Better Teacher Preparation in Math
by:ROBERTO C. ABRIL
TEACHER - III, MNHS
How many percent of Filipino adults can calculate how much a carpet will cost if they know the size of the room and the per square yard price of the carpet. They are lacking basic math skills expected of seventh graders, making them unfit in many math activties. In many cases, that’s because they weren't exposed to numbers at an early age.
A new study, by researchers at the University of Missouri, showed that the most important factor that predicted math success in middle school and upward was an understanding of what numbers are before entering the first grade. Having “number system knowledge” in kindergarten or earlier — grasping that a numeral represents a quantity, and understanding the relationships among numbers — was a more important factor in math success by seventh grade than intelligence, race or income.
Children of all backgrounds can build a good foundation in math with early exposure to numbers, which should be required in all preschool classes. But less than half of 4-year-olds are enrolled in full-day pre-K programs, and only 70 percent of kindergartners go all day. What should be our task to this as a teacher?
It is Better Teacher Preparation
The most effective teachers have broad knowledge of their subjects. Too many lack that preparation. More than half of a million students studying physical sciences — chemistry, physics and earth science — are learning from teachers who did not major in those subjects. Only 50 percent of those teachers are certified math teachers especially in the elementary level.. The number is better for math teachers, as 50 percent are certified, but that still leaves million math students being taught by un certified teachers.
There were a lot of newly hired teachers did not major the math subject so still they have far to go. Training in mathematics is the possible solution so that teachers are fully equipped in teaching mathematics especially in the elementary level.Once teachers began to implement some of the strategies, they began to see real change – not only in themselves, but also in how the kids were responding."That's the best preparation for teachers in teaching math is to trained themselves and implement it in their class.
Be a competent Math teachers! Plan & Prepare .....
by:ROBERTO C. ABRIL
TEACHER - III, MNHS
How many percent of Filipino adults can calculate how much a carpet will cost if they know the size of the room and the per square yard price of the carpet. They are lacking basic math skills expected of seventh graders, making them unfit in many math activties. In many cases, that’s because they weren't exposed to numbers at an early age.
A new study, by researchers at the University of Missouri, showed that the most important factor that predicted math success in middle school and upward was an understanding of what numbers are before entering the first grade. Having “number system knowledge” in kindergarten or earlier — grasping that a numeral represents a quantity, and understanding the relationships among numbers — was a more important factor in math success by seventh grade than intelligence, race or income.
Children of all backgrounds can build a good foundation in math with early exposure to numbers, which should be required in all preschool classes. But less than half of 4-year-olds are enrolled in full-day pre-K programs, and only 70 percent of kindergartners go all day. What should be our task to this as a teacher?
It is Better Teacher Preparation
The most effective teachers have broad knowledge of their subjects. Too many lack that preparation. More than half of a million students studying physical sciences — chemistry, physics and earth science — are learning from teachers who did not major in those subjects. Only 50 percent of those teachers are certified math teachers especially in the elementary level.. The number is better for math teachers, as 50 percent are certified, but that still leaves million math students being taught by un certified teachers.
There were a lot of newly hired teachers did not major the math subject so still they have far to go. Training in mathematics is the possible solution so that teachers are fully equipped in teaching mathematics especially in the elementary level.Once teachers began to implement some of the strategies, they began to see real change – not only in themselves, but also in how the kids were responding."That's the best preparation for teachers in teaching math is to trained themselves and implement it in their class.
Be a competent Math teachers! Plan & Prepare .....
Basic Operations In Mathematics:Problem Encountered in the Secondary Level
by:PEDRO J. DE GUZMAN
TEACHER - III, MNHS
In its simplest meaning in mathematics and logic, an operation is an action or procedure which produces a new value from one or more input values, called "operands". There are two common types of operations: unary and binary. Unary operations involve only one value, such as negation and trigonometric functions. Binary operations, on the other hand, take two values, and include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and exponentiation. (Adopted from Wikipedia).
As a teacher, it is important that you demonstrate a high level of ability in basic operations in all areas of work in school. This applies to all teachers, not just those with specific curricular responsibilities for numeracy or mathematics and regardless of their chosen phase of education. One of the teacher’s responsibilities is to increase the level of understanding of students in terms of basic operations especially it stats in primary level.
But as we teach math in the secondary level you can easily noticed that almost half of the population in grade 7 cannot perform well in the basic operations in math.math. There,s a lot of factors that we can considered in this problem.
Factors that cause low performance in mathematics basic operations
1. Lack of Exercises for Basic Operations in Math during their primary level.
2. Lack of Activities in Mathematics.
3. Lack of Visual Aids used by their teachers.
4. Lack of Modules in Math .
5. Lack of Understanding in the subject.
6. Lack of Manipulative Devices in Math
7. Lack of Training's in Mathematics.
8. Lack of Motivation in striving to love numbers.
9. Lack of knowledge in Technique & Strategies in Teaching Mathematics
10. Lack of knowledge in ICT as instructional devices in teaching basic operation .
With this factors , It is a call for every teachers most especially in the primary level to innovate and take an action on this problems so that when the students step on a higher ladder which is the secondary level , they are prepare and can face the math challenges. So, let us start now..educate and motivate our students to love numbers and understand the principles in basic operations.
Mathematics in Action!
by:PEDRO J. DE GUZMAN
TEACHER - III, MNHS
Mathematics is significant in our daily lives because we use a lot of what we were taught in our daily activities. For instance tiling floors may be done by figuring the size of the area. Being able to figure out percentages can come in handy when faced with nutrition labels. Road signs and recipe books feature fractions that tell us the distance to our destination or how much of an ingredient to put in a dish. Calculating monthly bills requires math. Placing pictures on a wall and making certain they are hanging straight takes some knowledge of geometry.
This unique approach helps students increase their knowledge of mathematics, sharpen their problem-solving skills, and raise their overall confidence in their ability to learn. Technology integrated throughout the text helps students interpret real-life data algebraically, numerically, symbolically, and graphically. The active style of teaching mathematics develops students' mathematical literacy and builds a solid foundation for future study in mathematics and other disciplines.
Primarily mathematics is a way of thinking, a way of organizing a logical proof. As a way reasoning, it gives an insight into the power of human mind, so this forms a very valuable discipline of teaching-learning programmes of school subjects everywhere in the world of curious children. So the pedagogy of Mathematics should very carefully be built in different levels of school education.
Teaching of mathematics has its aims and objectives to be incorporated in the school curricula. If and when Mathematics is removed, the back-bone of our material civilization would collapse. So is the importance of Mathematics and its pedagogic. Let's Put mathematics in to action!
by:PEDRO J. DE GUZMAN
TEACHER - III, MNHS
Mathematics is significant in our daily lives because we use a lot of what we were taught in our daily activities. For instance tiling floors may be done by figuring the size of the area. Being able to figure out percentages can come in handy when faced with nutrition labels. Road signs and recipe books feature fractions that tell us the distance to our destination or how much of an ingredient to put in a dish. Calculating monthly bills requires math. Placing pictures on a wall and making certain they are hanging straight takes some knowledge of geometry.
This unique approach helps students increase their knowledge of mathematics, sharpen their problem-solving skills, and raise their overall confidence in their ability to learn. Technology integrated throughout the text helps students interpret real-life data algebraically, numerically, symbolically, and graphically. The active style of teaching mathematics develops students' mathematical literacy and builds a solid foundation for future study in mathematics and other disciplines.
Primarily mathematics is a way of thinking, a way of organizing a logical proof. As a way reasoning, it gives an insight into the power of human mind, so this forms a very valuable discipline of teaching-learning programmes of school subjects everywhere in the world of curious children. So the pedagogy of Mathematics should very carefully be built in different levels of school education.
Teaching of mathematics has its aims and objectives to be incorporated in the school curricula. If and when Mathematics is removed, the back-bone of our material civilization would collapse. So is the importance of Mathematics and its pedagogic. Let's Put mathematics in to action!
WGraphing Functions Through “Geogebra”
By: WINNIE W. POLI, MNHS Master Teacher 1
Learning is the most important thing teachers impart to every student.Year by year as school days passed, teachers aim to educate students to the simplest ways they can easily understand. Modules, hand- outs, books and many others are distributed to students for their learning and better understanding.
In Mathematics, using Geogebra- a software program designed to graph functions at exact points as an aid in teaching students in graphing functions is a great assistance. This provides more accurate measurements, perfect plotting of points and the true graph provided that it automatically displays the graph you wanted to.Teachers would build a better understanding to students regarding the lesson.This might also arouse student’s interest to listen to the current topic because of the use of software system to show the graph.They would be able to easily explain the focus of the current lesson and would fit to give more examples if students are having a hard time understanding or graphing functions.
Students also ought to explore the changes in the graphs of function when a quantity in the equation is altered through the help of Geogebra. It can clearly show the effects of changing trends and properties of functions.
It will not consume much time for the teacher’s discussion but instead, graphing and plotting of points will be faster than graphing manually that usually eats up all the time for the subject.
Student’s understanding and knowledge improve every day. Our role as a teacher is to build that knowledge with enough values so that they can use that knowledge rightfully regarding whatever path they take.
By: WINNIE W. POLI, MNHS Master Teacher 1
Learning is the most important thing teachers impart to every student.Year by year as school days passed, teachers aim to educate students to the simplest ways they can easily understand. Modules, hand- outs, books and many others are distributed to students for their learning and better understanding.
In Mathematics, using Geogebra- a software program designed to graph functions at exact points as an aid in teaching students in graphing functions is a great assistance. This provides more accurate measurements, perfect plotting of points and the true graph provided that it automatically displays the graph you wanted to.Teachers would build a better understanding to students regarding the lesson.This might also arouse student’s interest to listen to the current topic because of the use of software system to show the graph.They would be able to easily explain the focus of the current lesson and would fit to give more examples if students are having a hard time understanding or graphing functions.
Students also ought to explore the changes in the graphs of function when a quantity in the equation is altered through the help of Geogebra. It can clearly show the effects of changing trends and properties of functions.
It will not consume much time for the teacher’s discussion but instead, graphing and plotting of points will be faster than graphing manually that usually eats up all the time for the subject.
Student’s understanding and knowledge improve every day. Our role as a teacher is to build that knowledge with enough values so that they can use that knowledge rightfully regarding whatever path they take.
TIPS ON HOW TO BECOME SUCCESFUL IN STUDYING MATHEMATICS
By: WINNIE W. POLI, MNHS Master Teacher 1
As the world continuously advancing, reasoning skills of human are also progressing. It seems in order to survive, critical minds are required. Thus, Mathematics becomes predominant in our education systems. It is now considered staple in our life.
According to the famous professor Kant, “Mathematics is the gate and key of the science. A natural Science is a Science in so far as it is mathematical”.
Mathematics is a creation of human mind concerned chiefly with ideas, processes and reasoning. It is much more than Arithmetic, more than Algebra more than Geometry. Also it is much more than Trigonometry, Statistics, and Calculus (http://www.preservearticles.com/201105246938/ mathematics.html). So, learning mathematics is really necessary for everyone; however math is not as easy as history and English to study.
Mathematics is cumulative like a stack of building blocks. You have to gain understanding in one area before you can effectively go on to “build upon” another area.
You will find a college algebra class to be strenuous without fully understanding high school algebra. You can’t attend calculus class without first taking Algebra and Trigonometry class.
Learning mathematics involves actively participating in the learning process.
So here are some tips for you to become successful in studying Mathematics:
You’ve got to attend class, pay attention while in class and take a complete set of notes in scratchpads. There is no room for laziness.At home or at your free time, you have to transfer your notes in your notebook. While doing this, make sure that every expression is fully understood. In this way, you are actually reviewing your notes. Do your homework in case you have or try to solve problems in various kinds of mathematics books or trusted websites until you feel that your hands solve automatically. You can also go out to seek help to someone that is expert in Mathematics like math teachers. You can also request him to give you some problems as your additional exercises. Work out those problems then answer it correctly.
Set your mind that practice makes perfect and that nobody gets everything right all the time. If you fail, then that means you need to review all over again. Be patient, don’t give up. As the saying goes, “We have to be patient when learning. Babies crawl before they walk. And children walk before they run. We cannot do difficult tasks before we can do easy tasks.”
“Past is past.” This is one of the favorite lines of most students. Don’t let yourself forget everything that you learned. If you do, all your efforts and hardships will be just wasted. Keep reviewing what you learned every night and make this as your hobby.
Just like any other subjects, you are obliged to memorize some mathematics formulas. This will help you a lot in deciphering math problems.
Furthermore, when math test is approaching, study earlier and consult your teacher or anyone who is excellent in Math about some lessons that you don’t understand. Try to have a group discussion with your classmates before taking an exam. Sharing ideas is greatly useful.
Lastly, make sure you have a good night’s sleep before the exam. This will make you feel better and think more clearly at the day of the exam. Don’t pressure yourself too much. Just remember that it’s not the end of the world if you fail. There’s always a second chance.
Once you have your exam in front of you, look it over to see how many questions there are and what kinds of questions are included. This will give you an idea of how much time you can spend on each problem. If you get stuck on a question, move on to the next one and come back later. Sometimes a later question will even jog your memory so that you can answer the one you skipped. Most importantly, don't rush yourself (http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Good-Grade-on-a-Math-Test). If you still have time, and you are already finish, check your answer.
Learning math and working some theorems or problems really takes time but you don’t have to force yourself. Study Math slowly and you’ll soon realize the beauty of the world of Mathematics. You will soon experience the pleasure of investigating an idea, the fun of scrutinizing from every angle and the galvanizing grasp of finally having it reach your intuition.
By: WINNIE W. POLI, MNHS Master Teacher 1
As the world continuously advancing, reasoning skills of human are also progressing. It seems in order to survive, critical minds are required. Thus, Mathematics becomes predominant in our education systems. It is now considered staple in our life.
According to the famous professor Kant, “Mathematics is the gate and key of the science. A natural Science is a Science in so far as it is mathematical”.
Mathematics is a creation of human mind concerned chiefly with ideas, processes and reasoning. It is much more than Arithmetic, more than Algebra more than Geometry. Also it is much more than Trigonometry, Statistics, and Calculus (http://www.preservearticles.com/201105246938/ mathematics.html). So, learning mathematics is really necessary for everyone; however math is not as easy as history and English to study.
Mathematics is cumulative like a stack of building blocks. You have to gain understanding in one area before you can effectively go on to “build upon” another area.
You will find a college algebra class to be strenuous without fully understanding high school algebra. You can’t attend calculus class without first taking Algebra and Trigonometry class.
Learning mathematics involves actively participating in the learning process.
So here are some tips for you to become successful in studying Mathematics:
You’ve got to attend class, pay attention while in class and take a complete set of notes in scratchpads. There is no room for laziness.At home or at your free time, you have to transfer your notes in your notebook. While doing this, make sure that every expression is fully understood. In this way, you are actually reviewing your notes. Do your homework in case you have or try to solve problems in various kinds of mathematics books or trusted websites until you feel that your hands solve automatically. You can also go out to seek help to someone that is expert in Mathematics like math teachers. You can also request him to give you some problems as your additional exercises. Work out those problems then answer it correctly.
Set your mind that practice makes perfect and that nobody gets everything right all the time. If you fail, then that means you need to review all over again. Be patient, don’t give up. As the saying goes, “We have to be patient when learning. Babies crawl before they walk. And children walk before they run. We cannot do difficult tasks before we can do easy tasks.”
“Past is past.” This is one of the favorite lines of most students. Don’t let yourself forget everything that you learned. If you do, all your efforts and hardships will be just wasted. Keep reviewing what you learned every night and make this as your hobby.
Just like any other subjects, you are obliged to memorize some mathematics formulas. This will help you a lot in deciphering math problems.
Furthermore, when math test is approaching, study earlier and consult your teacher or anyone who is excellent in Math about some lessons that you don’t understand. Try to have a group discussion with your classmates before taking an exam. Sharing ideas is greatly useful.
Lastly, make sure you have a good night’s sleep before the exam. This will make you feel better and think more clearly at the day of the exam. Don’t pressure yourself too much. Just remember that it’s not the end of the world if you fail. There’s always a second chance.
Once you have your exam in front of you, look it over to see how many questions there are and what kinds of questions are included. This will give you an idea of how much time you can spend on each problem. If you get stuck on a question, move on to the next one and come back later. Sometimes a later question will even jog your memory so that you can answer the one you skipped. Most importantly, don't rush yourself (http://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Good-Grade-on-a-Math-Test). If you still have time, and you are already finish, check your answer.
Learning math and working some theorems or problems really takes time but you don’t have to force yourself. Study Math slowly and you’ll soon realize the beauty of the world of Mathematics. You will soon experience the pleasure of investigating an idea, the fun of scrutinizing from every angle and the galvanizing grasp of finally having it reach your intuition.
Problem –Based Mathematics Instruction
By WINNIE W. POLI, MNHS Master Teacher 1
The main reason for students to learn mathematics is for them to become problem solvers in all aspects of life. As a teacher of mathematics, I strongly believe that of all the learning areas in our Basic Education Curriculum, it is through mathematics where students learn to think critically and reason out logically. Indispensable skills in coping with daily activities such as calculating, estimating, approximating numbers are honed through the study of mathematics. Furthermore,exposure to mathematical problems helps students to explore on different possibilities encouraging them to apply multiple skills and various strategies , thus making them good in analyzing data which is very much important in decision – making.
However, there is now a growing concern among mathematics educators that many students today are unable to transfer the knowledge they gain to other school situations or use this mathematics in practical situations outside the classroom context. So, the main goal of mathematics education is not achieved by many students. “ deep understanding” is not acquired. Boaler, a researcher, concluded that the traditional textbook approach is contributory into this problem of students since this approach emphasizes computation, rules, and procedures disadvantageous to students primarily because it results to inert knowledge and encourages learning that is inflexible, school bound and of limited use. Hence, mathematics teachers are faced with a challenge of selecting content which will enable students deeply understand mathematics and be able to apply in daily life situations. Besides, mathematical tasks with a strong connection to today’s workplace call for students to use procedures different from usual textbook algorithms such as the use of formulas. Hence, mathematical contents must include such problems which are realistic, authentic and representative of the real world and to make impact on high school students’ lives, there is a need to shift from typical textbook exercises into contexts that promote and motivate student thinking. It is high time for us to have a paradigm shift in mathematics instruction to make learning for all students more meaningful and attainable.
Students engaged in solving non – routine problems become better problem solvers who are able to employ different strategies and become more enthusiastic and serious in solving their problems since they found meaning and relevance in the tasks. They harness their prior knowledge, make connections with their perceptions of the world and use these to solve problems that given in context. They use their intuition, create their own algorithms and plan the solutions that meaningful to them. They show their critical and analytical thinking skills as they reason out and justify their answers.
In summary, mathematics instruction can immerse students in an environment which they find interesting and relevant and provide students with problems that lend themselves to long – term, in – depth analysis at different levels of intellectual capabilities. So, we must move towards problem – based instruction and learning in order to nurture the thinking and reasoning skills of students in any ability level. Yes, mathematics education today is one that should engage learner in problem solving and reasoning to foster deep understanding and reflective thinking and prepare them for life long learning. Let us keep on motivating students to persevere in solving problems for them to sharpen their critical and analytical thinking skills and become a good problem solvers in all aspects of life.
By WINNIE W. POLI, MNHS Master Teacher 1
The main reason for students to learn mathematics is for them to become problem solvers in all aspects of life. As a teacher of mathematics, I strongly believe that of all the learning areas in our Basic Education Curriculum, it is through mathematics where students learn to think critically and reason out logically. Indispensable skills in coping with daily activities such as calculating, estimating, approximating numbers are honed through the study of mathematics. Furthermore,exposure to mathematical problems helps students to explore on different possibilities encouraging them to apply multiple skills and various strategies , thus making them good in analyzing data which is very much important in decision – making.
However, there is now a growing concern among mathematics educators that many students today are unable to transfer the knowledge they gain to other school situations or use this mathematics in practical situations outside the classroom context. So, the main goal of mathematics education is not achieved by many students. “ deep understanding” is not acquired. Boaler, a researcher, concluded that the traditional textbook approach is contributory into this problem of students since this approach emphasizes computation, rules, and procedures disadvantageous to students primarily because it results to inert knowledge and encourages learning that is inflexible, school bound and of limited use. Hence, mathematics teachers are faced with a challenge of selecting content which will enable students deeply understand mathematics and be able to apply in daily life situations. Besides, mathematical tasks with a strong connection to today’s workplace call for students to use procedures different from usual textbook algorithms such as the use of formulas. Hence, mathematical contents must include such problems which are realistic, authentic and representative of the real world and to make impact on high school students’ lives, there is a need to shift from typical textbook exercises into contexts that promote and motivate student thinking. It is high time for us to have a paradigm shift in mathematics instruction to make learning for all students more meaningful and attainable.
Students engaged in solving non – routine problems become better problem solvers who are able to employ different strategies and become more enthusiastic and serious in solving their problems since they found meaning and relevance in the tasks. They harness their prior knowledge, make connections with their perceptions of the world and use these to solve problems that given in context. They use their intuition, create their own algorithms and plan the solutions that meaningful to them. They show their critical and analytical thinking skills as they reason out and justify their answers.
In summary, mathematics instruction can immerse students in an environment which they find interesting and relevant and provide students with problems that lend themselves to long – term, in – depth analysis at different levels of intellectual capabilities. So, we must move towards problem – based instruction and learning in order to nurture the thinking and reasoning skills of students in any ability level. Yes, mathematics education today is one that should engage learner in problem solving and reasoning to foster deep understanding and reflective thinking and prepare them for life long learning. Let us keep on motivating students to persevere in solving problems for them to sharpen their critical and analytical thinking skills and become a good problem solvers in all aspects of life.