How Consistent Practice Helped One 3rd Grader Jump to the 80th Percentile by 5th Grade

What was this student struggling with?

Let me take you back to the beginning.
A 3rd-grade student came to me with significant gaps in addition, subtraction, and multiplication.

These were not small gaps. She avoided math whenever she could and relied entirely on her fingers or drawings to solve even simple problems. Math felt confusing and overwhelming, so she pulled away from it.

This is something I see often. When early skills are shaky, everything that comes after feels like climbing a hill made of sand.

How were these gaps showing up day to day?

She avoided math homework.
She froze when she saw multi-step problems.
She counted every single number on her fingers, even ones that should have been automatic by that age.

And the biggest clue of all: she did not believe she could be good at math.
Confidence showed up slowly, and only in small moments.

What tutoring approach did we use?

We began with a simple assessment to see exactly which skills were missing.
The gaps were wide, so we did not waste time guessing.

We started with weekly sessions, but once we saw how much support she needed, we increased to four days a week. Here is how the routine worked:

• One day each week: a focused, intensive tutoring session with me

• Three additional days: short, targeted practice through Boodle Learning

This routine aligns perfectly with current trends in education.
Schools and researchers are highlighting how consistent daily practice strengthens fluency and improves long-term retention, primarily when students work in short bursts rather than long sessions [1][2].

High-impact tutoring research also shows that frequent, short sessions lead to faster growth, especially for students who begin with significant gaps [3].

And that is precisely what happened for this student.

What progress did we start to see?

Little by little, speed improved.
Accuracy improved.
Confidence improved.

Her finger counting began to fade.
She started answering questions without hesitation.
During tutoring sessions, she leaned in instead of pulling away.

The most significant shift happened during the summer boost. She began explaining how to solve problems to other students. That moment told me she was not the same child who first walked through my door.

What were the final results?

By the time she entered 5th grade, she was:

• Performing on grade level

• Scoring in the 80th percentile

• Participating confidently in class

• Approaching new math topics with excitement instead of fear

She earned this through steady, consistent practice and a growing belief in herself.

A moment I will never forget

One day, I introduced a brand new topic.
She looked at the problem, smiled, and said:

"This is so easy."

That one sentence told me everything.
She trusted herself.
She felt capable.
She knew she could learn.

What can parents learn from this story?

Gaps can be filled faster than you think.
You do not need long sessions or complicated schedules.
You do not need to start over or repeat entire grades.

What students truly need is:

• Consistent short practice

• Clear, manageable goals

• Encouragement

• Someone is cheering them on

Small steps that are repeated with intention create significant results.

If your child is struggling, I can help

If your child avoids math, counts on fingers, or feels frustrated, you are not alone. These gaps are common and very fixable with the right plan.

Let’s talk about your child’s needs and build a simple weekly rhythm that actually works.
👉 Schedule a free consultation here: [Insert link]

References

[1] Best Brains Learning Centers. “Why Daily Practice Beats Cram Sessions.” Retrieved from bestbrains.com.
[2] LD@School. “The Importance of Math Fact Fluency.” Retrieved from ldatschool.ca.
[3] National Education Association. “High-Impact Tutoring.” Retrieved from nea.org.