AlgebraWritten by Anthony Mixides
Algebra is a branch of mathematics in which arithmetic operations are generalized and applied to variable quantities and specific numbers. In our schooldays, we use algebra to solve polynomial equations, whereas professional mathematicians, physicists, economists, and computer engineers use algebra to study abstract mathematical structures with properties of addition and multiplication. Both elementary and higher algebra stipulate that only a certain number of quantities should be involved in calculations, and calculations should end after a certain number of steps. Both forms of algebra are abstract in nature, using letters to represent variables. Modern algebra, which has been used in 20th century to solve so many mathematical and scientific problems, evolved from work of 19th-century French mathematician, Evariste Galois. Many algebraic concepts, such as theory of groups, have influenced fields such as quantum physics, whereas computer science is totally based on Boolean algebra. Psychologists and economists use matrices and linear algebra in linear programming. However, before any child can dream of becoming a mathematician, economist, physicist, computer scientist, or psychologist, they have to study algebra in school. This is when most students learn about various classes of numbers and also learn how to solve algebraic equations.
| | The Power of PraiseWritten by Bridget Nolen
I could write a very inspiring essay about how powerful praise is in teaching. The stereotypical truth is, in primary grades, in private and parochial schools, in ”good” public schools, praise is one of most important tools we have to motivate, and inspire, and promote success. However, I don’t want to ignore fact that teaching and teachers exist in inner-city, in impoverished areas where they lack resources, support, parental involvement, and most importantly willingness on part of children, to learn. Those teachers started out like many of rest of us. Young, enthusiastic, motivated, educated, prepared. While we can all agree that was our college education could not have prepared us for is management issues we would face in classroom, management issues that are faced by teachers in “inner-city” are beyond compare in that they have ability to cause “burn-out” quicker than others. The number one obstacle that these teachers face is motivation. The children lack it, teacher’s struggle with it, and administration in many cases are failing to come through with it. When I spoke with a close friend about some of obstacles young teachers have discussed with me: pressure of parents, pressures of that “support team,” pressures of measuring up to other colleagues, I could tell that he thought we were going to have a very hard time furthering this discussion and relating to each other. We all feel same about common stresses, especially in our twenties: a lack of direction or resources or curriculum, finding a balance between school and life, finding time to get it all in, finding out when to choose your battles, finding that “making a difference” was much different than you thought. But whether we want to face it or not, we can find strategies to work on those problems, they exist and are reachable after thoughtful reflection, education, experience and cooperation. Motivation though is something that must come from deep inside you. Once you lose it, it’s hard to teach it. When you think of all of things that motivate you, like a compliment from a parent or an administrator, support you receive from colleagues, or look in their eyes when they finally get it and want to learn more…and realize that this friend of mine feels these things about one percent of time when I feel it half of time… I am then able to put in perspective how different and difficult our jobs are. Motivation is single most important factor that inspires you to persevere. I am motivated by children everyday. Many of my children run down hallway to get to school in morning, they are motivated to learn to read and write because they are just enthusiastic by nature at six years old, because they love me, because they want to please their parents, and because they understand it s a necessity. I can’t imagine what it’s like to go to work everyday at a place where no one wants to learn. I would think you wouldn’t have a fighting chance. So I asked him…what’s POA? He talked a lot about all things he knew would work to improve situation. Number one being parents involvement and parent communication. He talked about how he felt like these children needed to get out of 5 mile radius they feel trapped in and see there is more that world has to offer them. Maybe then they would understand that education is ticket to a new life. He talked about how middle school mentality doesn’t help. He explained his feelings on tracking children and how it does not work. He called it all too familiar self-full filling prophecy that is constantly fueled by these children environments. He talked about a lot of things that he wished he could do that are beyond his control. But that’s thing about teachers. I call it perfect world syndrome. We are constantly hoping and working in an effort to make world, if not a perfect, than a better place. Believing and dreaming of way things should be is only avenue we have to making it happen. There are some things, he admits, that are in his control. He has found that external rewards sometimes work (another college myth- focus only on “intrinsic” motivation), he knows that it is important to be consistent with discipline and always appear in control, although he also knows that some kids will be motivated if they just like you, so you have to in some way try to relate. What I think most important part of his POA is graduate school. He has seen what is working and what is not, he has a plan for what he would do differently, and what he would value as most important in role of an administrator…because they have a bit more control in attaining that perfect world. He feels frustrated that he can’t make difference with these children that he hoped he might, but he spent most of our “interview” talking about times when he did feel like he made that difference. He showed me cards from parents and kids. He holds that sacred in order to persevere. You can’t change world overnight, but by continuing to hope that you can, and in choosing to do what you can, you will sure make a difference. For myself, graduate school has also been a huge motivator. We learn in college importance of being lifelong learners and continuing our professional development. But as with everything its not until you experience it that you know it to be true. We feel energized after a day off to attend a conference or a seminar, especially ones that are given by real teachers and provide you with those handy resource books that you can copy right out of. If we are in right frame of mind then you can also feel inspired by other teacher’s ideas. Because I understand that praise is such a powerful motivator, I wrote this short piece for my graduate school professor to give to him at end of my last class: After my fifth child told me that he forgot his homework I clap to get kids attention and announce that “When Miss Nolen goes to school at night I have homework that is due in to my teacher. If I were to say, “my mom forgot to pack it” that is not a good enough excuse. As you get older you will have due dates and deadlines and keeping these dates is an important part of becoming responsible.”
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