Math Autobiography
A math equation can sometimes be intimidating. I am running through the hallway, nearly exposed. I have books covering parts of my body. I sometimes get to the office for my schedule. When I arrive to the office for the list, the math class is missing. This used to be my recurring dream in high school. Math does not have to be scary. I recognized that I associated fear with a dislike for mathematics. It easy to tell, I did not like mathematics. When I reached the grade that required certain math classes to graduate, I finally realized I needed support. I knew I had to break my shyness and ask someone to tutor me. I broke my reservation and got a tutor. She was a college student named Sandy. According to H. Goetz (2016),
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Math is not a scary thing. It can be fun and highly useful. In researching adult learners who return to college, I found a quote by Einstein saying (2015), “Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics. I can assure you that mine are still greater.” In Einstein’s humility, it was heartening to know we all have our weaknesses. It was even more hopeful knowing his historical mathematical strengths. According to Erskine (2015), “While the overwhelming majority of Americans, 93 percent, agree that strong math skills are essential to being successful in life, nearly a third say they would rather clean the bathroom than solve a math problem.” We all know how socially acceptable and funny it is to be bad at math. Although Erskine stated it too, she is right. However, I feel the tide is turning. It is becoming increasingly acceptable to improve oneself. I am looking forward to using the EdReady program for my Algebra, Calculus and Trigonometry skills. In bringing this essay to a close, there is always a practical and approachable way to have better math comprehension. Math does not have to be scary. This is my math life
Math is everywhere when most people first think of math or the word “Algebra,” they don’t get too excited. Many people say “Math sucks” or , “When are we ever going to use it in our lives.” The fact is math will be used in our lives quite frequently. For example, if we go watch a softball game all it is, is one giant math problem. Softball math can be used in many
In “A Mathematician's Lament,” author Paul Lockhart rants about the education of mathematics in America. While much of his essay was full of berzerk statements and assumptions about the feelings students have on math, Lockhart did have some realistic views and agreeable remarks on the education system when it comes to mathematics. Personally, I did not agree with most of the claims that Lockhart made and found them to be particularly extreme and general. I am a math person. I’ve always liked math and done very well in it.
Mathematics has become a very large part of society today. From the moment children learn the basic principles of math to the day those children become working members of society, everyone has used mathematics at one point in their life. The crucial time for learning mathematics is during the childhood years when the concepts and principles of mathematics can be processed more easily. However, this time in life is also when the point in a person’s life where information has to be broken down to the very basics, as children don’t have an advanced capacity to understand as adults do. Mathematics, an essential subject, must be taught in such a way that children can understand and remember.
I also learned that mathematics was more than merely an intellectual activity: it was a necessary tool for getting a grip on all sorts of problems in science and engineering. Without mathematics there is no progress. However, mathematics could also show its nasty face during periods in which problems that seemed so simple at first sight refused to be solved for a long time. Every math student will recognize these periods of frustration and helplessness.
Math; a skill required by all and loathed by many, can be tedious enough to lull a person to sleep. Algebra can be just as dull if not more so, and is much more difficult compared to ordinary math. For an individual with above average intelligence it may look primitive
If the messages I get at home and in the community second my adolescent thoughts on algebra, it is an easy path to forego it. And if I don’t pass it, maybe I’m held back and begin that downward spiral of underachievement.
This deep dive into self-knowledge occurred when I received my first progress report for second semester Ninth Grade Algebra. To say that I was put into a space of shock and awe is an understatement; I was outraged. I was completing all my assignments and turning in homework, but my poor test grades were obliterating my grade.
Crystal Hutchison Hutchison 1 Julie Borchers IDS-100 30 July 2014 Handling Math Anxiety and Succeeding in Math Classes Math classes can make a person a nervous wreck and fearful of what will happen. Did you ever think about what could be going on? There are reasons why people have trouble dealing with any math classes and there are ways to make these feelings go away or at least even help them. Approximately 93 percent of Americans indicate that they experience some level of math anxiety (blazer).
What do you like about math? Which math books or textbooks have you read or used? Which one is your favorite? Please tell us about your math experiences (if any) at summer camps, online programs, etc. *
Math has always been one of my biggest struggles in school. Eighth Grade Math was probably the worst year of my Math career. Solving for “x” was tough, but I didn't give up and now it is much easier. Problems that require several steps sometimes takes longer than
Children, especially very young children, are naturally inquisitive and want to know as much as possible about the world around them. Preschoolers who attend private schools are exposed to an almost-endless variety of learning opportunities that not only gives them answers to questions they already have but also stimulates them to want to know more. Of the subjects that preschoolers are introduced to, math is the most important for their future academic and personal success. Math Is Everywhere While we all probably remember asking in a high school math class if we’d ever need to use algebraic equations - ever - in our adult lives, the fact is that you do need and use math on an almost-daily basis.
“Think of math as a huge boulder we make everyone pull, without assessing what all this pain achieves. So why require it, without alternatives or exceptions? Thus far I haven’t found a compelling answer.” - Andrew Hacker. People endorsing or opposing algebra in school both can agree that algebra can be difficult for many students. This does not mean algebra is hard for every students. Students should just not ignore struggling with algebra, but get assistance and help themselves become better at algebra. People should look at algebra with a perspective that some people do not have the ability to learn algebra. Some people believe algebra is the main reason for students dropping out of school. Conversely, some other people believe algebra teaches students critical, intellectual reasoning skills. Algebra is essential for life and should stay apart of education for three main reasons: teaches students
When most people first think of the term mathematics or the word “Algebra,” they don’t get too excited. Most people tend to say “I hate math!” or the big one, “When are we ever going to use it in our lives.” Knowing the fact that algebra will be used in our everyday lives whether we know it or not terrifies me. You know when you have a fear of something so bad you try to avoid it as much as you can, yeah that's me with math. Over the years in my education math have held me back, making my education years miserable and daunting. Writing about my struggles with math would allow me to express how daunting it was for me.
As a secondary subject, society often views mathematics a critical subject for students to learn in order to be successful. Often times, mathematics serves as a gatekeeper for higher learning and certain specific careers. Since the times of Plato, “mathematics was virtually the first thing everyone has to learn…common to all arts, science, and forms of thought” (Stinson, 2004). Plato argued that all students should learn arithmetic; the advanced mathematics was reserved for those that would serve as the “philosopher guardians” of the city (Stinson, 2004). By the 1900s in the United States, mathematics found itself as a cornerstone of curriculum for students. National reports throughout the 20th Century solidified the importance of mathematics in the success of our nation and its students (Stinson, 2004). As a mathematics teacher, my role to educate all students in mathematics is an important one. My personal philosophy of mathematics education – including the optimal learning environment and best practices teaching strategies – motivates my teaching strategies in my personal classroom.
Math is probably one of the only subjects that I have really struggled my whole life or more accurately, all my years being in school. Math has been such trouble and really challenging because I cannot really remember mathematical formulas and problem solving methods. It is actually a real struggle when taking a math test or exam, especially a final exam. Trying to remember all those methods and formulas, it makes it hard to think and focus on finishing up all the problems on time. Even though I am often am