Students are encouraged to talk to their math teacher for help, but teachers are not always available during study time. Below are some resources and strategies for you to use when you are having trouble with your homework or when you are preparing for a quiz or a test.

You can find answers to many of your questions about the Math Department and our program on our Frequently Asked Questions web page.

  • Class Notes
    Review the notes you took in class for the day. You may have examples that are different from those in the book. If your class has warm-up or starter exercises, those may also be helpful.
     
  • Textbook & Course Materials
    If your class has a textbook, it is a source of exercises, but there are also examples and explanations in the main part of each section. Read over what you find there. Look at diagrams and side notes for hints and applications. If your class does not have a textbook, the digital resources provided by your teacher should have examples and explanations that you can refer back to. Most teachers post materials for class in Google Classroom.
     
  • District Math Support Site
    The SDUHSD Math Student Support Site may be another useful resource for some classes. Please note that these pages were organized by a district math team several years ago and some of the links go to outside pages that may have changed.
     
  • Try More Exercises
    Do some of the odd exercises and check your answers in the back of the book. Try working out the examples in the book or re-doing the ones in the class notes. See if you can do them correctly without looking at the answer first. Parents may help by copying such exercises without the solution to make a mini-worksheet for practice.
     
  • Draw a Picture
    Sketch a picture, graph, or diagram to help you organize your thinking. This is especially helpful for word problems. Or make a diagram or flow chart that outlines the steps for exercises that follow multi-step procedures.
     
  • Skip Ahead
    Sometimes the exercises later in an assignment are different (not just harder) than those at the beginning. You may be able to do some of the other exercises and get new ideas for the ones you skipped.
     
  • Calculators
    Sometimes calculators can help you solve a problem. If you are not using a calculator in class regularly, ask your teacher if it is okay to use one on homework assignments.
     
  • Ask for Help
    Talk to your parents/guardians, siblings, or maybe a friendly neighbor. They may be able to show you how to do a few exercises or may be able to help you understand the explanations in your textbook. You can also call a friend from class. They may be able to give you some hints over the phone.
     
  • Study Group
    Organize a group of students from your class to meet a day or two before a test or quiz. Work on homework and review the main ideas together. The Learning Commons can be a good place to work.
     
  • Internet Resources
    There are several good web sites for support in learning math. Some teachers may list useful, relevant sites for their classes in Google Classroom.
     
  • Your Teacher
    Of course your math teacher is an excellent source for help. Check with your teacher to find the best times for help and/or to set up an appointment. Some teachers check e-mail throughout the day and may be able to answer a few questions that way.
     
  • Math Tutoring
    Math teachers and student tutors are available some days before or after school. Ask your math teacher for information about locations and times.
     
  • Peer Tutoring Center
    Torrey Pines High School has a Peer Tutoring Center for Torrey Pines students after school Monday through Thursday in the Learning Commons.
     
  • Private Tutoring
    Some students and families find private tutoring to be a helpful option. However, please note that Torrey Pines staff members may not offer advice or suggestions for (or about) private tutors. Please do not ask our teachers for referrals or advertise tutoring through them and their classes. The school newspaper, The Falconer, may post advertisements related to tutoring.