Math Autobiography
A math equation can sometimes be intimidating. I am running through the hallway, nearly exposed. I have books covering parts of my body. I sometimes get to the office for my schedule. When I arrive to the office for the list, the math class is missing. This used to be my recurring dream in high school. Math does not have to be scary. I recognized that I associated fear with a dislike for mathematics. It easy to tell, I did not like mathematics. When I reached the grade that required certain math classes to graduate, I finally realized I needed support. I knew I had to break my shyness and ask someone to tutor me. I broke my reservation and got a tutor. She was a college student named Sandy. According to H. Goetz (2016),
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Math is not a scary thing. It can be fun and highly useful. In researching adult learners who return to college, I found a quote by Einstein saying (2015), “Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics. I can assure you that mine are still greater.” In Einstein’s humility, it was heartening to know we all have our weaknesses. It was even more hopeful knowing his historical mathematical strengths. According to Erskine (2015), “While the overwhelming majority of Americans, 93 percent, agree that strong math skills are essential to being successful in life, nearly a third say they would rather clean the bathroom than solve a math problem.” We all know how socially acceptable and funny it is to be bad at math. Although Erskine stated it too, she is right. However, I feel the tide is turning. It is becoming increasingly acceptable to improve oneself. I am looking forward to using the EdReady program for my Algebra, Calculus and Trigonometry skills. In bringing this essay to a close, there is always a practical and approachable way to have better math comprehension. Math does not have to be scary. This is my math life
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
This deep dive into self-knowledge occurred when I received my first progress report for second semester Ninth Grade Algebra. To say that I was put into a space of shock and awe is an understatement; I was outraged. I was completing all my assignments and turning in homework, but my poor test grades were obliterating my grade.
Mathematics has become a very large part of society today. From the moment children learn the basic principles of math to the day those children become working members of society, everyone has used mathematics at one point in their life. The crucial time for learning mathematics is during the childhood years when the concepts and principles of mathematics can be processed more easily. However, this time in life is also when the point in a person’s life where information has to be broken down to the very basics, as children don’t have an advanced capacity to understand as adults do. Mathematics, an essential subject, must be taught in such a way that children can understand and remember.
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
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.
Crystal Hutchison Hutchison 1 Julie Borchers IDS-100 30 July 2014 Handling Math Anxiety and Succeeding in Math Classes Math classes can make a person a nervous wreck and fearful of what will happen. Did you ever think about what could be going on? There are reasons why people have trouble dealing with any math classes and there are ways to make these feelings go away or at least even help them. Approximately 93 percent of Americans indicate that they experience some level of math anxiety (blazer).
According to Steen (2012), “because it dominates high school mathematics, algebra is clearly the lightening rod for general complaints about school mathematics” (p. 2). This means that algebra is what is being inferred when referring to mathematics because it is the “mathematics” that high school students are forced to learn. The major complaint here is that mathematics is used as a “yard stick” for students’ academic progression, with standardized tests being imposed on the students, and talents being wasted due to an inability to pass a math course. The clear notion being passed by Steen is that math is not for everyone. However, academia’s like Daniel Willingham and Rishawn Biddle believe that “the very skills involved in reading (including understanding abstract concepts) are also involved in algebra and other complex mathematics” (Why Algebra Matters, 2012, para. 4).
What do you like about math? Which math books or textbooks have you read or used? Which one is your favorite? Please tell us about your math experiences (if any) at summer camps, online programs, etc. *
Children, especially very young children, are naturally inquisitive and want to know as much as possible about the world around them. Preschoolers who attend private schools are exposed to an almost-endless variety of learning opportunities that not only gives them answers to questions they already have but also stimulates them to want to know more. Of the subjects that preschoolers are introduced to, math is the most important for their future academic and personal success. Math Is Everywhere While we all probably remember asking in a high school math class if we’d ever need to use algebraic equations - ever - in our adult lives, the fact is that you do need and use math on an almost-daily basis.
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.
When I first started school it was obvious to my teacher that I was more advanced than my peers in most subjects, especially math. My teacher advised my parents that I should be placed in an advanced learning math class. For as long as I can remember math has been a fairly easy and engaging subject for me. I have had effortless classes, but do not be fooled, I have also had difficult classes. I will discuss my previous math knowledge and how it has influenced me in my current math class, as well as life in general.
When most people first think of the term mathematics or the word “Algebra,” they don’t get too excited. Most people tend to say “I hate math!” or the big one, “When are we ever going to use it in our lives.” Knowing the fact that algebra will be used in our everyday lives whether we know it or not terrifies me. You know when you have a fear of something so bad you try to avoid it as much as you can, yeah that's me with math. Over the years in my education math have held me back, making my education years miserable and daunting. Writing about my struggles with math would allow me to express how daunting it was for me.
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
Throughout the history of education, ideas and theories have changed and adapted over time to suit the needs of modern students. Through this adaptation of pedagogy includes the teaching and learning of mathematics. Pound and Lee (2011) point out that traditionally, mathematics has been seen by many as a ‘difficult’ subject that students can only master if they have an intuition for the subject. They continue to state that this common misconception should be abandoned, and every child given their chance to evolve their understanding of mathematics due to the fact that everyone has the inherent ability to learn the subject. As such, the way that mathematics is taught needs to be of consideration, and the general mindset toward the concept of