Smith Mathematics Coaching Sydney

Classes – What to expect

Teaching, Learning, Practice, Revision

Classes are the very best way of giving Students mathematical and examination information. Smith Mathematics Coaching classes specialise in:

• Revision
• Exam techniques
• Study techniques
• Worked examples
• Standard questions
• Summaries of topics
• Careless errors and how to avoid them

Classes are divided into 3 sections:

The Tutorial-Revision Section

I start each Class with a short revision test – the Fact Test. I mark this test on the board. It gives me an opportunity to talk about:

• How to do the question and what examiners would accept
• What the examiners would expect for full marks
• How to avoid careless errors
• How to start questions – often the hardest part
• How to get marks when you cannot do a question
• Study tips and relevant examination hints
• Common mistakes for this type of question
• Harder or easier questions related to this question
• How questions relate to other parts of the course

Students can ask questions at any time during the class – especially during this time. An abbreviated summary of the theory required for any question may be put on the board, if you request it or I think that it is warranted.

The Teaching-Learning Section

I carefully explain the theory, then put a worked example on the board. Once I've completed the worked example, Students attempt a similar example. If Students have a problem it is fixed then! This continues throughout the night with Students doing the majority of the work.

If summaries of the topic are needed, then Students will design them (I help). Students have not come to watch me do Mathematics. I want Students to do as much as possible – within reason.

Don't worry, no-one will be asked to show their working on the board!

The Homework-Practice-Revision Section

Homework, with answers or complete worked solutions, is given each lesson. Questions in the homework are designed to reinforce the ideas of the lesson, or they are past examination questions – from schools or from the HSC. I recommend that the homework is done at once, or, if that is impractical, that it is done when there is an examination on that topic.