Many students struggle with the emphasis on multiple solution strategies and explaining their mathematical reasoning in writing. Word problems, multi-step equations, and understanding when to apply different strategies can be particularly challenging. Tutors can help students build confidence by breaking down these concepts, showing how to organize their thinking, and practicing the specific problem types that appear in Go Math materials.

Go Math places significant emphasis on students articulating their reasoning—not just getting the right answer. A tutor can model how to write clear explanations, ask guiding questions that help students think through their process, and provide immediate feedback on both the mathematics and the communication. This builds the metacognitive skills that Go Math is designed to develop.

Yes. With 882 schools and 12 school districts across Chicago, many tutors are familiar with how Go Math is taught in local classrooms. When you connect with a tutor through Varsity Tutors, you can specify that your student uses Go Math, ensuring they understand your child's curriculum, textbook, and the particular teaching approaches their school uses.

Absolutely. Math anxiety is common, especially when students feel pressure to explain their thinking or when they encounter unfamiliar problem-solving strategies. A tutor creates a low-pressure environment where students can ask questions, make mistakes, and gradually build confidence. By breaking concepts into manageable pieces and celebrating progress, tutoring helps students see themselves as capable mathematicians.

In the first session, a tutor will typically assess where your student is struggling—whether it's a specific topic like fractions or graphing, or broader challenges like explaining their reasoning. They'll ask about your child's learning style and what has or hasn't worked in the past. This foundation helps the tutor create a personalized plan that targets your student's specific needs within the Go Math framework.

Go Math is built on the idea that math is interconnected—that understanding place value helps with multiplication, which connects to fractions and ratios. A tutor can explicitly point out these relationships, use visual representations and manipulatives to show how concepts build on each other, and help students recognize patterns across different problem types. This deeper understanding makes learning more efficient and helps math feel less like isolated procedures.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who can support your student's Go Math learning. Simply share your student's grade level, specific challenges, and curriculum details, and you'll be matched with a tutor experienced in the Go Math approach. Many tutors offer flexible scheduling to fit your family's needs across Chicago.