are review of foundational concepts required to learn the concepts in the rest of the course. Depending on your previous math course, some lessons may not be review to your student. Therefore, it may take more than 1 day to complete these lessons. That's okay! Be patient and focus on learning math like you would learn any new skill, like piano or pitching.
- Timed Method: Work on math a minimum of 4 - 5 days per week, for no more than an hour or so per day. At the end of that time, regardless of how much of the lesson has been completed, stop. Then, pick-up where you left off the next day. After an hour or so, your brain does not retain information. Therefore, exceeding this time limit is similar to skipping the material, creating gaps and making math harder to learn. Learn More: How Will My Student Finish on Time
- A typical school year is 36 weeks. Shormann Math is only 30 weeks. There are six weeks built into the course to allow additional time, as each student needs it, to re-learn or grasp a concept. Keep in mind, your student is earning 3 semesters of credit (1 Algebra 1 & 1/2 Geometry) so it is okay if it takes 3 semesters to complete this course.
- If you are concerned about "finishing on time", have your student work on math an extra day or two per week. This will exponentially increase fluency (speed and accuracy) which will make completing a lesson much faster. When the student can complete most lessons in an hour or so, you can go back to 4 or 5 days per week.
If you need further assistance, please contact a consultant.
May 17, 2023