Why Math Teachers should, um, speak proper!

Students can misunderstand teachers.

If math teachers mumble this is the result:

So I’m helping a Year 7 student. Smart kid. This is her test paper. 

NOTE: Students must hear terms clearly pronounced to learn them.

4. Too many different ways to do the same thing

The Complaint:…………………………………………………………

Too many different ways to do the same thing

………………………………………………………………………………………….

The Cause:……………………………………………………………….

Often, students , who are struggling with a concept, find it even more challenging when changing grades and/or schools because a new teacher uses a different method to the one they were taught.

eg. Long Division must have the most ridiculous number of methods for doing it.

Add a multi-cultural classroom and even more confusion results.

More maths news from around the world here.

eg. 2  Expand double brackets

1. X-multiply Method

This is the Method Mathspig taught students long, long ago.

2. Standard Method

Video tutorial from Me vs Maths here.

3. Grid Method

Video tutorial from 3 min Maths here.

The Solution:

Find the method that works for you. Stick with it and practice, practice, practice.

eg. Long Division

Here is the BEST EVER long division method

THE LEGO ARGUMENT:

It would be tragic IF  Lego blocks only had one solution. That is IF 6 Lego blocks could only be arranged in one way. In fact, the number of possibilities of arranging 6 blocks is MIND EXPLODING!