Ask almost any student what they think of math class and their answer will be quite similar, “I do not like it because it is too hard.” Mathematics has a negative image by people of all different ages because many people think of it as making a simple thing complicated, but the reality of the situation is mathematics makes life much easier. Negative thoughts about math can also come from poor math teachers, weak curriculum, or one bad experience ruining the fun of mathematics for many individuals.
Being that the subject of mathematics is so complicated it takes an efficient teacher to be able to successfully teach students the correct steps in solving mathematical equations. Teaching math cannot be done successfully by reading some vocabulary words, filling in the blanks on a worksheet, and then taking a quiz, mathematics needs to be taught in ways were students get to explore problems and follow the necessary steps to solve the problem. Most importantly students need practice in math and that can be done in many different ways. Many teachers today think and teach the same way to all of their students, ignoring their individual ways of learning. “Teachers need to employ strategies that will help them develop the participation essential to engaging students in mathematics.” (National). It is also a proven fact that students tend to learn more and have higher participation when they work in groups. Effective teachers in the classroom will provide students with opportunities to work independently and collaboratively to make sense of the math curriculum in which they are learning. (Anthony & Walshaw, 2012). By working in groups students can ask questions to their peers as the arise and the students take more responsibility in t...
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...it comes to providing students with the best education possible to make them successful. Even though mathematics is a hard concept for students of all ages to understand, future educators need to prevent or eliminate the negative thoughts and feelings children have for mathematics. Mathematics is not impossible; it takes time, practice, and patience to be successful in the classroom.
Works Cited
Anthony, G., & Walshaw, M. (2012, November 05).Effective pedagogy in mathematics. Retrieved from http://www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/resources/39/index.html
Frie, Courtney. Personal Communication. January 17 2014.
Mahan-Deitte, Jennifer. Personal Communication. January 17 2014.
National Research Council. 1991. Principles and standards for school mathematics. Retrieved from http://www.fayar.net/east/teacher.web/math/standards/previous/ProfStds/ProTeachM4.htm
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