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Algebra Solved
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Aug 22, 2019 13:52:04   #
markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ
 
elliott937 wrote:
Well, I AM a math teacher, as well as a physics teacher. The math course? It's called Math for Teachers. In our state, every future teacher is required to take and pass a test that is rather unrealistic. For example, a future 3rd. grade teacher must show master of trig functions, equations with fractional exponents, and imaginary numbers, among others. Why? I have no clue. My job was to write a course to help college students to learn all these and much more. After six months of writing, I've created this course that has been offered for two semesters, and a new third semester begins next week.

On the first day of class, I will ask: "How many of you hate math?" The answer, so far, has been EVERYONE. Why, I ask? Answer is obvious. When they studied math in high school, algebra being an example, they did not understand what was going on. So the only recourse for them was to memorize everything to earn a decent grade, with the result being not only a decent grade, but a hatred for the subject. I fully understand all this. Soooo, I promise them I will offer all the above mentioned topics, plus 21 more, IF they will guarantee they will ask questions for clarity. To assure this, they have homework to do after every class, and a quiz on that homework the next class meeting. Of course, we discuss that homework, I invite questions so they become masters of the material.

By the third week (so far, knocking on my wood desk) I will hear comments like: "I'm now enjoying math", and "I look forward to coming to class". So algebra, geometry, trig, simultaneous equations, can all make sense as long as they have a teacher dedicated to achieving clarity and mastery.

By the way, so far, every student (future teacher) who has taken that state math test have passed the test.

And should you say that I "teach the test", my response is NO. I teach the broader topics the test covers.

It is unfortunate that so many people, to include my fellow UHH members, were in classes where *mastery and *fun didn't happen. (Yes, math can be fun too.)
Well, I AM a math teacher, as well as a physics te... (show quote)


I taught the subject of mathematics for 38 years in NJ. However, I really taught the students. That is an important distinction. In HS, I failed Algebra I, took it in summer school and it took me 1.5 years to pass Geometry. Very long and involved story as to how I became a mathematics teacher. I have two Master's degrees and another 30 credits beyond. Life has interesting turnabouts. I loved my teaching career and am in contact with a good number of my former students.

Mark

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Aug 22, 2019 13:59:03   #
David in Dallas Loc: Dallas, Texas, USA
 
Stolen. I initially had some issues with Algebra, but we got over them later. Geometry and Trig were not a problem for me.

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Aug 22, 2019 14:03:50   #
elliott937 Loc: St. Louis
 
Mark, you've identified a well kept secret, so many teachers are now aware of. So many teach the 'subject', and there are those of us who teach the 'students'.

Reply
 
 
Aug 22, 2019 14:09:10   #
markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ
 
elliott937 wrote:
Mark, you've identified a well kept secret, so many teachers are now aware of. So many teach the 'subject', and there are those of us who teach the 'students'.


You & I could start a school, Elliot!
Thanks,
Mark

Reply
Aug 22, 2019 14:25:18   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
markngolf wrote:
I taught the subject of mathematics for 38 years in NJ. However, I really taught the students. That is an important distinction. In HS, I failed Algebra I, took it in summer school and it took me 1.5 years to pass Geometry. Very long and involved story as to how I became a mathematics teacher. I have two Master's degrees and another 30 credits beyond. Life has interesting turnabouts. I loved my teaching career and am in contact with a good number of my former students.

Mark


My father started as a HS ag teacher.
He then became principal of the HS.
Then superintendent of the district.
He kept to his roots the whole time and still taught a daily class on various subjects even as principal and superintendent so as to keep in touch with the students.
At his death there were 3 generations of students at the funeral, literally hundreds.

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Aug 22, 2019 14:27:22   #
markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ
 
Architect1776 wrote:
My father started as a HS ag teacher.
He then became principal of the HS.
Then superintendent of the district.
He kept to his roots the whole time and still taught a daily class on various subjects even as principal and superintendent so as to keep in touch with the students.
At his death there were 3 generations of students at the funeral, literally hundreds.


I wish I had known him!!
Thanks for sharing that.
Mark

Reply
Aug 22, 2019 14:44:32   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
markngolf wrote:
I wish I had known him!!
Thanks for sharing that.
Mark



Reply
 
 
Aug 22, 2019 18:22:56   #
hassighedgehog Loc: Corona, CA
 
In High School many moons ago I had a science major and had to take many math classes. I got C's in Algebra, but B's in Geometry. At the time (mid 60's) unless you were a math major, the highest level you would take was Trigonometry. However, much later I read a book that made more sense to me. I don't remember the exact title (somewhere I still have it) but it was something like Math for Those Who Didn't Learn it in School.

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Aug 22, 2019 19:01:19   #
PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place
 
I wish I had known that about 55 years ago!!

Don

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Aug 22, 2019 19:53:03   #
Vantheman
 
Another day goes by and I did not use algebra. Go figure.

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Aug 22, 2019 19:58:58   #
DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA
 
Vantheman wrote:
Another day goes by and I did not use algebra. Go figure.


And here I use algebra almost every day.
Everyone is different.
(And some of us are more different).

Reply
 
 
Aug 23, 2019 11:20:03   #
starlifter Loc: Towson, MD
 
Chuckle , chuckle.

Reply
Aug 23, 2019 23:22:53   #
wideangle Loc: Wisconsin
 
Or: algebra has been around for thousands of years and they still can't find X.

Reply
Aug 24, 2019 06:14:50   #
Architect1776 Loc: In my mind
 
wideangle wrote:
Or: algebra has been around for thousands of years and they still can't find X.


Those who can, do. Those who cannot, teach.
Perhaps those teaching math could not find X so they were condemned to spend the rest of their lives asking others to help them find X.

Just a little more humor. No offense intended.

Reply
Aug 24, 2019 20:43:16   #
Toby
 
elliott937 wrote:
Well, I AM a math teacher, as well as a physics teacher. The math course? It's called Math for Teachers. In our state, every future teacher is required to take and pass a test that is rather unrealistic. For example, a future 3rd. grade teacher must show master of trig functions, equations with fractional exponents, and imaginary numbers, among others. Why? I have no clue. My job was to write a course to help college students to learn all these and much more. After six months of writing, I've created this course that has been offered for two semesters, and a new third semester begins next week.

On the first day of class, I will ask: "How many of you hate math?" The answer, so far, has been EVERYONE. Why, I ask? Answer is obvious. When they studied math in high school, algebra being an example, they did not understand what was going on. So the only recourse for them was to memorize everything to earn a decent grade, with the result being not only a decent grade, but a hatred for the subject. I fully understand all this. Soooo, I promise them I will offer all the above mentioned topics, plus 21 more, IF they will guarantee they will ask questions for clarity. To assure this, they have homework to do after every class, and a quiz on that homework the next class meeting. Of course, we discuss that homework, I invite questions so they become masters of the material.

By the third week (so far, knocking on my wood desk) I will hear comments like: "I'm now enjoying math", and "I look forward to coming to class". So algebra, geometry, trig, simultaneous equations, can all make sense as long as they have a teacher dedicated to achieving clarity and mastery.

By the way, so far, every student (future teacher) who has taken that state math test have passed the test.

And should you say that I "teach the test", my response is NO. I teach the broader topics the test covers.

It is unfortunate that so many people, to include my fellow UHH members, were in classes where *mastery and *fun didn't happen. (Yes, math can be fun too.)
Well, I AM a math teacher, as well as a physics te... (show quote)


Good for you. We need more like you. I always loved math and I had some great teachers like you.

Reply
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