Category: Math Education

For grade school and high school, there are set educational standards for certain subjects. These are the guidelines that each teacher must follow for their core classes, such as English and math. However, sometimes teachers will try to bend the rules and teach these courses their own way. Math is a subject that may face issues when it comes to the Common Core Standards. The Purpose of Common Core Standards The Common Core Standards are in place to ensure that all children get an equal education regardless of where they are attending school. These standards are created to be consistent …

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Our brains are like computers in the sense that some things that we put in them stay there for years. Multiplication facts are like that—information that you will use for the rest of your life. This is why mastering the multiplication facts early is a critical building block for many other math applications in life. As teachers, we can become a little lazy in practicing the multiplication tables, so using fun, hands-on games can be a lifesaver for math instruction. Our students need math skills to apply to most any career choice, not to mention higher level math in high …

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When most people think of the word pattern, various repetitive wall-paper designs come to mind. What could this have to do with math? As it turns out, patterns have everything to do with math. Mathematics itself is the study of patterns. These mathematical patterns can include simple repeats, such as the repetitive nature of kitchen linoleum or children’s rhymes. But the term mathematical patterns also refers to number-related patterns. For instance, recognizing that nine is a square number because it contains three groups of three involves mathematical pattern recognition. Pattern recognition is a fundamental skill Children participate in pattern recognition …

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Most mathematicians would say there is beauty in math but beauty is subjective, in the “eye of the beholder.” However, there are compelling reasons why math and art belong together in school. Semir Zeki, a neuroscientist at University College London, conducted a study along with other scientists that found that “mathematical beauty is linked to activity in the same region of the brain as beauty from sensory sources.” The medial orbitofrontal cortex, which is the sensory area, is very active when the mathematician saw something he/she thought was beautiful. The findings indicated that beauty can be found in math as …

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Math is one of those academic subjects that many students either struggle in or disengage from. How can you as a teacher create engaging mathematics experiences that make students look forward to math class? I am glad you asked. Keep reading to find out. Create a Classroom Setting That Encourages Learning Staging the physical space, getting students to cooperate, creating a communal environment, and maintaining a positive classroom climate and culture have been suggested as four elements to focus on to create a classroom environment conducive to learning. Such an environment encourages students to be willing to try/learn new things …

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Which is better: having students use pen and paper when working on math problems or allowing them to use calculators to find the answers? Regardless of the level they teach educators don’t agree on the answer. Elementary teachers straddle the fence on this issue. Some see calculator use as a way to build numeracy. Others see it as a replacement for strong math skills. Middle school teachers fervently debate the issue for their classrooms. Although high school students may use calculators on their college entrance exams, many math professors refuse to allow the handheld devices in their classes. Johns Hopkins …

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Many students have anxiety when it comes to math. They find working with numbers stressful because of the extra care required for coming up with the correct answers during lessons. Taking a math test can cause students to lose focus, forget steps, and feel overwhelmed. Timed tests exacerbate math anxiety. Students feel pressure to perform quickly and accurately in timed math tests. If they fail at either, anxiety builds. The test-takers don’t want to be embarrassed in front of their peers. They don’t want to feel as though they are failing. Timed tests Setting testing time limits is nothing new. …

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Math anxiety is a real issue in many classrooms. Some kids will tell you they hate math, and that may be true. There are also students in your classroom who feel overly anxious every time you begin math instruction. Their hands become clammy, their breathing changes, and they may panic. Your students may be feeling anxious about solving problems in math if they exhibit any of these signs: Acting out. If taking out the math books sparks disruptive behavior, students with math anxiety may be trying to create a distraction, hoping you’ll send them out of the room. Subject avoidance. …

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