Welcome to 3rd Grade Mathematics Multiplication is vexation, Division is just as bad; The Rule of Three perplexes me, And Practice drives me mad.                     – Old Rhyme

It is my goal to help students learn and retain math more readily by following these four standards: Mathematics as problem solving Mathematics as communication Mathematics as reasoning Mathematical connections

Interesting Math Facts We use numbers every waking hour of our day. One of the great beauties of mathematics - and what makes it unlike most subjects we learn at school - is that there are many ways to find the answer. According to a study conducted by NCTM, the average student who does homework had a higher test score than 73% of those students who do not.

What we think about math . What we think about math This is the way I was born. Fact is math is inborn in all of us, it is a human trait. All people can reason with abstract ideas. 2. If I can’t add or subtract, then I am not good at math Fact: Modern math is about ideas not just calculation. Being a wizard at figuring math facts doesn’t equal being successful in math. 3. Math doesn’t require creativity. Fact: Math does require logic. However, it has been said, that “great mathematicians, indeed, are poets in their soul.” 4. It is all about the final answer. Fact: Math does require an exact answer. But as we study mathematics we also want to learn and understand the process. 5. Men are better than women at math. Fact: Nonsense!

Remember: calculating the right answer is a skill achieved through practice.

If you only master the skill of calculation, but can’t understand the concepts and processes, math won’t be useful to you!

Wrong Ways of Dealing With Math Anxiety Rationalization: find reasons that explain why it is OK to feel this way about math. Suppression: being aware of anxiety, but trying very, very hard not to feel it. Denial: these are the people who do not want to know anything about math. They choose college majors that don’t require any math, and let the bank or their spouse balance the checkbook. (in our society fewer than 25% of all careers are, so-to-speak, “math-free,” so choices are limited)

Okay, so How Do We Handle Math anxiety? Accept your feelings without criticizing yourself. Learn strategies to disarm anxiety’s influence on the future. SLOW DOWN Estimate an answer before calculating since research has shown that it does help and it gets both sides of the brain working. Try to understand what you already know. Do it upside down!

How do I help my child? Remind your child to focus on: Understanding the class. Reviewing class notes by taking the notebook home. Letting me know if there is any problems. Requesting help during class if something is not understood. Being determined to succeed by not giving up and trying his/her very best. Completing the work on his/her own. Be patient when learning something new. Taking time to “read” math and to “work it out.” Creating a study group which supports their learning, helping them to learn more, more quickly, and more lastingly.

Try doing the exercises the same way the examples were done. In short, work at it. You will learn mathematics this way – and in no other way.

And Tests? Don’t cram the night before. The brain is in many ways just like a muscle. It must be exercised regularly to be strong, and if you place too much stress on it then it won’t function at its peak until it has had time to rest and recover. Have breakfast. Look at the entire exam first. Read each question, highlighting clue words, and do not answer it until you know what it is asking for. Is there more than one answer needed? Be ready for panic to set in. Breathe! Tell yourself to relax and do not worry about any other student in the room. Remember you are not in a race. Be neat and ordered. You don’t want to confuse yourself. Don’t spend too much time on a hard question. Go back to it at the end. Give yourself at least 3 minutes to review your answers before turning in the test. Show your work unless you are expected to do mental math. Try your best. Remember it is not a big deal. Learn from your mistakes when you get your exam back.

Another Famous Quote For me it remains an open question whether [this work] pertains to the realm of mathematics or to that of art. – M.C. Escher

Let’s have a wonderful Year in math!

Brian Butterworth is Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychology at University College, London and founding editor of the academic journal "Mathematical Cognition". http://www.mathacademy.com/pr/minitext/anxiety/ http://www.mathematicalbrain.com/test.html