Overwhelmed by Math

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My student, whom I'm tutoring in Standard 6 Math, is easily overwhelmed by obstacle when solving Math problems.

If I spot an error, I usually would direct him to the step where it occurs and ask him to determine what exactly the error is and to fix it. Usually he'll protest that he's correct (yes, once in a blue moon I was wrong). Sometimes he proceeds to correct the part that is actually correct, which means the error remains undetected. I then stop him and ask him why he does that. At this point, he's usually dejected already and at times become sullen while making sarcastic remarks.

Usually I just try to give more help e.g. by writing down the working but getting him to tell me the answers to each step and by giving encouragement. However, there was once where I had to stop for a while and asked him, in a rather serious but concerned tone, to tell me his problem. He didn't tell me but I'm guessing, and I told him so, that he is easily overwhelmed by Math problems. He didn't deny that.

My overall teaching method is to get him to understand why certain way works and why some don't, rather just memorising the way to solving problems. Memorisation should only be used as a last resort, as otherwise there are just too many things to memorise.

His loathing for Math is so great that he'll often wish that we can live without Math :) Next, he dislikes the person who invented school (hehe).

Any suggestion on how else I can help him?

Comments

William said…
Cara lembut tak accept, mungkin perlu cara keras. :P
March 6, 2011 at 9:16 AM
Anonymous said…
Point out to him what the lack of education can do--eg, poverty, and those who have to do menial labor. SR
March 6, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Jaded Jeremy said…
William,
Hmmm.

SR,
I sort of did that but more specifically with regard to Math.
March 6, 2011 at 5:52 PM
savante said…
Well I hate math and I also hate the fellow who invented exams! They suck!
March 7, 2011 at 11:52 PM
Janvier said…
Use money to replace meaningless digits. And actual models for geometry ie foldable cardboard boxes for angles etc.

Added future incentive: after college he's not gonna need maths that much!
March 8, 2011 at 1:52 AM
Jaded Jeremy said…
savante,
But they're here and so in the meantime, he has to accept that fact and do well lor.

Janvier,
Thanks for the suggestions.
March 8, 2011 at 1:26 PM
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