Comments on: Learn math step by step http://www.joannejacobs.com/2009/03/learn-math-step-by-step/ Thinking and Linking by Joanne Jacobs Fri, 10 Feb 2012 04:51:22 +0000 hourly 1 By: LindaF http://www.joannejacobs.com/2009/03/learn-math-step-by-step/#comment-44827 LindaF Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:37:46 +0000 http://joannejacobs.com/?p=8075#comment-44827 The procedural aspect of math is not well understood by many. Although they would not try to bake a cake that hadn't been mixed together, they have no trouble ignoring well-established procedures for solving math problems. In my Chemistry class, I point out that students need to "work" many problems, with slight variations, until they begin to recognize the underlying patterns. Those who can 'zip' through problems are usually those who have done enough problems that they recognize the type. They don't have to think about every step, they just have to apply a known process. It makes the high-stakes testing so much easier. The procedural aspect of math is not well understood by many. Although they would not try to bake a cake that hadn’t been mixed together, they have no trouble ignoring well-established procedures for solving math problems.

In my Chemistry class, I point out that students need to “work” many problems, with slight variations, until they begin to recognize the underlying patterns. Those who can ‘zip’ through problems are usually those who have done enough problems that they recognize the type. They don’t have to think about every step, they just have to apply a known process.

It makes the high-stakes testing so much easier.

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