What Students See When They Look at Algebra

https://mathwithbaddrawings.com/2016/06/22/what-students-see-when-they-look-at-algebra/


Hmmmm.

Every few years

I have a moment where my brain feels like it's about to explode. Right now is one of those moments. (kaboom)

There is goes.

Article

Why It's Better to Be Human than to Be Right

If I know this, I can prevent this.

Fight to survive.

The hidden dangers of caring about your career too much

Teaching Persistence

"In a study Leonard published in Science, she found that babies were able to persist in a difficult task if they first saw an adult struggle to succeed, suggesting that grit and perseverance can be taught by example to the powerfully observational young baby brain."

from the74million

How can I effectively infuse my own struggles in my teaching? As math teachers our students probably see us succeeding at problem after math problem. But what about the years and years I struggled with math as a student and the continued struggle (argh!) as I take exams for my certification and my struggle as a first year teacher? These struggles are not visible to my students but how great the potential can be for our kids if we show them this side of ourselves.

I need to remember this.

Definition of Introversion vs. Extraversion

From the book Introvert Power:

"Introversion is an inward orientation to life, and extroversion (spelled extraversion in clinical and academic literature) is an outward orientation. Though you probably use both introversion and extroversion, one of these orientations usually feels more like home--more comfortable, more interesting, and more energizing--than the other. Introverts prefer introversion; we tend to gain energy by reflecting and expend energy when interacting. Extroverts have the opposite preference; they tend to gain energy by interacting and expend energy while reflecting."


I liked this definition.

Note to Self

This (math as a surprise!)

This (AP Stats ?'s)

I liked this article.

How cheating as a student taught me a lesson that I carry with me today

Currently Reading

Can I finish all of these before break ends?!

Introvert Power - Laurie A. Helgoe
"A Summary" of Carol Dweck's Mindset
Irresistible Introvert: Harness the Power of Quiet Charisma in a Loud World - Michaela Chung

It appears as though I'm going through one of those phases every couple years where I'll read everything I can find about introverts. Of course, Susan Cain's Quiet was my favorite from the last cycle.

Recent Read

The Power of Habit
(Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business)
Charles Duhigg

5-Second Summary:
Cue --> Routine --> Reward. Change your routine, change your habit.

Recent Read

Simple: Conquering the Crisis of Complexity
Alan B Siegel and Irene Etzkorn


Some disjointed thoughts/notes:

• Having empathy, striving for clarity, and distilling message can reduce distance between student and teacher, and save time! 
• Simplicity gives students competitive advantage -- should be a student right (just as it should be a consumer right) 

The problem with complexity…

• Credit card contracts, phone bills, medicine instructions, taxes 
• No one cares, no one reads them. 

Simplistic vs. Simplified: strive for the latter, not the former

• Understand what is essential and meaningful, opposed to what is not, then ruthlessly eliminate what isn’t. 
• Simplicity allows students to understand and control what affects them → Student-centered learning. 

Fight back against “learned helplessness”!

• When someone has several experiences of being confused, that person starts assuming they’ll never be able the understand any legal document, so why bother trying. → Quintessential problem in math class?! 

Three Principles of Simplicity

1. Empathize 
2. Distill 
3. Clarity 

Empathize: perceive others’ needs and expectations (plan ahead)

Distill: Boil down and customize what’s being offered to meet needs

Clarify: make the offering easier to understand, use, and benefit


Favorite Simplicity Case Studies:
Trader Joe’s: Increases revenue because items sell faster, easier to restock. Customers dig simplicity!

OXO: They are very lesson-inquiry-esque. Observing people in their homes to determine what products are most needed/useful

Target: CLearRX

NYC bureaucracy → 311

Algebra Ninja Warrior

THIS JUNE. The Prep kids are going to KICK. SOME. Algebra Regents. (Duh)

***Featuring my co-teacher, Mr. C***

***Shoutout to Sherise & the Modern Martial Arts Squad***

Do you have what it takes?

#teammathnerds