Tuesday, July 31, 2012

A statement of pedagogy...





Make, fix and create...


K P in VT said...

I had a terrible time with math throughout my schooling. I could not memorize the multiplication tables so came up with my own roundabout way of getting to the answer multiplying by ten and subtracting. 7x7=?. 7x10=70-21=49. Algebra was much worse. No one could tell me what it was for. Even with tutoring as an adult it still makes no sense to me and has limited me to the point it has kept me out of classes at a community college. It's OK to delte this.

Doug Stowe said...

Teaching and learning math and algebra are significantly easier if done hands-on. Mt daughter learned Algebra in 6th grade at Clear Spring School using sticks. Many teachers have gone through the motions of teaching math while many students like yourself have been allowed to fall through the cracks. I was taught Algebra without ever learning that it could be useful for something. Having a clear use makes it interesting, relevant and much more easily learned. So I advise not giving up on Algebra, but teaching it in a manner that gives it relevance and use. Building a boat, for example.