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| Didax "Class Ideas" Newsletter Archive |
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It is appropriate during Math Awareness Month to consider how children best learn math. Should we teach children to manipulate numbers, or should we teach them abstract mathematical reasoning? Should they memorize or analyze? Should we use observation or direct instruction?
Most teachers know that these questions pose false choices. Children need basic and analytical skills in math to be successful. This month, read the opinion of Carl Seltzer, holder of a doctorate in mathematics with over 40 years experience in the classroom as a teacher, supervisor and consultant. |
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| Mathematics Misunderstood |
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by Carl Seltzer, Ph. D.
Adapted from Educational News Quarterly, Summer 2003
Mathematics includes arithmetic but does not stop there. Many parents believe as long as their child can add, subtract, multiply and divide whole numbers and fractions, that is all the math they need. Many parents and teachers still believe that the way to teach these "basic skills" is by drill and practice. This, according to my friend, Dr. Thomas C. O'Brien, a mathematics professor at Southern Illinois University, is called "parrot math."
In "parrot math," you tell them how to do it and then drill it into their brains until they can repeat everything back to you. I define mathematics as the SCIENCE OF PATTERNS AND RELATIONSHIPS. As such, mathematics includes more than computational skills with numbers. We often hear adults say, "I was never very good at math" or "I hate math." I am convinced this poor impression about math is due to the way we were taught, much of it the "drill" variety. Make no mistake, children need to have strong computational skills. However, as one teacher said to me, "what good is it for them to know HOW to multiply when they do not know WHEN to multiply?"
Across the country, students are being tested on their math skills and the consequences for poor performance can range from a school receiving a failing grade to students not getting a high school diploma. These tests are not just evaluating students' computational skills but they are based upon the principals and standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. These standards specify the targeted objectives of the council, which feels that all students should achieve mastery in five curriculum strands: Number Sense, Concepts and Operations; Measurement; Geometry and Spatial Sense; Algebraic Thinking; and Data Analysis and Probability. This represents a huge change from the way we learned math with a heavy focus on computation and drill.
Here is an actual example from the 8th grade test in California:
Problem: A bus holds 45 students and the school wants to take the entire 8th grade on a field trip. There are 240 students in all. How many buses are needed?
a. 5
b. 6
c. 5 1/3
d. 7
e. 6 1/2
The most common answer is 5 1/3 which may be the computational solution but it is not the answer. This is an example of how these tests are evaluating how children solve problems, think mathematically and explain their thinking.
Math Tips from Dr. Seltzer ... developing UNDERSTANDING in math
? Manipulative materials are an ideal way to help children understand concepts
? Ask children to explain their thinking as they perform math problems
? Encourage children to invent their own methods or solutions to solving problems
? Once a problem is solved, ask if there is another way to solve it!
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Carl Seltzer is the author of more than 50 mathematics books and is an independent consultant based in Florida. He received his Ph. D. from LaSalle University. He is the author of GAINS, featured in this newsletter and on our website this month. |
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| Free Activity Pages from GAINS |
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 Develop your students' number sense with Dr. Seltzer's new book GAINS (Games, Activities, Ideas for Number Sense). Click below to learn more about this great book and to download free sample pages. |
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| Great Resources for Math Awareness Month |
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 Each year people in the U.S. and around the world celebrate Mathematics during Math Awareness Month held throughout the month of April. This year's theme is "Mathematics and Art." In order to help you prepare for Math Awareness Month, we have found some great websites which provide rich activities to help celebrate math. |
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| Giant Inventory Liquidation Sale! |
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| Don't miss our giant inventory liquidation sale being held throughout the month of April. Save from 50% to 90% off all products. We will be adding additional products as the sale goes on so stop by often and save on these great classroom resources. |
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| May Newsletter Theme: Literacy |
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| Next month "Class Ideas" will provide you with great resources, ideas and tips for teaching "Literacy" in the classroom. |
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