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Personalized Learning with AI: Helping Students Excel in High School Math
December 1, 2024
At Roots to Routes Academy, we believe every student has the potential to excel when given the right tools, guidance, and environment. But let’s face it—traditional classrooms don’t always work for everyone. That’s where we come in, using technology and innovative teaching methods to create a learning experience as unique as every child who walks through our doors.
In this article, we’ll show you how personalized learning and cutting-edge AI tools like Google Classroom Practice Sets, BrainingCamp ShortCodes, and Knowledgehook are helping us redefine high school math education for students in grades 9 to 11.
By the time you finish reading, you’ll understand why personalized learning is more than just a buzzword—it’s the key to helping your child succeed academically while celebrating their identity.
Roots to Routes Academy: A Place to Learn, Grow, and Thrive
At Roots to Routes Academy, we’re not just another school. We are a learning community built by Black educators, designed for Black students, and open to anyone who values education that celebrates diversity.
Our mission is simple: to create a safe, supportive space where every student can excel academically while celebrating who they are.
We understand that one-size-fits-all education doesn’t fit anyone. That’s why our teaching methods are personalized, combining innovative tools with culturally relevant content. Here, your child won’t just learn math—they’ll build confidence, embrace their identity, and discover their own path to success.
What is Personalized Learning, and Why Does It Matter?
Imagine trying to solve a puzzle where all the pieces are the same shape—it wouldn’t work, right? Education works the same way. Personalized learning is about tailoring lessons to fit each student’s unique strengths, challenges, and pace.
Why Personalized Learning Works
- It’s Flexible: Students can move faster in areas they’re good at and take extra time where they need help.
- It’s Focused: By identifying individual strengths and gaps, teachers can provide exactly what each student needs to succeed.
It’s Empowering: When learning feels personal, students feel seen and valued—and that’s when they thrive.
How We Use AI to Make Math Fun and Easy
High school math can be a tough subject, especially for grades 9 to 11, where concepts like algebra, geometry, and calculus become more challenging. But at Roots to Routes Academy, we’re making math exciting and fun using the power of AI tools.
Here’s a closer look at the technology that’s transforming our classrooms:
Google Classroom Practice Sets
This tool allows our teachers to create custom assignments that adjust to each student’s level.
How It Helps:
- Tracks student progress in real-time.
- Provides instant feedback so students can learn from mistakes immediately.
- Creates assignments based on each student’s learning needs.
Example:
Imagine a 10th-grade student, Sarah, is struggling with quadratic equations. Her teacher assigns a Practice Set that begins with easier problems and gradually increases in difficulty.
- Step 1: Sarah solves a basic quadratic problem. If she gets it right, the next question introduces slightly more complex concepts.
- Step 2: She makes a mistake in factoring. Practice Sets immediately provide feedback with hints like: “Remember to find two numbers that multiply to give you the constant term and add to give you the coefficient of x.”
- Step 3: Based on her performance, the tool generates more problems focusing on factoring until Sarah masters it.
By the time she completes the set, Sarah has turned her weakness into a strength, all without feeling overwhelmed or falling behind.
BrainingCamp ShortCodes
Math is no longer about boring worksheets—it’s interactive and fun! BrainingCamp uses digital manipulatives (like virtual blocks and graphs) to make abstract math concepts easy to understand.
Why It Works:
- Turns math problems into hands-on activities.
- Engages visual and kinesthetic learners.
- Makes tough topics like geometry feel like play.
Example:
Ethan, an 11th-grader, finds it hard to visualize geometry concepts like the Pythagorean theorem. Using BrainingCamp, his teacher assigns an activity involving virtual manipulatives.
- Step 1: Ethan drags and drops digital tiles to build a right triangle. He adjusts the dimensions of the two shorter sides (legs) and the hypotenuse.
- Step 2: The software automatically calculates the areas of squares on each side, showing Ethan how the sum of the areas of the squares on the legs equals the area of the square on the hypotenuse.
- Step 3: Ethan experiments with different triangle sizes to see how the relationship holds true.
This hands-on activity helps Ethan see the math, not just memorize formulas, making abstract concepts crystal clear.
Knowledgehook
This tool is like having a personal tutor for every student. Knowledgehook uses AI to identify strengths and gaps, providing tailored solutions for each learner.
Key Features:
- Provides actionable insights for teachers.
- Encourages students with fun challenges and rewards.
- Builds confidence with step-by-step guidance.
Example:
Jayden, a 9th-grade student, feels lost in a unit on linear equations. Using Knowledgehook, his teacher identifies specific areas where he’s struggling.
- Step 1: Jayden starts a diagnostic activity on Knowledgehook. The AI identifies that he understands how to graph linear equations but struggles with converting equations between standard and slope-intercept forms.
- Step 2: Knowledgehook sends targeted practice questions to Jayden’s dashboard, focusing on this skill gap.
- Step 3: As Jayden works through the questions, Knowledgehook provides real-time hints and feedback like: “To get the slope-intercept form, isolate y by dividing both sides of the equation.”
After a week of practice, Jayden’s test scores improve significantly, and his confidence grows.
Did you know? Over 48% of students who use Knowledgehook report feeling more confident in math!
Why This Approach Works for Diverse Learners
Research shows that personalized learning powered by technology can improve math performance by up to 30% in just one year.
But at Roots to Routes Academy, we go even further. We integrate these tools with culturally relevant teaching methods to create a learning environment that is:
- Inclusive: We celebrate every student’s identity and heritage.
- Supportive: No student is left behind, thanks to our data-driven approach.
- Effective: Students learn faster and retain more because lessons are tailored just for them.
Here’s what one of our parents had to say:
“Roots to Routes Academy turned my daughter’s fear of math into excitement. With their personalized approach, she’s now top of her class!”
The Results Speak for Themselves
At Roots to Routes Academy, our personalized learning approach is producing measurable results:
- Over 87% of students show improvement in math scores within the first semester.
- Students who struggled with basic concepts now tackle advanced problems with ease.
Parents report a significant boost in confidence and motivation.
What Makes Roots to Routes Different?
Other schools might use technology, but here’s why our approach stands out:
- Culturally Responsive Curriculum: Your child will see themselves in what they learn.
- Small Class Sizes: We ensure every student gets the attention they deserve.
- Empowering Environment: Our focus is on building skills and self-belief.
Don’t Let Your Child Miss Out
Every year, we see parents wait too long to take advantage of personalized learning, only to watch their kids struggle. Don’t let that be your story.
With Roots to Routes Academy, your child won’t just keep up—they’ll get ahead. Spaces are limited, so don’t wait to give your child the future they deserve.
We invite you to see the difference for yourself. Schedule a free consultation and discover how Roots to Routes Academy is revolutionizing high school math education for grades 9 to 11.
Together, we’ll help your child succeed—academically and beyond.
