Tips and Tricks to being a great math student

Or what you always wish your math teachers had told you

Tip # 1: ThinkThis is the main goal of this class.You will be introduced to some of the

greatest and most intriguing creations of the mind

Constantly stop and think.

Tip # 2: Be active, not passiveIn this class you need to be an active

participant.Take the concepts and make them your ownLook beyond the mathematical ideas and,

don’t be satisfied with mere knowledge.Challenge yourself to attain the power to

figure things out for yourself!

Tip # 3: Read MathematicsRead a sentence or two then stop reading.Did you understand what you just read? If not that’s

okay. You may need to re-read it or get another concept better before it starts to make sense.

Once you start to get it, work with it on your own or with help. This is where you can begin to appreciate and fully understand an idea.

Be actively engaged as you read. Draw pictures, explain ideas to friends. Put yourself in the position as discoverer of each idea.

Ask questions, search for answers and let those guide you to still more questions.

Reading math is different than reading other subjects

Tip # 4: Lessons for Math (and life)1. Just do it2. Make mistakes and fail, but never give up3. Keep an open mind4. Explore the consequences of new ideas5. Seek the essential6. Understand the issue7. Understand simple things deeply8. Break a difficult problem into smaller ones9. Examine issues from several points of view10. Look for patterns and similarities

Tip # 4

Lesson # 1: Just Do ItThe best way to learn a subject is to just do

it.The lesson I give in class is mostly to give you

the tools that you need to work math problems.

You will not really learn it until you have worked with those tools and made them a part of your toolbox.

Tip # 4

Lesson # 2 : Make mistakes and fail, but never give upDon’t be afraid to give me a wrong answer in

class. I won’t be mad and everyone can learn from that mistake.

We will ALL make mistakes this year, it is a part of the learning process.

The important thing to do, is to learn from your mistakes and not make the same ones again.

Tip # 4

Lesson # 3: Keep an open mindWe will learn a lot of new ideas this year. You may not understand a difficult concept

the first time it is said. Don’t give up on it.Try writing it in your own words and ask me

if that is the right idea.Be active in the pursuit of the new ideas until

they are a part of you.

Tip # 4

Lesson # 4: Explore the consequences of new ideasWhen we learn a new idea or problem solving

technique, try it out on something in your life.

The problem solving techniques you will learn this year can be applied to more than just math class.

Tip # 4

Lesson # 5: Seek the essentialIn math this means that no matter what you

are learning, think about where it fits into the big picture.

Tip # 4

Lesson # 6: Understand the issue

Take the time to understand what a problem is asking. Pay attention to the small details. (Politicians on Parade, Damsel in Distress)

If you understand what a particular problem or skill is used for, you will be able to recall and use it later when it is needed.

Tip # 4

Lesson # 7 : Understand simple things deeplyAdding, subtracting, dividing, multiplying,

exponents; Area, Volume, slope; These are the foundations we build on.

Do you know what role numbers play in the world around you?

Tip # 4

Lesson # 8 : Break a difficult problem into smaller onesIf you have a hard problem, first work on a

simpler, related problem to develop insight. (That’s a Meanie Genie)

Devising a good representation of a problem is frequently the biggest step toward finding a solution.

Tip # 4

Lesson # 9 : Examine issues from several points of viewOften an inventive solution arises from

looking at a situation in an unusual way. (Getting a pole on the bus)

Go out of your way to look at a problem in different ways. (A Commuter Fly)

Tip # 4

Lesson # 10: Look for patterns and similaritiesThe power of math is revealed by the

patterns that model the world around us. Example: Fibonacci numbers.