Many students don't love math—but why not? Coding for kids probably wasn't a hit at first either, that is, until it was made to be fun and engaging!
The secret? Sometimes it's about finding different engagement methods. And not stopping there, the magic really happens when you're able to customize the delivery of that engagement so it carries personal significance.
Other times it's about connecting math to things kids and teens already like and enjoy. (And sometimes it's both!)
And that’s our goal here—to ensure that students don’t just go through the motions to earn a passing grade in their math classes, but to help them really latch on to math as an interest and something they look forward to.
Online Math Courses
So, here are seven online math classes for kids and teens to consider taking outside of regular school time in order to try and boost their skills and appreciation.
1. Mental Math
Mental math is exactly what it sounds like—the ability to do mathematical calculations in one's head! As you can imagine, it's a valuable skill that can help students not only in school, but in everyday life as they learn how to arrive at conclusions faster than before.
With a mental math class, kids can learn to visualize math and easily add and subtract in their mind, taking in tips and tricks to perform calculator-free actions at a new level. Whether your child is interested in math competitions or simply looking to sharpen their math skills without pencil and paper, the guidance of a math tutor can help them get there.
2. Data Science with Trading Cards
Adding this one early on the list to let parents and kids know that not all math has to be so math-y. That's right, we are talking trading cards! Data Science with Trading Cards combines something teens are already familiar with - like Pokémon or Magic the Gathering cards - with some of the most in-demand Python skills out there today.
Why? Because a big key to playing, collecting, and getting better at trading card games is data science. More specifically, probability and statistics to mathematically model and assumptions.
3. Math Homework Help
Have kids who are dizzied by long division? Stumped by solving for x? You’re not alone. Not to mention that in-class confusion easily spills into at-home frustration when it comes to homework.
And as much as many parents would love to help their kids, it means dusting off skills that are…a bit dusty, to say the least. Sure, we grown-ups can discreetly pull out our smartphones, but that doesn’t help kids show their work or really understand the math skills behind the numbers. After all, just giving kids the answer won’t help them succeed in the long term.
So, that's where this course comes in—an online private math session that mirrors a lot of what unfolds with in-person tutoring sessions, while allowing for more convenience in terms of scheduling logistics. It might even allow middle and high school parents to more easily find a tutor who specializes in a specific topic.
4. Elementary Math
Success starts at the foundation, and strong elementary math skills will set kids up for success in school at all levels!
While confidence and problem-solving skills will mostly always benefit kids no matter their age, these formative years are key in building a lifelong appreciation of math.
In these tutoring-based sessions, review elementary math concepts and topics, gain assistance on homework and assignments, connect math with the real world, and more!
5. Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, and Algebra II
Getting into a few tutoring courses/lessons that align with what kids are learning in school, these three different online class options go from beginner to advanced algebra, with pre-algebra, algebra I, and algebra II.
In pre-algebra, students get into fractions, decimals, variables, and ratios, where algebra I advances to exploring rational and irrational numbers and learning quadratic equations and functions. From there, algebra II offers study in polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions, in addition to quadratic functions.
Online tutoring for kids eliminates the logistics and headaches of squeezing a visit to a tutoring center into an already packed schedule. With guidance from a caring mentor, the limit does not exist in terms of what your child can achieve!
6. AP® Calculus AB & BC Prep
Math wizzes can knock out a freshman math requirement, bolster their college applications, and flex their computational muscles all at once by acing this test!
The key to success on challenging exams like AP Calculus AB and BC often lies in practice, practice, practice. Regular tutoring and direction in a course like this - and from someone who’s been there - can transform uncertainty to confidence and guesswork into “I know how to do this!”
7. Chess Strategy & Gameplay
Last but not least, how about another option to make math fun in the eyes of your kid or teen?
Chess is a valuable strategic challenge that builds logic, math, and analytical skills. The underlying competition also keeps kids engaged and encourages them to learn more and hone their skills. It's a classic challenge that teaches skills applicable to the latest technology.
Other Learning Resources
In addition to the class options above, parents need resources that combine efficiency with informative, high-quality math expertise. So, here are a few that balance the equation and take the pop-quiz-like pressure off of lending a hand to young mathematicians.
Math Tutorials
Video tutorials are great (more on that shortly here), but if you’re looking for something that progresses at your pace, it’s much easier to pause while reading than constantly hit the pause button!
In these useful "Math with Margo" tutorials, she shows students (and their parents) how to tackle commonly assigned problems and core concepts. Check out this list for the topic your learner is stuck on:
- How to Convert Word Problems into Equations
- How to Turn Decimals into Fractions
- How to Solve for X
- How to Study for a Math Test
- What is a quadrant in math?
Follow along step-by-step, and you’ll soon be brushed up on this week’s homework challenge.
Math YouTube Channels
If you could use a visual reminder of how to graph inequalities, a video demo might be your best first stop. There is a bit of a caveat here: not all YouTube videos are to be trusted, and you want to make sure your time was well spent.
The best educational YouTube channels are produced by experts in addition to boasting plenty of likes and subscribers. Don’t worry, we’ve done the vetting for you.
Helping out your middle or high school student? Try Eddie Woo’s math channel or Mathantics: each of these offers help on a wide range of math topics, a talented teacher, and an explained example of the subject at hand. You can watch alongside your learner or on your own (to offer proof that you do indeed know everything, of course).
For elementary math, try one of these YouTube channels that will help kids with math: Homeschool Pop or KidsEduc.
Websites & Blogs
There are plenty of high-quality math help websites and blogs out there! Boasting free practice games, step-by-step tutorials, and more, it’s great to have a few of these in your back pocket. That way, the information your child is looking for can be just a few clicks away.
The trick is to encourage kids to explore these websites with you or independently; that way, they will still get what they’re looking for without simply being handed the answer. These websites are just a starting point, but they’re some of the best math help websites for getting started with homework or extra practice before a quiz.
Elementary and middle school math websites
High school math websites
Best math websites for all ages
Math blogs
- Fun facts about math
- 2021 math competitions
- Everyday ways to make math fun
- 25 fun math activities
- How to study for a math test
With these resources in hand, you’re ready to fly to your student’s rescue! Math homework help, here you come.
