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