10 Things to Do Now to Kick Off a Great Math Year

Want a great math year? As a new school year approaches, there are a few simple steps you can take to set yourself up for a smooth and successful start—especially when it comes to math. Whether it’s making sure your students know their password or reviewing online grading settings, a little preparation now can make a big difference later. Let’s make sure you’re ready to hit the ground running!

1. Start with a Smooth Sign-In ⌨️

Don’t wait until the day you’re ready to dive into lessons to log in for the first time. Taking a few minutes now to check your account, explore the platform, and make sure everything is set up can save a lot of stress later. That way, when it’s time to get started, you and your student can jump right in without any hiccups. So, dig out those login details and make sure you can access your Parent Account by trying to log in. If you’ve forgotten your password, simply click on “Forgot Password?” and follow the steps to reset it.

2. Rediscover Your Parent Dashboard 🔍

Once you get logged in, you’ll be taken to your Parent Dashboard where you can see the status of each of your students. If you need to add a new student, you’ll find those steps or purchase a Math Pass, you can find those steps here. If you need to renew your student’s Math Pass, these steps will show you how to do that.

3. Assign Accordingly ☑️

You’ll want to make sure each student has the correct course/textbook assigned to them and, if they are in the middle of a course, you will need to select their starting lesson. To learn how to do that, go here. You will also want to check which assignments and problems are assigned for Online Grading. And, while you are at it, you might want to double check the rest of your student’s course settings. There are several ways you can customize your student’s account including: which types of assignments they need to do, whether they have access to our handy online calculator, what triggers a “Trouble Spot” and more. Go here to learn more about the different ways you can customize your Student Accounts. If you’re still deciding which curriculum fits best, our new Math Match Quiz can help with that!

4. Ensure Your Students Have Easy Access 🔑

To watch videos and enter answers for online grading, your student will need to be logged into their student account which means they will need their username and password you set for them. You can find your student’s username on your Parent Dashboard. And, if you need to reset their password, follow the simple steps found here.

5. Check Your Tech 💻

Make sure your devices are ready to go and your browser is up to date. Bookmark the login page, check your internet connection and test those usernames and passwords one more time. If it has been a wee bit since you’ve been on our site or you’ve made any changes to your devices, we also suggest you go here to check compatibility between your student’s setup and our video player. If you run into any issues, this troubleshooting guide should help.

6. Get Ready to Start Using Reports 📈

Most customers rely on the email we send as soon as a student submits an assignment (which you can learn more about here,) but did you know that the Reports section includes a lot of very valuable data you can use to guide your student’s success? Indeed it does! You might want to check out this tool before your kids get too far into this year’s course. For directions on how to find your student’s Reports, go here.

7. Make Sure You’re Set to Receive Emails from Us 📧

If you have want to receive emails with your student’s online grading results, be sure Notifications are enabled on and our email address ([email protected]) is listed in your contacts. You can find more info on email notifications here.

8. Visit the Frequently Asked Questions ❓

If you have a question or are unsure about how to do something, visit the Frequently Asked Questions. There, you’ll find answers to questions such as:

• How do I change my student’s textbook?
• How do I change to odds/evens for online grading?
• Where do we go to watch the videos?

While our customer service team is here to serve you, you’ll be able to get an answer much quicker by visiting the FAQs. You can access the button at the bottom of your Parent Dashboard.

9. Organize Your Student’s Space 📘

Whether you have a dedicated homeschool classroom or your kids travel around the house with totes filled with their school supplies, organizing their space in advance will help each day flow more smoothly. No matter which course your student is doing with Nicole the Math Lady, they will need access to their textbook(s), a device with internet access and a writing utensil. They might also need other materials such as manipulatives or a calculator. The Instructor’s Guide or Lesson Plans should include a list of necessary items.

10. Enjoy the Process for a Great Math Year ❤️

Starting a new school year can feel overwhelming and stressful, but it’s also exciting and refreshing to start a new chapter of your student’s educational journey. Being able to sit next to your student (literally) as they learn and grow every day is an amazing opportunity. And, though some days might result in more tears than wins, it’s the sum of the experience that matters. Enjoy the process! 

My entire team at NTML feels very blessed to be a part of that journey. If you have any questions or need help, just reach out—we’re here for you.

Nicole