"Math is Everywhere!"

Whether we like to admit or not, math is everywhere! Rather than being afraid, it is best to embrace math for the importance it has in everyday tasks. The following are examples of math being used in everyday scenarios:

1. Cooking or baking: Doubling a recipe to accommodate for the number of guests arriving at a party. Here the mathematical strand focused on is proportions and measurement.
2. Estimating time: Before heading out the door for an important meeting, you have to be aware of both the time and distance in order to estimate an appropriate arrival time. The strand focused on is estimation, time and measurement.
3. Nature: The pattern on a butterfly’s wings, and the formation a snail’s shell both include patterns that can be studied in mathematics.
4. Architecture: The geometric patterns and symmetry found within buildings and structures, alludes to the importance of studying these strands in math.
5. Grocery store: Comparing unit prices to opt for a cheaper buying options, is useful when educators teach the rates and ratios unit.  

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All these areas require an understanding of mathematics and making connections among the big ideas. If students understand the importance of math, they will be more engaged when learning the various concepts. This idea connects back to first week’s lesson about teaching students to have a growth mindset in math. The way educators can ensure students open their minds towards math is to give them real-life math scenarios that they can relate to.  When students visualize themselves using the learned math concepts in the future such a splitting a bill; they begin to invest their time in being engaged in the mathematical process. They see purpose of figuring out math as it answers their question, “What’s the point of this?”

Assessments:

Assessments are an important factor to consider when teachers are lesson planning daily. A successful assessment allows for adequate feedback which gives students a chance to make adjustments.. This helps them to achieve growth and success in their learning. I found it interesting that teachers do not have to complete questions that were not fully answered on a test or assignment. In the past I always felt it was necessary to provide students with the correct answer to help them understand the question better. However giving them the opportunity to redo those parts is more beneficial and allow for a better learning experience.

Fair assessments, along with purposeful math questions positively fuels a child's natural curiosity and keeps them coming back for more.  

Thanks for reading this week's blog post, and I look forward to reading your comments!             

- Nuha