Today your mission is...
Before starting something today, ask yourself “What is it really all about?”
Ready, Set, Go
This question helps you make or recall the list of things that matter the most to you. It is a value affirmation question. Affirming your values before an activity gives you emotional support. It reduces anxiety and increases the will to persevere. But did you know that value affirmation also helps with problem-solving and with computational accuracy? Learn more at the Brilliant Report.
With kids, value affirmation can be as simple as recalling their favorite things before or during math activities: puppies, snowflakes, superheroes… Listen to the song from The Sound of Music for more ideas.
When working with grown-ups, we usually ask them to share their dreams. We’ve found that adults often share dreams together with worries. Not wanting to repeat past negative experience can be a powerful value affirmation.
As we plan activities for kids, it helps to keep dreams in mind. So here are two questions to get you started:
1. When it comes to your children and learning mathematics, what are your dreams? What is it really all about?
2. Imagine that your math dreams for your children came true. How do you see your children learn multiplication, and use multiplication?
Respond below!
Answer by jbrabham · Apr 07, 2014 at 02:31 PM
1. In teaching second graders, I have been a little shocked to learn about the already fixed attitudes towards math. Some students think they are great at math and love it. Some think they are better at it than they actually are. Some think they stink at math and will never be good at it. I hate that at such a young age these kids have such firm attitudes. My dreams for these kids is that they learn to love the challenge of a problem, that they recognize that they use math all the time and that just because they don't know something it doesn't mean they will never know it. I want them to develop perseverance and determination. I want them to learn how to collaborate and problem solve with their friends / classmates. I have a lot of dreams for my students!
2. I want my students to use multiplication to simplify and solve problems. I want them to recognize patterns and see that those patterns are multiplication. I want multiplication to be a tool that the students automatically pull out to solve larger, more complex and daily problems.
Answer by cleabz · Apr 07, 2014 at 03:55 PM
1) My dreams include that my children would be excited by math, both the wonder of the universe like the Fibbonacci sequence and also just the fin of computation. That they would feel confident in relating to math. That they would feel safe enough to fail and try again.
2) They would easily use multiplication and division a the store, in the garden, in cooking, etc. They might find a way to practice or play with computation in the way that fits their learning style best (computer game, worksheet, whatever) and choose to do that themselves. We learned the facts of multiplication through word stories, but I would like to see the fun of that journey spreading into other uses of multipilcation and math in general.
Answer by erinscannon · Apr 07, 2014 at 03:55 PM
1. I want them to have math confidence and never fear "getting the wrong answer." I want them to see math as fascinating and something they can understand and use. I want their first reaction to a difficult problem to be "let me see what I can do with this" rather than "I don't know how to do this." I want them to see math very broadly and its uses in the world around them. I don't think all of my children will necessarily want or need to take advanced levels of college math (e.g., math for engineers or math majors) but I want them to have the solid foundation necessary in case they want to.
2. I'm not sure I understand the connection you are making between imagining my math dreams for them coming true and how I see them learning multiplication and using it. Currently, I see them learn it as rote memory at times, but I also see them understanding certain multiplication "facts" in relation to other facts. I think their experience with multiplication does, in many ways, reflect my current dreams -- they don't have anxiety about it. (Actually, I have a bit of anxiety whenever my kids over 3rd grade still get some of the facts wrong now and then -- and I wonder if I should have taken the "drill and kill" route -- but I usually get over it fairly quickly.)
Answer by rachelsnowden · Apr 07, 2014 at 06:23 PM
I hope my children will be curious and delight in learning and engage eagerly and competently at problem-solving. I want them to be able to use math competently for practical and real-life applications, but I would really love for them to just enjoy mathematical problems and concepts just for the fun of them, even if they don't have a direct application. I do hope that it will develop in them a framework for problem-solving that will help them to maybe one day analyze and solve everyday problems but also bigger problems in the world around them.
This is spot on. My parents left me be very independent in learning. Subjects that posed difficult unfortunately I never master. I want my children to find the mathematics around them and how things are made. Great comment.
Answer by nabennett · Apr 07, 2014 at 08:26 PM
1. My children are young (8 and 4) and my dream is that learning mathematics and manipulating numbers is done in a deep and meaningful way through natural learning such as learning to walk or ride a bike. That math concepts are absorbed and become intrinsic for them, they have no fears around maths, it's just another concept they learn and they are confident problem solvers. That they can appreciate the beauty of mathematics as well as some of the applications.
2. I would see my children happy and enjoy playing with patterns, shapes and numbers and to "discover" multiplication for themselves. To enjoy finding the many ways multiplication can be expressed and to want to explore further. To understand the usefulness of multiplication in everyday lives.
Answer by Joyce · Apr 07, 2014 at 02:31 PM
1. I want them to have fun and enjoy delving into mathematical ideas and enjoy tackling a difficult problem even if they don't get a satisfying answer right away. I want them to be able to use math and never feel fear when a question involving math arises.
2. This one is harder because I have students that are long past "learning multiplication." I want them to have an understanding of multiplication that allows them to use it in all of it's varied forms, and for them to understand the concept as broadly as they can.
Answer by seb612 · Apr 07, 2014 at 02:31 PM
1. My dream is that it wouldn't be something painful and aggravating for both of us. I want it to be fun and natural, which is why I'm taking this class :-)
2. I've always been pretty quick with computation in my head. I imagine my kids getting to the same spot, but maybe without such a heavy flashcard use. I see them figuring out daily math situations without always pulling out a calculator, and being able to proceed in math with a strong basis.
Answer by mistermarty · Apr 07, 2014 at 03:55 PM
Answer by Marissa · Apr 07, 2014 at 06:23 PM
1. I want my children to have the deeper math understanding and skills to allow them to do well in math at any level. I do not want them to be held back from any career choices because of difficulty with math. 2. I imagine my children learning multiplication by understanding it, not through memorization, and being able to use it any time it may be usefull.
Answer by oxanavashina · Apr 07, 2014 at 06:23 PM
1. I want my kids to learn and use math as they would learn a language. I want them to understand the concepts and use them as they would use the words and expressions to build their own 'sentences'. I want them to enjoy the road that leads (eventually) to a solution, to see the beauty of reasoning. I want them not to be looking for the 'right' answer, but be free and constructive.
2. I see them looking for multiplication in daily life, looking for patterns, making what they have discovered their own and using it in their games.
Answer by Charasdoodle · Apr 07, 2014 at 06:23 PM
I have a dream that all children will walk hand in hand while doing challenging problem solving in confident, fun and creative ways.
If this was to come true... So many doors would open for them.
Answer by Elizabeth02 · Apr 07, 2014 at 06:23 PM
1. My dream for my sons is that they will be able to see connection across mathematical applications, not just isolate techniques. I want them to see math in life and all around them.
2. My son can already multiply (he has not memorized the tables however, he just does it all in his head), but I don't know that he sees the applications of it, and I'm not certain how well he applies it. I want him to play with it and use it, not simply know how to do it. I also want him to see the application of the process to more than just the 2 through 12 tables.
Answer by cpw · Apr 07, 2014 at 06:23 PM
My hope is that my children will develop a healthy relationship with math. I want them to embrace the beauty, and the challenges, that working with numbers can bring. I dream for them to develop a rich, and true understanding of basic math so that if they wish to study advanced math, or science, they can do so with gusto and confidence. Right now we are doing multiplication with our seven and a half year old. There is a level of rote memorization, but every day I try to stress what is really and truly going on. I hope that my children learn what multiplication truly is so that they can apply it to their lives every day. Right now we are planning a garden, and I am showing them how multiplication is used. I am not very creative though, so I am hoping that this course helps me demonstrate the beauty of math in new ways for my kids.
Answer by fcogan · Apr 07, 2014 at 06:23 PM
I hope that my grandchildren can enjoy life to the fullest with a strong positive attitude. Mathematics is weaved into the fabric of life and should be fun like any game is to a child. It should foster and encourage curiosity in initially learning the basics and then building on that foundation to explore the multiple facets of mathematics and its infinite applications. I am constantly encouraging and teaching my grandchildren to enjoy numbers and there usefulness and am looking for more ideas to help - ages 6 months to 4 years.
I can see them learning initially by learning how to group and expand various objects such as toys - lego blocks, cars, planes, etc.. Initially, at their ages, they will hopefully apply multiplication ideas in their play, reading and interactions with others.
Answer by jasongipson · Apr 07, 2014 at 08:26 PM
1.) I want my son (and my students) to truly understand what he is doing when he does it. Sure, at some point, certain computations should become automatic (from memory), similar to speaking a second or third language, but If someone asks him why a certain [computational] problem yields a specific answer, I want him to be able to give his own, valid, rational explanation. I want him to have this understanding, because I believe it is truly empowering and opens up a world of opportunities for his future.
2.) I see my son using multiplication for fun (creating and/or playing games), for solving all sorts of problems more efficiently, and ideally as a foundation in math, science or art to create something in the future that none of us have ever seen before.
Answer by jaimes · Apr 07, 2014 at 08:26 PM
My 9yo daughter has been known to have math meltdowns. Since we started homeschooling last year, these have lessened considerably, but a math phobia remains. It doesn't help that her younger brother grasps math very easily! My hope is that she starts to see math as a puzzle that she can solve and that she finds the best tools for her learning style to get there. It's really about her confidence in her own abilities. My dream is for her to believe in herself and be proud of her efforts.
In my math dreams, she would see the patterns in her art and the world around her; apply math in the backyard as she gardens and builds things; utilize math in her sewing and maker projects; and THEN translate that on the paper. In other words, see that relationship between "school math" and "living math" and learn to embrace it.
Answer by katying · Apr 07, 2014 at 08:26 PM
What a beautiful reminder.
1. My dream is for my son to be able to navigate the world and really GRASP and CONCEPTUALIZE how the world works and what he can do with it. I think mathematics is really about aspiring to understand this unfathomable world and I want that mystery to entice him forward. I want him to be able to use math like a map with which he can move, predict, and understand his environment.
2. I really like Anno's books about multiplication. One in particular is Anno's Magic Seed? It is about a man who gets a seed and every time he plants one he gets two more. I guess that is more exponents than multiplication. But I like using these rhythmic, fun stories that are also somewhat grounded in a real life example. I also want to do real life multiplication and navigation. We garden a lot. So I want my son to learn and use multiplication when we plan and predict our yields. 1 seed grows into one plant that gives 2 broccoli flowers. If we plant 3 seeds how many broccoli flowers will we get this year?
Answer by James · Apr 07, 2014 at 08:26 PM
I hope she sees mathematics in everyday things, gets curious about shapes like spider webs and power lines. I hope she gets excited when presented with a new problem. I also want her to have mathematical tools at her disposal so when it comes time to learn chemistry, physics, and other applied areas of mathematics, she won't be overwhealmed by the equations and derivations, but will see them as old friends helping her unlock new mysteries. Since I'm starting her so early, she definitely will not be learning via traditional methods. I know she'll be able to use mulitplication for everyday usage, like planning finances (saving allownace), doubling recipes, etc., but also discovering problems/patterns and thinking "I can use multiplication to descibe this!". Of course, multiplication is an invaluable tool for future subjects.
Answer by TheEmily · Apr 08, 2014 at 01:20 AM
1. I want them to recognize and apply mathematics to their everyday lives. Hopefully creating some incentive and inspiration to spend their lives continuing to see opportunities to find answers with a strong understanding of math in their tool box.
2. They have learned multiplication so far by using memory cues for quick recall of the times tables. We have used manipulables to make physical representations. I have pointed out daily activities when I use multiplication: cooking, calculating tips, shopping, measuring. I am interested in learning any other way I can incorporate math into their daily lives and inspire them to challenge themselves.
Answer by Charvds · Apr 08, 2014 at 01:20 AM
I would really like my son to *enjoy* doing math while being sufficiently challenged. I wish for his number sense and sense of wonder to lead the way. I would like math to be part of the regular conversations we have about everything else!