Math
Math is something that a lot of people use in their daily life, but the issue with math instruction today is that it is not catered to teach us what we actually need in the real world. Teachers should adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of the student population in a way that is relatable, instead they teach you how to make 3D graphs.
When I was in school, my teachers would tell me that I couldn't use the calculator as a tool to enhance my understanding of a subject that I hated mainly because I would never have access to a calculator at all times. I had to learn how to solve the equation myself with no help. It is possible that some students learn better through different methods rather than struggling to learning one method.
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If there are a lot of people that dislike math, that should be the first sign that the current methods of instruction are not working. Math doesn't have to be boring. It's the fault of the educators and the system still based on industrial age principals for letting our students to lose interest in math in the first place. It is possible to do that, you just have to figure out how to use math in a way that is relatable and that allows children to know things that directly apply in their lives. How does math help me if math doesn't apply to me? Why should I pay attention to something that I can't relate to?
Numbers
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Children can struggle with understanding how numbers function within math equations if they don't have a deep understanding of how numbers relate to one another. Teachers must place importance on how to break down numbers into more manageable pieces in a variety of ways that is tailored to the students as well as how to form complex numbers.
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There are a variety of ways to incorporate creativity into math lessons that provides a less rigid structure and allows for new ways of thinking about numbers to emerge.
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Patterns
Numbers are patterns and we should be teaching them in a way that makes them see that numbers as parts of whole things instead of a concept completely unrelated that they will ever use in their daily life.
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In order to ensure an increase in the overall comprehension of math, math needs to be presented in a way that is no longer testing for understanding of how to use X equation to solve X type of problem. Math needs to be presented in patterns so that math can be relatable and reliable. If we can't see themes across different problems we are trying to solve in class or in our daily life, how can we be expected to understand how numbers work together? If we are teaching math in patterns, it is more likely that students will have a higher comprehension level as they can relate one problem or equation to another.
Technology
Remember: Technology is a support that provides an aid to learning a concept or answering a question.
Technology in math can be a calculator, counting blocks, beans, coins, rulers, or anything that can assist students to better understand the patterns and how numbers function in the problems they are solving. There are so many websites that have fun games that give a fresh perspective on learning equations rather than those boring worksheets. Crafts and activities are a great way to improve student engagement, but remember that not just any craft will do the trick.
Real World
Without the context of how math relates to students and their everyday life now and in the future, they will never see the value in learning these concepts. It doesn't help that our current education system drills the same facts and concepts into every students' head and tells them that if they don't learn how do these hard tasks you won't pass. We are taught math in a way that allows students to begin to despise and eradicate its importance in their life, then when kids become adults and have to figure out bills, taxes, tips, sales, or have to double a recipe, it takes us a while and we get frustrated. Why do we teach 3D graphs instead of useful math with connections to the real world, math that we will inevitably have to use?
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Real world context provides students the opportunity to see how math is integrated into their own personal interests. Math matters for everyone every day and teaching useful tricks will help these basic skills be remembered as they grow up. Cooking and money are the most prevalent ways that math shows up in our general day to day life that people think of. Along with these come weather, medicine, telling time, technology, buildings, internet, bridges, traffic systems, transportation vehicles, national defense, etc. We take math for granted.
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It's easy to get creative when making lesson plans for students around math, please don't allow your students to loose interest and develop a hatred of math. Instead, make learning math engaging and fun that can be tailored to your specific group of students, trust me that this is possible and will result in higher comprehension levels!