ARE YOU AFRAID OF MATHEMATICS?

Mathematics is a methodological application of matter. It is said that Math can make a man methodical or systematic. But why do students fear it? Why are they shy from it? It also known as Math can make students feel unintelligent, challenged and frustrated. Do some students believe that they are truly unable to comprehend Math or are thy simply frightened of and intimidated by the subject?

We as educators, of course play a vital responsibility in molding pupils to like this subject. A major factor in motivating children to study Math is that you as the teacher stay positive about Math. Now, that maybe hard if you fell differ motivateently. Another important thing is that the teacher should not put down a wrong answer. Instead, mistakes should be valued because they actually help our brains grow. We can ask the student who has a wrong answer, “Please can you explain how you came up with that? Sometimes, a wrong answer is only wrong because of a Calculation mistake.

Mathematics is abstract. It does not have a shape. Children cannot see it. They need to visualize properly for solving a mathematical problem. Visualization comes from the everyday experience and relating Mathematics with it requires a very strong trainer. The teaching system also lacks innovation. The conventional system of teaching makes math a dud and a boring subject. Several things can be done about this. One is we can tell a story. Stories are easy to remember because they are not a random assortment of information. Emphasize your main points of your lesson. Do not keep student guessing what point of your lesson is. Math was created by people for people. Math is anything but arbitrary and haphazard, through it can frequently feel that way to a student. Above all, it was designed to be user friendly. The more student can see that Math was developed for their benefit, that is to simplify their world, the more they will trust their ability to use it. Tell them some good reason to study Math. This will make them motivated because they will realize where all Math is needed. Point out that everyday applications of Math to students. For example, basic Math such as estimating prices and totals when shopping, fractions in cooking, decimals when calculating with money and measuring skills in sewing and woodwork are very needful in everyday life. There will always be some students who think that they’re just not good at Math, but we can support them and model a growth mindset to help them overcome their anxiety and push themselves towards SUCCESS.

-oOoThis

III at San Francisco Elementary School

author is Teacher