bearisgray

Way back when, we learned "arithmetic" in grades 1-6 (no kindergarden then, either), and then we got to be "big kids" and could take "math" in grades 7-12.

I went back to our local community college when I was "mature" - I was a peer tutor - and when I was tutoring someone at a "lower level" - I learned that the method that I knew of how to solve a problem did not match the method that he was learning.

So I asked the instructors if I could sit in on those classes. WOW! I learned SOOO MUCH in them - it was either never taught way back when - or I was absent those days - which were many.

Math really is useful -

Hardly anyone will admit to being illiterate when it comes to reading - even though a lot of people are.

It seems odd that some people almost brag about being functionally illiterate in basic arithmetic/math.

Or - I don't need to know anything about it - I have a calculator to do the work.

It's still helpful to know WHICH buttons to press to get an answer that makes sense!

Tartan

I am math challenged. I can do the basics but algebra is a mystery and at this point in my life I don't see that changing. Am I proud of that fact? No but I have learned to stop beating myself up about it. We are all gifted in different ways.

nativetexan

I tended to hate math but found everyone learns in different ways. Once a teacher sat with me and explained a problem in a different way than before and a light bulb went off. Duh! of course, that's it. Since then I've explained things in what ever way necessary to get it across. Works well. We all are different.

bearisgray

In 9th grade (I think), I sat through a whole year of trig - and got absolutely NOTHING out of it. I tried to read the book - NOTHING clicked. The instructor - was, for me, a complete dud.

Many years later, one of the engineers at a place I worked at spent about 20 minutes explaining the basic idea (with a circle and triangles) and then the basic idea clicked. A few years later another student (at the community college) explained SAH-COH-TOA - and another light bulb went on. Can I use trig well? No - but at least I have an idea of how it works.

I use my calculator to pull up the angles for the Triangle in a Square units.(Peaky and Spike as Doreen Speckmann called the unit.)

I continue to have those AHA!!!! moments - when I could use a concept - but then when I UNDERSTOOD the concept! - that is such a joy when that happens.

teacherbailey

I hated math all through high school because it made no sense and I didn't see the point in learning it......so of course, I grew up and found that I LOVE teaching math! Because of quilting (really because I never met a pattern that I didn't need to alter in some way!) math makes sense to me. And because of my bad experiences learning it, I teach everything that I can in at least two ways----and tell my students to pick the one that makes the most sense to their brains, because all brains work differently! All of what everybody said resonates with me.....I think sometimes our brains need to mature before we really understand things......

kydeb

I LOVE math!! I love the numbers and I love the processes! My favorite subjects in school were Math and English - which was odd because it's usually Math and Science - English and History. My career turned out to be budgets/grants/contracts. I retired from that and, after a little over 3 years, went back to work full time. I'm a bookkeeper - math rules :-) It also helps in quilting!!! LOL

solstice3

Every time you turn around they are using a different method to accomplish the same goal!

DebbieJJ

I don't see what the big deal is about which method is used, as long as the answer is correct. Some kids, young and old, seem to "get" the math in different ways (methods). Now, I LOVE math, it might take me a minute to get the answer, but I love the calculations, don't know why, but there it is.

kathdavis

Method doesn't matter, just so you know how to get the answer without a calculator. One should at least be able to figure simple percentages, division, etc. so you can make sure you can figure the best deal and that you aren't being cheated at the cash register. I've had many clerks at stores who couldn't tell if they were figuring 40% off, or even 50% off correctly. So sad. Math is a good thing!

JanieH

Geometry was always my favorite; I could just "see" it.

When I discovered quilting almost 40 years later, I was so excited because all that geometry came back to me and was so wonderful!