Blog-Spots
How I Was Taught Mathematics in Grade School
My reflections on being taught mathematics in school is simple.
You either sank or swam with the rest of the class. There was just one way to
learn and one way to do the math to get the right answer. There was no other
way. I am so glad school is better in that regard, students now have a chance
to learn as they would learn best.
How I Remember the Atmosphere in School
The atmosphere in school was never contentious, but you either
felt as though you were really smart, or really stupid. There was no happy
medium in the classroom. I was afraid of speaking up and making a stupid remark
or proving that I was stupid. I never felt comfortable making any remarks in
school. Grade school has changed. Students are encouraged to speak out, make
mistakes and never made to feel stupid for making any observation. The
atmosphere is one of acceptance and risk taking with school content.
My Favorite Part of Math
My favorite section of learning math was numbers and operations,
more specifically fractions. Fractions and numbers made sense to me. I guess
the teacher made an effort to help us see that fractions made up parts of a whole
number. I loved to see that it could make sense. Algebra comes in a very close
second, but algebra came in middle school for me. Oh it is fun to play with
numbers. It’s the hunt for the right answer, the checking and realizing you did
it right. I like math, okay, not really math, but I like working with numbers.
Tests, Who Wants Stinking Tests?
The only way we were assessed on math was through paper and
pencil. We either had a test or constant worksheets. There were no group
efforts, no collaborations, and rarely a moment to talk as a class. Lectures
were the order of the day, and if you did not get it, you were sunk for the
unit. Today I love the efforts the teachers go to, to teach, interact,
demonstrate, and get students moving to learn math. It has made a world of
difference in many a student’s life.
Problem Solving-Let Me Count the Ways
During school, I loved problem solving. I loved story problems and
I understood them. The more that I had story problems, the happier I was. Don’t
talk to me about them now though. Somehow getting older has wiped away the once
happy story problem ability of solving. I love working with numbers. What can I
say, “Problem solving, let me count the ways” of happiness, and of sadness in
losing that once happy problem solving ability.
Why Should I Care?
The NCTM, a national council for mathematics has helped to pull
math process standards together to make math easier and more understandable for
any learning style. It is wonderful to see that math can be learned in so many
different ways and the learning environment is just what it should be for
students today. Teachers are being taught to teach these differing ways, and
the students are responding, learning, and loving the learning process.
References
Cathcart, W. G., Pothier, Y. M., Vance, J. H. and Bezuk, N.
S. (2011). Learning mathematics in elementary and middle schools: A learner-centered
approach (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
