fractions? For most people it was not a happy experience.
For new teachers, facing a room of young faces, teaching
math can be intimidating. The first step is to set aside any
emotional reactions based on your experiences, and approach
it fresh, with an open mind.
Perhaps more than other subjects there are a huge number or
misconceptions about teaching math and hopefully this
article will dispell 'myths about math.' Lets look at a few:
1. Math ability is inherited. Perhaps this comes from our
"genius parents produce genius children" myth, which has
absolutely no basis. Confidence is very important for math
just like anything else. Most students that apply
themselves, are reasonable confident and with average
intelligence do well in math.
2. You don't need to study for math. Somehow math is
different! Really! Wouldn't that be nice! Unfortuneatly,
here in the real world, math is just like any other subject
and requires study and practice.
3. Boys are better mathematicians than girls. This is pure
gender-based stereotyping, which has no basis.
4. If you don't know how to solve a problem after you read
it, you probably can't solve it. Solving math problems is
just like solving any type of problem. It is a process where
different approachs must be tried and intuition and
creativity play a part. When you learn how to swim, you
start at the shaloow end of the pool.
5. Logic is needed for math and intuition is not needed.
Inuition is one of the most important aspect of problem
solving. Everyone has intuition, we just haven't learned to
use or trust it.
6. Logic is needed for math not creativity. It requires
imagination, intellect, intuition, and aesthetic about the
rightness of things.
7. There is one right way to get the right answer. Math
problems can be solved in a variety of ways. There is no
best way.
8. Counting on your fingers is bad. Counting on fingers
shows an understanding of arithmetic, rather than memorized.
Learning math is more important than ever in today's
technologically advancing world. Technology requires that we
solve more difficult and complex problems all the time.
Thinking clearly about math yourself is the first step in
teaching children to also thinking clearly about math.
Brian Stocker has written widely on teaching and teachers. Visit his
math site at http://www.math-lessons.ca