Set the groundwork for the math skills you want your students to learn. Most hands-on trade programs also require some classroom hours. Use some of these hours to introduce mathematical concepts necessary for upcoming math problems you will be encountering while working on cars.
Show students how to solve a math problem using step-by-step instruction. For example, when showing students how to find the percentage of a reading taken off of an engine cylinder, show them the reading (180) multiplied by the percentage you'd like to find (25 percent, or 0.25) will give you your answer (45). Do this for all cylinders in the engine.
When explaining the steps of the problem, write them down on a whiteboard or a chalkboard for students to have a visual representation of the problem.
Connect the math concept to the trade. Using our example, finding percentages of numbers is useful in diagnosing engines that need repair. Cylinder compression readings should not vary more than 25 percent between the highest and lowest reading.
Bring the students into the shop to put their learning to use. In our example, have them check the compression readings in an engine, find the percentages and compare them to see if they vary more than 25 percent between the highest and lowest reading.
Reinforce new concepts with practice. Have students complete word problems that give scenarios from the shop to have them practice their math skills.
Follow up the classroom teaching and the in-shop practice with a reflective lesson on why it was important to use math in the shop. Have the students discuss what they had to do to diagnose the engine, and what math concept was used.