Course Objectives
1.) Positive Math experiences - creating a positive math mindset
First and foremost I want students to have a positive and empowering experience with math. I want all students to feel that math class is a safe space to have fun and explore mathematical ideas and I hope that every student learns to enjoy themselves even when it feels challenging. So our fist goal is to make sure everyone feel safe and respected and we can all trust each other. Math is very difficult and can be very intimidating. However by developing math skill students can gain a lot of confidence that they can take to college and beyond. Also, I genuinely believe that math is a natural joy and I want every student to experience this math joy. Human beings are naturally curious and my goal each year is to awaken that curiosity and joy of exploration within all of my students.
*For more information about my feeling about how math should be taught and experienced I highly recommend these articles:
How Math Should Be Taught
A Mathematician's Lament
*For more information about my feeling about how math should be taught and experienced I highly recommend these articles:
How Math Should Be Taught
A Mathematician's Lament
2.) Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills
My second goal is that students will develop deep thinking skills. I want students to dive into the math at whatever level they are at and really try to understand the complexities. I want them to hone their analytical thinking and also being to nurture their visual and creative thinking in a rigorous way. I want to student to show their creativity in finding multiple solutions and more elegant solutions to the problems we explore in class. I want math class to feel like a mental gym where students are straining and growing their brains each and every day. Math class should be about rigorous play. A space where creative ideas about mathematics are embraced and examined and explored. I believe that one reason math correlates so strongly with success is because when done right it teaches students to be creative, confident, deep, and flexibly thinkers.
I am a strong proponent of multi-dimensional math teaching and how I think it develops these deep, flexible, and creative thinking skills. Here is a description of Multi-dimensional math from Jo Boaler - Multi-Dimensional Math
I am a strong proponent of multi-dimensional math teaching and how I think it develops these deep, flexible, and creative thinking skills. Here is a description of Multi-dimensional math from Jo Boaler - Multi-Dimensional Math
3.) Communication and Collaboration Skills
The third goal for the class is the development of communication and collaboration skills. Mathematics is very complex and trying to get others to understand you as well as trying to understand can be very challenging. Math is a great place to grow ones ability to communicate and work with others. We will often work in groups and I want students constantly trying to improve both themselves and the group as a whole. We will focus on the back and forth of conjecture and skeptic. I want all students to put forth their ideas and then debate with each other about the validity and implications of these ideas. The focus is on getting students to think deeply about math with each other and talk about mathematical ideas. We need to work hard to make sure everyone's ideas are heard and also that we push and challenge these ideas to see where they lead and what they might mean.
4.) Self Directed Independent learners
My fourth goal is the essential skill of learning how to learn both for college and life beyond. I want students to use math as an opportunity to practice the art of thinking and learning. Students should try changing up how they learn in order to find out how they learn best. What sets you up for success? What can you do in class, at home, on you own, with your friends that helps you enjoy math and think deeply about math. I also want students to explore all the wonderful resources that are now available to them on the internet so they know what works for them . I want students to see this year as an opportunity to practice and explore. Knowing how to study well both on your own and with others as well as knowing what resources work best for you will be a huge help in college.
*For a great website on college tips and tricks for studying check out videos from:
How To Study
5.) Math Content
Now of course there is the math itself that I hope you learn. But I hope you learn math in a new and more dynamic way. Finally there is the actual math content I want students to know. Math is the big gateway to college success and I want to make sure all my students can achieve their dreams. So first and foremost want to make sure that every students can place into a college math class. The research is very clear that having to take remedial math in college very negatively impacts students and jeopardizes their chances of getting a college degree. One of the most common measurement tools for college readiness is the ELM test which is given by California State Universities and Community Colleges. I would like to see all my students to place into college math so they can avoid the extra cost and time of remedial math. My second goal for my students is to gain some confidence with Calculus. Calculus is necessary for any Science, Technology, Engineering, Computer science, Medicine, or math degree. If you can't pass Calculus so many great classes and majors are simply out of reach. Because of this I want all my students to experience calculus and realize that while it may be difficult it is not impossible. I want all my students, especially those interested in STEM majors, to go off to college knowing that if they had to pass Calculus they could, and they might even enjoy it.
*For more information about the ELM you can go to: http://www.csumathsuccess.org/mshome
*For a great website on college tips and tricks for studying check out videos from:
How To Study
5.) Math Content
Now of course there is the math itself that I hope you learn. But I hope you learn math in a new and more dynamic way. Finally there is the actual math content I want students to know. Math is the big gateway to college success and I want to make sure all my students can achieve their dreams. So first and foremost want to make sure that every students can place into a college math class. The research is very clear that having to take remedial math in college very negatively impacts students and jeopardizes their chances of getting a college degree. One of the most common measurement tools for college readiness is the ELM test which is given by California State Universities and Community Colleges. I would like to see all my students to place into college math so they can avoid the extra cost and time of remedial math. My second goal for my students is to gain some confidence with Calculus. Calculus is necessary for any Science, Technology, Engineering, Computer science, Medicine, or math degree. If you can't pass Calculus so many great classes and majors are simply out of reach. Because of this I want all my students to experience calculus and realize that while it may be difficult it is not impossible. I want all my students, especially those interested in STEM majors, to go off to college knowing that if they had to pass Calculus they could, and they might even enjoy it.
*For more information about the ELM you can go to: http://www.csumathsuccess.org/mshome