Math is Confusing!

As an adult, looking back, I have never remembered elementary math being so difficult or confusing. It seems the more I "'re-learn" the more I'm lost. In elementary school, I couldn't wait to work on Roman numerals, fractions, or my favorite-guess and check. I also enjoyed the patterns, riddles and problem-solving worksheets that we got to do on special occasions. Unfortunately, once we started working on problems that I felt were "too tough" I gave up and lost interest in math. In time I overcame these frustrations and I was eventually able to grasp concepts, thanks to teachers who spent a lot of class time (and sometimes before or after school) answering questions and working through problems, step by step. I guess it's important to note, that I am a VISUAL learner. This was most obvious in math as story problems were my nemesis.

Whatever method works.

I have noticed the mathematical world is putting a lot more focus on the properties of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, than I recall from my own time in school. I currently work in school where the middle school math teacher uses gimmicks in her daily lectures to help her students remember these properties. Since I am not one who memorizes things well and I prefer to read, take notes, and draw clues while studying, I am more apt to remember things that I have gone over time and again. Though I am not as experienced as a teacher who has been teaching math for 20+ years, I hope to come up with some of my own techniques that will make it easier for my students to not only learn, but retain these skills. It is my goal to find techniques that work for everyone, on an individual basis. I recall many classmates who were capable of quickly doing mathematical problems in their head, yet I was the opposite. I was desperately in need of a tool to assist me in solving the problem, whether it be pencil and paper, a manipulative or in some cases, a calculator.

Have fun!

I also hope to help my students develop of love of math. Even I math is not my favorite subject, I hope I can influence my students in a way that might make them love it. I find it ironic that I do really enjoy algebra and more difficult math concepts, as long as I have a formula to go by. In some cases, the more complicated (to some extent) the better. So as I embark on this adventure of becoming an elementary teacher, I hope to learn many things that will make me the best teacher I can be. I look forward to finding websites, activities and other blogs that will allow me to reach out to those who have a better understanding and a comfort level of teaching math to children of all ages.