tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post116137459278940938..comments2023-12-24T08:35:08.509-05:00Comments on Pissed Off: Joy In Learning Math?Pissedoffteacherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07924089808582137198noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161837751166849182006-10-26T00:42:00.000-04:002006-10-26T00:42:00.000-04:00Here's the WaPo link to the original article:http:...Here's the WaPo link to the original article:<BR/><BR/>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/17/AR2006101701298.html<BR/><BR/>And here's the transcript of the presentation:<BR/><BR/>http://www.brookings.edu/comm/events/20061018.pdf<BR/><BR/>Some amusing quotes in the latter such as, "I am not saying, let us just cut them off at the knees in terms of confidence; we want really unconfident kids. That is not what I am saying at all."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161631378497696612006-10-23T15:22:00.000-04:002006-10-23T15:22:00.000-04:00I couldn't agree with you more!I couldn't agree with you more!Pissedoffteacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07924089808582137198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161631115185178072006-10-23T15:18:00.000-04:002006-10-23T15:18:00.000-04:00I stole from someone the idea that when students s...I stole from someone the idea that when students say "when am I going to use this" what they mean is "I don't get it", and it seems to be true. Relating problems to real life, when possible, rarely makes them like the problems any more--usually they like them less. On the other hand, giving them a situation that makes it easier to visualize and understand the problem better can be very useful.Lsquaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13648981928593814766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161564810480865752006-10-22T20:53:00.000-04:002006-10-22T20:53:00.000-04:00http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/educa...http://www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/education/ny-usmath194939070oct19,0,7048164.story<BR/><BR/>I hope this link works. The article was from Newsday and I know they don't keep it on too long. If it doesn't work, I will copy it and send it in an email.Pissedoffteacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07924089808582137198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161559721345781882006-10-22T19:28:00.000-04:002006-10-22T19:28:00.000-04:00I agree that the reason we ask kids to learn math ...I agree that the reason we ask kids to learn math is NOT because they're going to run around finding quadratic equations to solve for the rest of their lives. We want them to learn how to learn. The abstract but internally consistent systems of mathematics are perfect for that. And anything we can do as teachers to make that fun and engaging is well worth our time. My best teachers are the ones that created a mythology and an alternate world inside their classroom where we could focus on the subject without always second-guessing or questioning the value of the topics.<BR/><BR/>Can you post a link to the study?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161545867804660632006-10-22T15:37:00.000-04:002006-10-22T15:37:00.000-04:00Actually, that does sound like situations they can...Actually, that does sound like situations they can relate to, even if indirectly or vicariously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161537613368380802006-10-22T13:20:00.000-04:002006-10-22T13:20:00.000-04:00Logical thinking, I think, is one of the most impo...Logical thinking, I think, is one of the most important skills I teach my kids. I try to make wrod problems exciting (now, that is a challenge) by comparing them to tv shows like CSI, where you have to find the clues and get to the bottom of the case. I try to make them see that decoding a math problem is a skill they can use in almost any subject area. I just can't get excited about actually trying to come up with situations and that they can relate too.Pissedoffteacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07924089808582137198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161529011606958312006-10-22T10:56:00.000-04:002006-10-22T10:56:00.000-04:00Actually, I don't much enjoy reading Shakespeare e...Actually, I don't much enjoy reading Shakespeare either, though I love many, many individual lines and stories.<BR/><BR/>I love reading, though, and I do try to impart that to kids, largely by selecting only literature for which I have a lot of enthusiasm. I don't suppose math teachers get that option.<BR/><BR/>I do see value in encouraging logical thought, though, which is all too rare these days. And while I'll deny it if you ask me in public, I'm actually glad my daughter likes math. It's good for kids to be enthusiastic about their studies, whatever it is they happen to be studying.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161438074659522562006-10-21T09:41:00.000-04:002006-10-21T09:41:00.000-04:00I'm happy that you are happy about the circle and ...I'm happy that you are happy about the circle and can now use it. In spite of what Mr. suit thinks, I did try it. I found the kids were just too far from the board. I usually have a free for all in the front of the room. Also, since I am constantly working at the board it is impractical to stand in the middle of the room. I can see where the circle would work in different subject areas.<BR/><BR/>As for making the work relevant, I hate to admit it but most of the stuff I teach has no relevance in these kids lives. I think they have to understand that there ae some things they just have to learn. Your subject, on the other hand is absolutely necessary for them, no matter what field they pursue and in that case rlating to their lives is important. <BR/><BR/>I know how you feel about math. That is my sentiments about Shakespeare. My daughter was a math major who happens to love Shakespeare and took multiple courses related to his works in college. I can't figure out how she did that either.Pissedoffteacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07924089808582137198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29536003.post-1161434553731484802006-10-21T08:42:00.000-04:002006-10-21T08:42:00.000-04:00I always try to personalize literature, and that s...I always try to personalize literature, and that seems to help kids get into it. I hate to admit it, but I've always liked placing the class in a circle, and that's about the only thing Bloomberg has done that I'm glad about. I can now have that option, which I'd wanted for years.<BR/><BR/>I can understand, though, how it might not work for math.<BR/><BR/>I'm one of those folks with a math phobia, I never liked math, and I'm relieved I no longer have to study it. My daughter loves it, though. I can't figure where I went wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com