For Catherine, and all the other afterschoolers out there:
A national Raytheon survey found that 84 percent of middle school students would rather clean their rooms, eat vegetables, take out the garbage and to go to the dentist than do their math homework.
It's nice to show kids how math is used in the real world. What I don't like, however, is the presumption that it's a problem with the kids. In my son's pre-algegra class, kids are flunking and the teacher doesn't seem to be concerned.
Instead of bringing in motivational speakers, why don't they bring in speakers who can show kids that math is not some magical process that requires them to think outside of the box. That would really motivate them - understanding the material and getting good grades.
Speaking of real world applications, my son is doing something called BizWorld (www.bizworld.org) in his 7th grade pre-algebra class. Can anyone comment about the project or how to make the best of it? My son is CFO, which sounds like the position where he will learn the most. I've already talked to him about stocks, bonds, and the market.
It's nice to show kids how math is used in the real world. What I don't like, however, is the presumption that it's a problem with the kids. In my son's pre-algegra class, kids are flunking and the teacher doesn't seem to be concerned.
ReplyDeleteInstead of bringing in motivational speakers, why don't they bring in speakers who can show kids that math is not some magical process that requires them to think outside of the box. That would really motivate them - understanding the material and getting good grades.
Speaking of real world applications, my son is doing something called BizWorld (www.bizworld.org) in his 7th grade pre-algebra class. Can anyone comment about the project or how to make the best of it? My son is CFO, which sounds like the position where he will learn the most. I've already talked to him about stocks, bonds, and the market.
ReplyDeleteI expect part of it is a genetic prediposition, but all of my kids so far prefer math homework to any other homework (except sometimes reading)
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I think by middle school, most kids have been "turned off to math".
ReplyDeleteChris