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Frequently Asked Questions about Math Class

1.  When will I ever use ANY of this math stuff?  I'm never going to be a math teacher!

        My answer:  I have absolutely no idea when YOU are going to use this "stuff".  If you want me to show you were this kind of math is used, I would be glad to point out a few examples and then have you after school to explain it in further detail (most of the time the students do not vote for this option). Math teachers are not the only people who use math.  Actuaries, engineers, accountants, scientists, statisticians, etc.  all need a heavy dose of all kinds of mathematics to perform their jobs.
     The reason most students ask this question is because they feel that if it's not going to be useful in their life, they don't need to do the homework now.  They could care less about when it will actually be applicable, they just want an excuse not to do the work.  All math is applicable to something.  The point I try to make is that you need to train your mind to think mathematically.

2.  What's the point of all this homework?  Can't we just do all the work in class?

    My answer:  To teach you how to work.  We (United States) need to learn how to work hard and be responsible.   Homework is intended to make you think on your own (hopefully that is the case) and be responsible enough to complete it.  Homework can be an extension of the class or prepare for the next class. 
     I believe grades show responsibility and hard work, not necessarily "brains".  An interesting point on extra credit:  Why is it that the students who need the extra credit the most will not do it?  Why is it that the students that do not need the extra credit are the ones who do the extra credit as well?  Is someone who gets an 'A' on a report card 'smarter' than a person who gets a 'C'? 

3.  What does any of this have to do with the real world? Isn't some of this math stuff just made up?

    My answer:  All of math has to do with the real world from the standpoint of training your brain to think.  Math is a knowledge base.  From there, we (as teachers) can point out applications, but we all know there will be jobs and applications in the future that have not been thought of yet.  How do we prepare students for situations and jobs that are not "real" yet?  Teach them how to think, reason, and communicate!
     Base two (binary) has been around for a long time.  Most students do not want to work in base two because "it is stupid".  I point out that computers applied base two principles in their switches, gates, and buses.   The math came first, then came the application.  How can you apply fractions if you don't know what a fraction is?

4.  Why do we have to have tests?  Can't we just have projects and worksheets?

    My answer:   Tests are a culminating activity that really challenges the knowledge the student has acquired.  I need to see how you perform under my supervision.   Projects and homework can be copied and manipulated, but a test under my supervision is just with the student and his/her knowledge.  
     I also need to see how I am doing.    I need feedback on my teaching and which concepts did not hit home.

5.  Do we have to have homework over the weekend?  Can't we take Friday off?

    How many companies take Friday off?  Have you ever bought a "Friday" automobile?  I feel that homework over the weekend is better because the student has a little flexibility in finding the time to get it done.  My view is that Friday is a regular day and we will do regular work.

6.   Why does my child have to study these topics even though I didn't?   What's good enough for me is good enough for my child!

    So many things have changed over the last 50 years that it is hard to keep up with them.  Obviously technology demands that we change some things (like the use of a calculator).  There are newer topics (like probability) that was not taught years ago.  Students of this era need a lot better math background in a wider number of areas than previous generations.  Good notes, hard work, asking questions in class, and a phone call to the teacher will go a long ways when the parent can't help anymore.

7.  Why does my child have to work with other children?   My child is just better at working by himself/herself.

    Most of the time my students do their individual work.  There are times, however, that group work is a necessity.   Students need to be able to work with other people.  According to the articles I have read, most people get fired from their job because they can't get along with their coworkers. 
    When I put students into groups, I randomly put them into a heterogeneous group.  I don't sit down and take into account their personality or math ability.  What happens if some of them "don't get along"?  Let me ask you a question:  At your job, what happens if you "can't get along" with the person/people you are working with?   Can you just ask your boss to put you into another group?

8.  Why do I have to show my work?  Can't I just give you my answer?  I mean, after all, I know how to do the problem but it's too much work to put all the steps.

    First of all, showing the work helps me see your thinking.  Second, I can tell a lot better if someone is cheating if I can see their work (instead of just their answer).  Third, it's one thing to be able to do the math and it's another thing to be able to explain it to someone else.

(updated 6-3-99)

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