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