This statement may seem shocking. Some people may believe that this statement is threatening the existence of civilization. Without the most up-to-date math textbook, how will anyone learn mathematics? It is easy. It’s the same method people learned mathematics before modern education, in that they practice math every day. Some may wonder. “Is that possible?” “Would it work?”It is my belief. This is why I said it when asked about my book. “Math is Child’s Play”was to become a Math Textbook. Let’s be fair and look at the two sides. School math or everyday math?
Let’s start with school math. Math Anxiety is something that I am currently studying. A growing number of people say they hate math. These are the same people who were also taught math at public schools. What year did math anxiety first start? We don’t know for certain. What is important, however, is the fact that it has been increasing rather than decreasing. It continues to rise despite modern education systems, New Math and new teaching methods. This is despite all of the energy and money spent towards solving the problem. A book was found, just for record. “Mathematics; A Human Endeavor”Harold R. Jacobs copiedrighted 1970. In its preface, the author refers to the school’s failure with New Math. This 1964 book is titled “Mathematics for Elementary Teachers”Ralph Crouch and George Baldwin wrote this book to help elementary teachers who were expected to be able to teach mathematics despite not having any math training.
Marilyn Burns, an internationally recognized math expert has addressed math anxiety since 1970, when she published her first book. “I Hate Mathematics”Right through her most recent book “Math; Facing an American Phobia”1998. In the second book, math anxiety is described as an increasing phenomenon. More recently “Math for the Anxious”Rosanne Proga (copyrighted 2005) is clear on math anxiety and the causes. All this math anxiety is great, at least for math textbook companies. Math anxiety is a major selling point for math textbooks. The parents are worried that their kids will learn mathematics differently than they do. Teachers call for better ways to teach mathematics. This is great news to math textbook companies. It is bad news for us all.
Let’s now look at the opposite side. It is possible to use math every day in your daily life, whether you are running your business or home, working on projects, and so forth. Does this sound possible? This is what I think it is. It’s already happening, without anybody being aware. My daughter said she hated math. Yet, she does math every day with Neopets. It wasn’t really math, she told me. What kind of math did it contain? She probably meant it was not’school math. One of my friends was an airline pilot, who spent a lot of time explaining the calculations that she had done in her head to be able to fly the plane. She later confessed she didn’t like math at school. It wasn’t something she was good at. She was incapable of even balancing her personal checkbook. She was not able to balance her checkbook. She stated: “It’s just a formula that I plug numbers into.”Marilyn Burn shares a story similar to that of an interior decorator who not only could estimate the price for a room but was also unable to do basic math. These people are capable of doing all the math they need in their day, but can’t do school math. This is because they probably learnt this math while working, so it doesn’t apply to school math.
Learning math is most effective when it’s done in real-world situations. This may begin with counting cookies from your mother. You may compare the numbers you received with your brother’s. Quickly, you learn how to determine if your brother got more than you. You then watch Mom cut up the cake or pie. You calculate the number of pieces that each guest can have. Then Mom comes in and says how many. Next, you will calculate the number of pieces you can get tomorrow after all your guests have left. Although this is an easy scenario in real life, how many math concepts have I covered? Your children will learn these skills. Have you ever watched your children sort through Halloween candy? To see how her progress was made, my child sorted and counted. It’s a wonderful time to learn about taxes. The sweet earnings should not be limited to the children’s favorite candy. Uncle Sam gets his share of the profits before you see a penny.
Learning math is easier when you are playing. For learning angles and force, I enjoy playing miniature golf and billiards. This may all sound familiar to Physics and Newton’s Law of Relativity. This is true, however there are better ways to learn math and geometry than by using practical applications. Playing is the best way to learn. Here’s another example of real-life math. It’s a joy to play games. You name it; board games, card games, strategy games. Anything that challenges my mind and helps me solve problems, it’s great. Games like Nim, checkers, chess, mancala, Stratego, Battleship, Risk, etc. They help to develop strategy and logic. Uno (Skip-bo), Set and Rummikub are all games which help children to recognize patterns. Scrabble and gin rummy games help children to practice multiplication.
Let’s not get bogged down with games. Do a project such as decorating a room if you are interested in learning math. From calculating paint and wallpaper to sewing drapes to placing the furniture, and calculating material, do it all. You will need to design a new kitchen cabinet layout. This includes calculating the dimensions of your cabinets, how you want them placed, and how much it will cost. You can build a drop desk, a swing set or go-cart. You might also consider a project in sewing and baking. You will need to prepare for the dinner party. This includes shopping, setting up seating arrangements and cooking. Track your stocks for up to a year while you paper trade them. You can start an eBay company. It’s amazing! Wow! It is possible, and it is real.
Learning math is a natural part of everyday life. However, math anxiety is deeply rooted in modern education systems. Non-math experts are teaching mathematics as though they were specialists. Problem is math textbooks which present mathematics in an artificial, rigid way. Marilyn Burns book is a favorite of mine. “Math; Facing an American Phobia,”It seems she didn’t see the right conclusion. Ms. Burns still tries to fix the problem. To me, it seems obvious that we need to get rid of the system and start learning mathematics in our daily lives. Therefore, I stand behind my statement “The Last Thing the World Needs Is Another Math Textbook.”