At a recent criminal justice conference, during a panel called “Communities at Risk,” one panelist said the indicator of how your life may proceed depends on how you did in 8th grade algebra. That got me thinking; what is the relationship between 8th grade algebra and a life of crime or victimization?
As usually happens when I encounter algebra, I was left with more questions than answers. But let me take a run at it. Algebra is a discipline and a whole body of study that many never master, yet many apply themselves to it. More than once has an algebra student challenged a teacher with the statement, “When am I ever going to use this stuff?” It seems esoteric. What is the practical application? It is an area of study where, for some, the easiest thing to do would be to throw up one’s hands and say, “It’s not for me,” and give up and move onto something easier or more fun. It takes discipline. It requires a “stick-to-it-tiveness” that many in our instant gratification world reject as too much trouble.
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If the messages I get at home and in the community second my adolescent thoughts on algebra, it is an easy path to forego it. And if I don’t pass it, maybe I’m held back and begin that downward spiral of underachievement.
But maybe, even more critical, does my school district even offer 8th grade algebra and are there qualified, excellent, and committed teachers to assist me? And hugely significant, what are the expectations my community and my family have for
Algebra is one of the major parts in exams like GRE and ACT so that all college students and high school students need to learn. In order to get a good grade, students are willing to spend hours and hours studying hard on things like matrices and equations. When they are wondering why they have to learn things so difficult and if this knowledge would be useful in the future time. Andrew Hacker, the author of "Is Algebra Necessary?", thinks not. In his editorial, he argues that students, especially those who are not majoring in math, should not be forced to learn high-level math. His arguments are very effective because he successfully uses logos, pathos and ethos in his editorial. The usage of the rhetorical triangle made his editorial logical,
Math is everywhere when most people first think of math or the word “Algebra,” they don’t get too excited. Many people say “Math sucks” or , “When are we ever going to use it in our lives.” The fact is math will be used in our lives quite frequently. For example, if we go watch a softball game all it is, is one giant math problem. Softball math can be used in many
“Education is not the preparation for life; education is life itself.” - John Dewey. Every year, as we enter a new grade, new challenges approach us. Eighth grade is no exception., and will be very different from 7th grade. As I enter my eighth grade school year, I will be bombarded with a variety of new experiences and challenges such as buddies, academics, and being prepared for high school. One of the most important tasks that is thrust onto me is buddies.
I also learned that mathematics was more than merely an intellectual activity: it was a necessary tool for getting a grip on all sorts of problems in science and engineering. Without mathematics there is no progress. However, mathematics could also show its nasty face during periods in which problems that seemed so simple at first sight refused to be solved for a long time. Every math student will recognize these periods of frustration and helplessness.
Math; a skill required by all and loathed by many, can be tedious enough to lull a person to sleep. Algebra can be just as dull if not more so, and is much more difficult compared to ordinary math. For an individual with above average intelligence it may look primitive
So, college algebra sucks. And I know this to be true because it has been the only class I have almost failed. I was a senior in high school when I had the horrific thought, “I think I’m going to take college algebra.” Worst idea ever. I spent the last semester of my senior year in doubt of my ability to pass the class. Thankfully, I was able to escape, what I thought was the inevitable demise of my college GPA. It was not easy, but I won the final battle to secure my title as king of college algebra. With this being said, I will show you how to almost fail college algebra.
The Algebra II course was a college-prep lecture; they were at a higher level than a general class. With the title of the course, I expected to see well-behaved, attentive learners, who were interested in mathematics. When the apprentices did become disruptive or talkative, I expected that the teacher would discipline the students by sending them out into the hall or to the office, as occurred in my high school classes. I also expected to see a teacher that challenged the students’ knowledge of the subject, and pupils who gladly accepted that challenge. Finally, I anticipated the class lessons to go as follows: collect homework, class notes which are copied by the students, time set aside for the children to practice this work via worksheets and example problems, and then the assignment of homework for the next day. These expectations influenced the ways that I observed and reacted to Ms. Stone’s mathematics
How Will I Use Math in Everyday Life All throughout the days I spent in school sitting in math class learning Algebra, Geometry, and the various other math courses, I pondered whether or not I would ever even use these math skills in my life. The sad truth is that you will most likely use most of the math skills that you learned throughout high school in everyday life. There are honestly so many different ways you can use math in life, like buying a car, your weekly trip to the grocery store, and even at home. It honestly hurts you to not pay attention because you will in fact use math in your everyday life. There are many different ways that math is used at home, just like everywhere else.
Most kids do struggle with algebra. The kids that can't learn the subject in school
One job the requires algebra is an Animator. Animators have to draw all kinds of pictures and cartoons and it requires them to use linear algebra for every movement a character or object may make. Algebra also helps create special effects to make the images shine and sparkle. The requirements you must have to do this type of job is that of course you have to have talent, some type of degree in animation, and be pretty decent in math. Animators make around $47,000 a year.
According to Nel Noddings, the main reason why students fail algebra is due to lack readiness and amount of interest in the subject. So the earlier you start teaching algebra and with using the right techniques, the better off the students will be. The best way to teach algebra is “to follow the children’s lead rather than to lead them” and use illustrations that are engaging (Schwartz and Whitin, 2000). Also, by using real world problems, the students can create their own understanding, such as making an equation. Specifically looking at Barbara Moses, the students created the equation with guided instruction from the teacher, but some students can complete these types of tasks on their own. As stated by Moses, “Algebra is essential because
Necessity is the mother of invention. During my years in elementary school, I had the poorest grades in mathematics ranging from D’s to low C’s. From honors to AP classes I’ve maintained a systematic A throughout my years in high school. I have a thumping in my head from all the stress, and now everyone says I’m very smart in math, but in reality, I struggled greatly each step of the way. I hope that my effort and passion for math will earn me a place in the field of engineering.
The first day of fourth grade, my Language Arts class read a short story in which a dog appeared to able to respond according to what his owner said. My teacher, Mrs. Hawkins, asked the class how we thought the dog was able to do that. She specifically warned us to not say that the dog understood English, because dogs clearly cannot speak. Thinking I had the answer, I raised my hand and she called on me first. I don’t know why, but I was so confident in my answer which was the dog acted the way it did because it understood the human.
As a secondary subject, society often views mathematics a critical subject for students to learn in order to be successful. Often times, mathematics serves as a gatekeeper for higher learning and certain specific careers. Since the times of Plato, “mathematics was virtually the first thing everyone has to learn…common to all arts, science, and forms of thought” (Stinson, 2004). Plato argued that all students should learn arithmetic; the advanced mathematics was reserved for those that would serve as the “philosopher guardians” of the city (Stinson, 2004). By the 1900s in the United States, mathematics found itself as a cornerstone of curriculum for students. National reports throughout the 20th Century solidified the importance of mathematics in the success of our nation and its students (Stinson, 2004). As a mathematics teacher, my role to educate all students in mathematics is an important one. My personal philosophy of mathematics education – including the optimal learning environment and best practices teaching strategies – motivates my teaching strategies in my personal classroom.
Math is probably one of the only subjects that I have really struggled my whole life or more accurately, all my years being in school. Math has been such trouble and really challenging because I cannot really remember mathematical formulas and problem solving methods. It is actually a real struggle when taking a math test or exam, especially a final exam. Trying to remember all those methods and formulas, it makes it hard to think and focus on finishing up all the problems on time. Even though I am often am