I remember being in 4th grade vividly. It was the year I questioned my love for Math. I knew that it was my strength before, but after this year, I was in doubt. My teacher was not a fan of Math. Her favorite subject was Reading. I could tell even at nine years old because of the difference in the way she taught each subject. Well there was a certain way that I saw math problems that she didn’t see and even though it was the right answer, it wasn’t her way so it was wrong. This is the reason why to this day, I am such an advocate for accepting all mathematical thinking. Math is abstract and universal. We teach all of these different ways to get to an answer but want students to do it “your way”. This also applies to parents. We were taught a certain way when we were younger and we sometimes push that way on our kids. My suggestion is to
- LISTEN. Listen to their reasoning.
- Make sure students SHOW their work. This is how you know what they did wrong if there is a mistake.
- Don’t get stuck in your way of thinking and think that is the ONLY way.
- If you don’t understand their thinking, look it up. We all have access to google. If they have the right answer, they can’t be that off.
The way you react can make or break a child’s feelings towards Math. Make sure their experience is positive.
Liz
