During my time as a tutor with Project SLAM, I had the incredible opportunity to work with a young third-grade student, helping her develop confidence and skills in math. Project SLAM paired high school students like me with younger, underprivileged students for free tutoring in subjects of their choice. Over the course of a year and a half, I worked closely with my mentee, not only helping her understand the third-grade math curriculum but also making learning an exciting and engaging experience.

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Since I had to structure a complete learning plan, I carefully reviewed the third-grade math curriculum to ensure a strong foundation. However, I wanted our lessons to be more than just standard practice—I wanted them to be fun and interactive. Each week, I let my student choose a theme for our lessons, ranging from Disney to Halloween, dinosaurs, and even potatoes! This personalized approach made learning math enjoyable, and she eagerly looked forward to our sessions. I also assigned her homework, which she completed diligently, and if she needed help with her schoolwork, we tackled that together. Seeing her enthusiasm grow was incredibly rewarding, and I knew our lessons were making a difference when she would make a little frowny face whenever I had to miss a session.

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One of the most fulfilling aspects of tutoring was witnessing her transformation—not just academically but also in confidence. She started to love math, proudly telling me how she knew more about fractions and division than her classmates. As she mastered third-grade math, she insisted on advancing to fourth and even fifth-grade concepts because multiplication had become “boring.” We incorporated games into every lesson and used the online whiteboard feature to make it interactive. To reinforce her understanding of elapsed time, we even did a craft project where she made her own clock. These creative approaches helped her grasp complex topics more effectively, and soon, math was no longer just a subject for her—it was something she truly enjoyed.

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Beyond academics, our sessions nurtured a wonderful bond. I saw her grow from a timid, hesitant learner into a confident, fun-loving girl who wasn’t afraid to tackle new challenges. Our journey together showed me the impact of personalized, engaging learning, and how a little creativity can transform a student’s perspective on education. Tutoring her was the highlight of my week, and knowing I played a role in her academic growth and self-confidence is something I will always cherish.

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You can click on the button below to take a look at all of our lesson slides - each one with a fun theme and lots of animations too! (And if you want to teach a third grader math, you can absolutely use these slides! They work for sure!)

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