Mathematics is not what most people do for entertainment, it is what most
people encounter in their daily lives. Math is as much a part of our lives as is
air. It is a tool by which we describe the things which God has created for us.
For example, flowers can be described mathematically. A butterfly is beautiful
to the eye but how does it perceive distance so that it can land on a limb? The
whole world is mathematical in a certain sense because everything that is going
on in it is mathematical or can be described mathematically. This is why it is
important to understand what mathematics is and how to use it.
Mathematics is not just about numbers or balancing a check book. A
knowledge of mathematics enables us to think in many different ways, such as
analytically, visually, and improving organizational skills. Through the ability to
problem solve, students learn to deal not only with math problems but lifes
problems. This does not mean that a good math student is going to always make
the best decisions in life. Math simply provides the student with the tools that
they can use at their own discretion, as well as the ability to better understand
the world that the Lord has created for us.
My philosophy for teaching mathematics falls into the same line of thinking
that I used to develop my basketball teams that made it to the state semifinals.
I endeavor to put students into a position that guarantees success working with
problems early on so that they are not intimidated when the subject becomes
more difficult later in the course. This method is similiar to the story of
training a retriever to retrieve a duck.
There was a man that took his friend duck hunting. As the two men were
hunting, a bird was shot that fell on the other side of the small lake and into a
dense marshy area. The hunters dog immediately sprinted off to find the bird.
The guest shouted excitedly to the hunter to call the dog back for he thought
the dog would never find the bird. But the hunter let the dog continue and
watched him disappear into the marsh. After a lengthy period of time the
guest said, You should have called the dog back there is no way he will find the
bird. To which the Hunter replied, He will find the bird. How do you know ?
Said the guest. Because I trained him said the hunter. From the time I began
training him he has always found a bird. How can this be? Said the guest. So
the hunter explained. When I began training him I filled the field with decoys
so that when I brought him out and threw out a bird he was guaranteed to find
one. Little by little as time progressed I removed the extra birds until there
was only the one bird to hide. No matter where I put it he always found it
because he never learned to fail, and because he has never failed he will look
until he finds the bird. After a long while the retriever returned with the bird.
This is my philosophy of education in a nutshell. By helping the student
become successful early on, the student gains confidence in themselves and
continues to try hard even when things become more challenging.
people encounter in their daily lives. Math is as much a part of our lives as is
air. It is a tool by which we describe the things which God has created for us.
For example, flowers can be described mathematically. A butterfly is beautiful
to the eye but how does it perceive distance so that it can land on a limb? The
whole world is mathematical in a certain sense because everything that is going
on in it is mathematical or can be described mathematically. This is why it is
important to understand what mathematics is and how to use it.
Mathematics is not just about numbers or balancing a check book. A
knowledge of mathematics enables us to think in many different ways, such as
analytically, visually, and improving organizational skills. Through the ability to
problem solve, students learn to deal not only with math problems but lifes
problems. This does not mean that a good math student is going to always make
the best decisions in life. Math simply provides the student with the tools that
they can use at their own discretion, as well as the ability to better understand
the world that the Lord has created for us.
My philosophy for teaching mathematics falls into the same line of thinking
that I used to develop my basketball teams that made it to the state semifinals.
I endeavor to put students into a position that guarantees success working with
problems early on so that they are not intimidated when the subject becomes
more difficult later in the course. This method is similiar to the story of
training a retriever to retrieve a duck.
There was a man that took his friend duck hunting. As the two men were
hunting, a bird was shot that fell on the other side of the small lake and into a
dense marshy area. The hunters dog immediately sprinted off to find the bird.
The guest shouted excitedly to the hunter to call the dog back for he thought
the dog would never find the bird. But the hunter let the dog continue and
watched him disappear into the marsh. After a lengthy period of time the
guest said, You should have called the dog back there is no way he will find the
bird. To which the Hunter replied, He will find the bird. How do you know ?
Said the guest. Because I trained him said the hunter. From the time I began
training him he has always found a bird. How can this be? Said the guest. So
the hunter explained. When I began training him I filled the field with decoys
so that when I brought him out and threw out a bird he was guaranteed to find
one. Little by little as time progressed I removed the extra birds until there
was only the one bird to hide. No matter where I put it he always found it
because he never learned to fail, and because he has never failed he will look
until he finds the bird. After a long while the retriever returned with the bird.
This is my philosophy of education in a nutshell. By helping the student
become successful early on, the student gains confidence in themselves and
continues to try hard even when things become more challenging.