Some Thoughts About Teaching and Learning Mathematics
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Math Myths That Many of Our Students Believe Boys are better at
math than girls. Math requires logic, not intuition. Math is not
creative. It is more important to get the right answer than to
understand the problem. Its important to get the answer exactly
right. There is a best way to do math problems. Some people are
math people and others arent. Mathematicians do problems quickly,
in their heads. Math requires you to memorize a lot of stuff. Math
is done by working intensely until the problem is solved.
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Math Myths Students Believe Translated into Teenage Thought Im
a girl, so I cant be good at math. It wouldnt be cool. Im not Spock
or a nerd, so math isnt for me. Math is dry and boring!!! Why do I
have to show my work when the teacher only marks it right or wrong?
The calculator has nine decimal places, so I should write all of
them down. Boys are better at math than girls. Math requires logic,
not intuition. Math is not creative. It is more important to get
the right answer than to understand the problem. Its important to
get the answer exactly right.
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I have to do it the teachers way or its wrong. Its okay to be
bad at math. I come from a long line of non-math people its just
not in my genes! If you cant do math fast and in your head, youre
not smart at math. I have this whole list of formulas that I have
to know for the test help!! Ive worked on this forever and I cant
figure it out. I must be stupid! There is a best way to do math
problems. Some people are math people and others arent.
Mathematicians do problems quickly, in their heads. Math requires
you to memorize a lot of stuff. Math is done by working intensely
until the problem is solved. Math Myths Students Believe Translated
into Teenage Thought
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Math Myths Students Believe The Response If you dont know how
to refute these myths, then check out Twelve Math Myths:
http://www.morton.edu/success_keys/12_Math_Myths.asp?nav_id=a0_7_1
http://www.morton.edu/success_keys/12_Math_Myths.asp?nav_id=a0_7_1
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Common Teacher Beliefs Most teachers believe that...
Mathematics is essentially a vehicle to model the real world
Ability in mathematics is innate More than one representation
should be used in explaining a mathematical concept Their subject
area is highly sequential and static Students should be grouped by
prior academic achievement in order to get better benefits from
instruction Students learn in a passive manner from reacting to
external forces rather than in an active manner as a producer of
their own knowledge
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Teaching To The Analog Brain In The Digital World
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Stand and Deliver I have heard of the Common Core State
Standards and I have seen the document that contains them. I have
read the Standards for Mathematical Practice. I have read (or at
least skimmed) the Common Core Standards for the course I will be
teaching (Math I, Math II, or Math III). I have read parts of
NCDPIs unpacking of the Common Core Standards. I have read all 93
pages of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
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Common Core Shifts Focus Coherence Rigor Narrow Deepen Critical
Areas Connections Vertical Alignment Conceptual Understanding
Procedural Skill Application
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Focus Coherence Rigor We designed sessions to be specific to
each course the first half of the week We will model deepening with
Rich Tasks and Investigations We chose content from Critical Areas
We strategically embedded PLT Time so that you can reflect and make
connections between what you learn in each session We designed
Vertical Alignment Sessions to help you make connections with
content We will focus on mathematical discourse as a means of
connecting Conceptual Understanding and Procedural Skill We have
chosen problems that model mathematics in context We will discuss
how to assess student understanding of concepts
Modeling Algebra Functions Geometry Number & Quantity
Statistics & Probability
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Proof Formal vs. Informal Proving Theorems vs. Proving
Relationships
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Spiraling of Concepts
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Math Discourse
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Core Plus and Core Math Tools Stephanie Buckner, Buncombe
County Schools
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CMAPP 2013-14
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Wrap-Up
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Reminders & Info Sign in daily! both AM and PM Sign-up
sheets for the Vertical Alignment sessions will be placed in the
locker bay of the 2600 hall See Christina for sub forms Be nice to
your presenters they have been working hard to make this week
purposeful & successful! Parking Lot in each room for questions
& issues that may arise Thank Heritage folks for hosting
whenever you get the opportunity Friday afternoon PLT session will
start in the Media Center
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Final Thought Common Core is not just a rearrangement of the
same old content standards, but a serious endeavor to redefine the
way we teach and learn mathematics in the United States. So it is a
journey for us all teachers, administrators, students, and parents.
And as with any journey worth taking, it will take time. So be kind
to yourself, and to your students.
