Are you looking for strategies to help students who have trouble working math problems from left to right instead of right to left? If so, keep reading.
1. Select a peer to model working math problems from right to left for the student.
2. Create a math reference sheet for the student to keep at their desk (e.g., steps used in doing addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division problems).
3. Display a sizeable poster-board sign or use the smartboard to create a message that indicates reading begins to the left and math problems start to the right.
4. Get the student to check their math assignments using a calculator.
5. Get the student to talk through math problems as they are solving them to find errors the student is making.
6. Get the student to use a calculator to solve math problems.
7. Get the student to orally explain steps to the teacher for solving a math problem to check the student’s thinking processes.
8. Give the student a number line on their desk to use as a reference.
9. Teach the student why they are learning a math concept. Give the student concrete examples and chances for them to apply those ideas in real-life situations.
10. Make sure the student has learned place value ideas and knows that columns to the left are higher values than those to the right.
11. Make sure the student has mastery of math ideas at each level before introducing a new skill level.
12. Make sure the student knows place value and can explain the concept of the ones column, the tens column, etc.
13. Embody proper right-to-left solving of math problems on the smartboard or overhead projector before the student begins a new task.
14. Pair the student with another student to solve math problems on the smartboard.
15. Give math practice using an app or a hand-held educational device that gives instant feedback to the student.
16. Consider using Alexa for the Math Classroom.
17. Try gamifying your math lessons.
18. Consider using one of the apps and tools from our many math app lists:
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