When mathematics is introduced into a conversation, very few people are neutral. When someone tells me they do not like math, I always say he/she did not have the right math teachers! I believe that. Yes, I have always enjoyed math. Why do I love math and want others to love it, too? There are other reasons, but here are two that are very important:
1. Math and science help us understand the beautiful, amazing world in which we live! Last week I went to a beautiful garden by myself. I don’t usually go by myself, but the day was too perfect to spend on a computer. Nature is one of my passions, and I love being outside! As I was observing and reflecting, I realized some of my appreciation of nature is linked to math and science. Math and science help us understand and make sense of our world and allow us to see beautiful patterns. There are those we can see, such as perfect spirals, the growth patterns of leaves, the symmetry of butterflies, etc. There is also what we can’t see. I was in a garden that has the largest daffodil garden in the United States, with over 20 million daffodils! In early spring, it is absolutely stunning! How did they determine the number? Of course they used math! The carbon dioxide-oxygen cycle allows us to breathe. Those are just a few examples. (The pictures above are from the garden.)
2. Math, when taught correctly, helps students develop reasoning and critical thinking skills, which are needed to solve problems. All challenges and problems in life (not just math problems) require thinking skills! Don’t we want to live in a world where all people can reason and communicate on high levels? Don’t we want people working to solve the problems in our world? I realize not everyone will agree, but the ability to offer evidence and have a civil debate is something that is becoming more rare. This week, I was working with a geometry student and introducing basic trigonometry functions for right triangles. I showed the tables I used to use (before it was a button on the calculator), which seemed to help make sense of it. What I love most about geometry is the reasoning and proof. Adults might not use trigonometry functions every day, but the reasoning skills that are developed are important life skills!
For many people, math is an integral part of their career. For all us, however, it is an integral part of life. When we give students ‘drill and practice’ assignments, or any assignment that does not require thinking, we are not inspiring a love of true mathematics. Let’s continue to work together to find and develop ‘respectful tasks’ that will help all students!
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