66 “I don’t do math Do you?”

“I don’t math! Do you?” Have you ever made this statement? Would you say that you couldn’t read? Do we view math as the “difficult” subject? Can math be fun? By: Lee Alford ED 503 Overview Math anxiety Variables Word phrases Algebraic expressions Evaluating Algebraic expressions Overcoming Math Anxiety What is math anxiety? A stress, tension, and/or strain on the body and mind, often due to a negative experience in math 3 Factors that affect math anxiety: Achievement Power Personal relationships Individual achievement levels affect anxiety levels Do you … Set high goals? Self-motivate? Become stressed when goals aren’t achieved? If you answered yes to any question, you may suffer from math anxiety If you lose control, you lose power which affects anxiety levels Have your parents ever made negative comments about math? Did your teacher ever say “That’s just the way it is”? Did anyone ever tell you to memorize the steps? Overcoming math anxiety begins with a positive attitude! Positive self-image Positive personal relationships Positive goals Positive outlook Positive teaching Coping with Math Anxiety can be overcome, this article is helpful Resources for help overcoming math anxiety: Math for the Anxious: building basic skills by Rosanne Proga, McGraw-Hill Higher Education Boston, 2005 ISBN 0-07-288584-X Mastering Mathematics, How to Be a Great Math Student, 3rd edition, by Richard Manning Smith Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning Pacifica Grove, CA, 1998 ISBN 0-534-34947-1 Conquering Math Anxiety, 2nd edition, by Cynthia Arem, Brooks/Cole Thomson Learning Pacifica Grove, CA, 2003 ISBN 0-534-38634-2 Variables What is a variable? Something with ability to change, in math it is represented by a letter or symbol Word phrases Eight more than three times a number How you express this mathematically? The numerical expression below is the answer  3x + In Algebra, a variable is a symbol used to represent any element of a given set of numbers Algebraic expressions Of what operations the following words math you think? Times Less Quotient Twice divided by more diminished difference add subtract decreased product sum half increased factor Evaluating Algebraic expressions What does it mean to evaluate? How is an evaluation different from an expression? Evaluate is to find a value; to calculate numerically Express is to represent by a sign, symbol, &/or words vs Algebraic expressions help solve word problems Reading comprehension helps translate words into numbers and symbols Practice makes Progress, click here for some practice! Final Thoughts Algebra and all math is a universal language where: Attitude is everything Ability depends on confidence Confidence depends on attitude I math, you? ... statement? Would you say that you couldn’t read? Do we view math as the “difficult” subject? Can math be fun? By: Lee Alford ED 503 Overview Math anxiety Variables Word phrases Algebraic... expressions Overcoming Math Anxiety What is math anxiety? A stress, tension, and/or strain on the body and mind, often due to a negative experience in math 3 Factors that affect math anxiety: Achievement... Positive outlook Positive teaching Coping with Math Anxiety can be overcome, this article is helpful Resources for help overcoming math anxiety: Math for the Anxious: building basic skills by