Re: meeting the needs of today's students
Wayne Mackey (wmackey@COMP.UARK.EDU)
Mon, 3 Feb 1997 14:29:12 -0600
>>In a message dated 97-01-29 12:07:44 EST, dwhitfie@warrior.mgc.peachnet.edu
>>(Donna whitfield) writes:
>>
>><< if we are going to fix the problem it must be addressed at the
>> elementary level. Attitudes are developed at an early age and are very
>> difficult to change later life. >>
>>
>>I agree. I heard that the majority of students have decided whether or not
>>they are good at math by the 3rd. grade--and that this decision is very
>>unlikely to change in their later years of school.
>>
>>Are there any elementary school teachers on this list who could sare their
>>experiences with us? Thanks...
>>
>>
>>Mark Harbison
>>Whittier, CA
>
>Mark,
>
>I am not an elementary school teacher. At this time I am a graduate student
>in mathematics and I graduate teaching assistant. I have taught high
>school and community college in the past. My experience with elementary
>teachers has been from my neice. Coming home to me in the 3rd grade
>telling me that her teacher and all her classmates hated math. The teacher
>had related this to her students! I was appalled! My sister stopped me
>from calling the teacher, I wish I would have done so. The next year my
>niece came home once again from school, disgusted because her teacher could
>not tell her why she could not divide by zero. The teacher said "Just
>believe me, you can't". It took me about 2 minutes to explain it to her
>with a simple example and she understood. The next day she returned to
>school and proceeded to explain it to her teacher!
>
>I am currently teaching a class called "Mathematics for Elementary
>Teachers". I am worried about the attitudes of some of my students with
>teaching math. I would not want them teaching anyone I know math!!! They
>just want to "get through the class". My niece, now 15, still loves math.
>She will be taking AP Calculus when she is a senior in high school. I am
>glad I was able to have a positive effect on her while she was still in
>elementary school. It worries me when I think about the children that do
>not have someone at home or in school that loves (I would settle for even
>liking math or putting on a good act!) Attitude of the parents and
>teachers is so imprortant!
>
>If anyone has any ideas I can pass onto my students that are our future
>elementary teachers, I would appreciate what you have to offer. I try to
>show them all the joy and love I have for math, make it exciting and fun.
>I can only do so much, the rest is on them to change their attitude.
>
>Thanks. I am a new subscriber and am enjoying your discussions.
>
>Jodi Cotten
>
>Jodi
>jodi@primene.com
>Galations 5:22
Jodi,
Make sure that those who JUST want to get thru the class, don't.
wayne
Wayne F. Mackey
SCEN #301
University of Arkansas
(501) 575-7661
wmackey@comp.uark.edu