Three Ds and Es of Mathematics

Post date: Nov 12, 2011 12:47:46 PM

By: Ms. Yolanda Pruna

Mathematics is often described by the students in three simple ways and we call it 3Ds. It stands with DIFFICULT, DULL AND DISLIKED. As Mathematics teachers, it is very disheartening to know that our pupils shrink and sink in our subject. How then can we help them? And what shall we do to help them feel better and cool every time we enter our classes?

We must do something to change these 3Ds to 3Es-EASY, ENJOYABLE AND EXCITING. Well, it means introspecting where the fault is and usually whether we admit it or not. Most often, teachers are the culprits. We fail to prepare a lesson that will make our pupils active in our classes and will make math easy, enjoyable and exciting. How can we do this? Simple, we have to provide worthwhile activities.

If you think you are short of strategies, find a way to confer with the other math teachers in the division or surf in the net. There are a variety of ways to improve our instruction if the will is ardent.

We have to keep in mind that our goal is always to teach mathematics for understanding. If the pupils will get our lesson, surely they will find it easy, enjoyable and exciting and to teach it for understanding it calls for a deeper realization and consideration of the very nature of the subject.

The following are some essential principles of mathematics.

1. Mathematics is a well-structured subject.

It means the concepts and principles are hierarchical, starting from the simplest to the most complex. It is very important to master the simplest knowledge before moving on to the next lesson otherwise, they will find it difficult to study. Diagnostic Test is very much helpful to teachers so that, we will know if our pupils are really equipped with the expected skills for their grade level.

2. Mathematics is logic.

Our pupils find mathematics difficult because they lack the tool for reasoning. Thus, we must give them opportunities to reason out logically by giving abundant exercises in problem solving and when we teach we must use a strategy which is sequential or logical.

3. Mathematics is a language.

Mathematics has its own word registers different from English like plane, curve, period etc Therefore, it is also necessary to teach the translation of English phrases and sentences to mathematical expressions. This will facilitate our pupils’ understanding of the word problems.

4. Mathematics is a study of patterns.

We must lead our pupils to discovery of patterns in divisibility tests, Pascal’s triangle, Fibonacci series, and the sum of consecutive numbers. If the pupils can discover patterns then they have good command of mathematics.

Bear in mind these four principles of mathematics in planning your lesson every day so that, your pupils will turn their 3Ds to 3Es.

Happy Teaching!