8 Tips on How to Teach Algebra 

Whether you’re a teacher, homeschooler, or private tutor, your methods of teaching algebra can have an immeasurable effect on your student’s success in the subject. Understanding how to teach algebra can also be beneficial for adults who want to learn the basics of the subject and prepare themselves for higher education. 

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Algebra can be a difficult subject for both teachers and students. This is particularly true for younger students, who can often find it difficult to understand how symbols work. 

However, it is possible to make the subject more enjoyable and approachable for students. The key is to focus on the skills that are necessary for success and avoid focusing on the difficult aspects of the subject. 

4. Teach the main idea of the lesson

A good approach to teaching algebra is to ensure that students are learning about and understanding the key concepts of the lesson, as well as how to apply them in different situations. This will help them build confidence in the subject and become more comfortable with their newfound knowledge. 

  1. Use a variety of examples to develop their understanding

Another effective way to encourage your students’ mathematical development is to use examples from real-world situations. This can be done through activities such as the handshake activity that gets children to work out how many people would have a handshake if they greeted each other with “hello”, or the money problems quiz that looks at balancing equations by adding and subtracting coins. 

6. Show multiple representations for new ideas

A common mistake that many teachers and students make when learning new maths topics is to assume that they know exactly how it’s supposed to be represented. This is a major mistake because the same idea can be presented in a number of ways, including written as an equation, as a graph, and in word problems. 

  1. Use a variety of tools to reinforce your students’ learning

One of the most important things that you can do when teaching algebra is to show your students how to use a calculator. This will help them to gain a solid understanding of how to solve algebraic problems and will also give them a greater appreciation for the power of maths. 

8. Explain the connection between equations and word problems

The best way to get your students interested in algebra is to use real-life examples. If you have an architectural design project, for example, you might demonstrate how a particular equation can be used to represent a building’s height and width. 

9. Reinforce the steps of the problem

As a teacher, it’s crucial that you always show your students the step-by-step process for solving any Algebra problem. This is especially crucial for students who are not accustomed to writing down their steps. If a student can’t organize their steps on paper, they are likely to forget them and will struggle with the subject in the future. 

This is where the power of a video teaching resource comes in handy. By incorporating a video into the lessons, students are able to see their teacher working through example problems, ensuring that they can learn how to solve the problem. This helps them to build a strong understanding of the subject and makes it much easier for them to learn the skills.