Woke Math mandatory for grade 9 - Ontario

[Roleplayer]

Does it matter if we are not completely the same page with this or any topic? Not quite sure why you need to nitpick on people that basically agree with your overall argument that there are multiple ways to look at problems. I would agree with you though that memorization and repetition go hand in hand. On the other hand, that process can be very frustrating and time consuming and that's where teachers, tutors, etc need to step in. IMO, I think understanding what exactly is happening when you do any numerical operation vs memorizing that 3 x 3 = 9.

Perhaps we need to step outside of math for a moment. In computer programming, there's no way you could memorize enough code. The field is too broad and ever changing. Instead, you learn some core concepts like variables, loops, functions, etc. that are basically the same no matter if you're writing Python, JavaScript, jQuery, etc. For everything else, you have books or Google to rely on. There are lots of differences between them, but the core logic is basically the same.

You're clearly knowledgeable in mathematical concepts so how about describing their practical application? How do the quadratic equation, factoring trinomials, etc. apply practically? I feel that most of teachers don't even know because they were also taught to memorize these concepts. Perhaps we need to be teaching math and some basic computer programming concepts at the same time so that students can visually see what is going on?

I don't see it as nitpicking, but as clearly stating my opinion, which I think does differ from yours in some significant ways. Which is totally fine by me. We don't have to agree on everything. (I rarely do with anyone anyway.) Does it matter? Well, we're discussing this on a board which primarily functions as a way to find people to exchange money for sex, so I'm gonna say probably not so much.

Specific applications is always a bit of a black hole, since I think there's a lot of value in studying math whether you're concerned with specific applications or not.

However, when it comes to quadratics, there are certain things in nature and finance that behave in a quadratic fashion, like the height of a projectile (barring complications like air resistance) or profit functions in certain specific scenarios.

Factoring is largely a tool that you build on for other tasks. It is crucial for many cases in solving equations, deriving formulas, proving identities, simplifying expressions, analyzing functions and the like.

If you move up a grade level or two to stuff you first see in grades 11 and 12, you will probably find more interesting applications. Tons of stuff in the world can be modelled with sinusoidal functions: sound waves, predator/prey population patterns, circular motion, and the like. Series have all sorts of direct applications in finance such as annuities. There are some classic examples of exponential functions such as radioactive decay. For anyone interested in game theory, many game mechanics can be modelled in these kinds of ways.

One thing to keep in mind is that many phenomena in the real world are combinations of various components that might individually behave in different ways. These are known as complex systems, the study of which certainly relies upon the basic building blocks of the kind of material one studies in high school math, but requires more sophisticated knowledge. Some important examples include economies, the environment, and (what might be of particular note right now) the spread of disease.

 

[Cardinal Fang]

I really like this method. I would have appreciated it in school.

That I think is the essence of what is now being taught.

I went through High School and got below average grades in my math courses even though I like math. Highest mark never went above a c+. Why? I had all the correct answers but when it came to showing my work I lost a shit ton of marks. I saw getting to the answer in a different way and was made to believe I WAS WRONG when I wasn't. The structure that the schools set out was held up as the ONLY way forward to getting the right answer when it wasn't. I

The new curriculum sets out to change this because it recognized other means and ways to understand math and come up with the answer. It's not about what some people are posting in this thread. This notion is kids being able to come up with their own answers to math problems is bullshit.

 

[Valcazar]

That I think is the essence of what is now being taught.

I went through High School and got below average grades in my math courses even though I like math. Highest mark never went above a c+. Why? I had all the correct answers but when it came to showing my work I lost a shit ton of marks. I saw getting to the answer in a different way and was made to believe I WAS WRONG when I wasn't. The structure that the schools set out was held up as the ONLY way forward to getting the right answer when it wasn't. I

The new curriculum sets out to change this because it recognized other means and ways to understand math and come up with the answer. It's not about what some people are posting in this thread. This notion is kids being able to come up with their own answers to math problems is bullshit.

I remember getting a much lower grade on a physical chemistry test than I expected and asking the teacher to review it. He showed me the question where I had lost all the points even though I had the right answer because I was supposed to show my work.
I pointed out to him I *had* shown my work, I had just noticed that a bunch of the constants canceled, so I only had to derive the answer over three lines. He hasn't even looked at the answer - he just saw I hadn't filled the page with work and so marked me zero,

Thing is, I got my points back once I pointed it out to him. That people usually didn't because the teacher couldn't be bothered is terrible.

 

[explorerzip]

I don't see it as nitpicking, but as clearly stating my opinion, which I think does differ from yours in some significant ways. Which is totally fine by me. We don't have to agree on everything. (I rarely do with anyone anyway.) Does it matter? Well, we're discussing this on a board which primarily functions as a way to find people to exchange money for sex, so I'm gonna say probably not so much.

Specific applications is always a bit of a black hole, since I think there's a lot of value in studying math whether you're concerned with specific applications or not.

However, when it comes to quadratics, there are certain things in nature and finance that behave in a quadratic fashion, like the height of a projectile (barring complications like air resistance) or profit functions in certain specific scenarios.

Factoring is largely a tool that you build on for other tasks. It is crucial for many cases in solving equations, deriving formulas, proving identities, simplifying expressions, analyzing functions and the like.

If you move up a grade level or two to stuff you first see in grades 11 and 12, you will probably find more interesting applications. Tons of stuff in the world can be modelled with sinusoidal functions: sound waves, predator/prey population patterns, circular motion, and the like. Series have all sorts of direct applications in finance such as annuities. There are some classic examples of exponential functions such as radioactive decay. For anyone interested in game theory, many game mechanics can be modelled in these kinds of ways.

One thing to keep in mind is that many phenomena in the real world are combinations of various components that might individually behave in different ways. These are known as complex systems, the study of which certainly relies upon the basic building blocks of the kind of material one studies in high school math, but requires more sophisticated knowledge. Some important examples include economies, the environment, and (what might be of particular note right now) the spread of disease.

I was asking does it matter in the context of teaching or learning math? It doesn't because there are people here that are basically in agreement with you. So I don't get why you would quibble with Paola over one very specific thing that she wrote. The exact amount percentage is not as important as that we are IN agreement.

I think relating math to real world examples is important (especially at grade 9) to a) help them engage with the content and b) decide on a career path. That's the whole point of the curriculum change.

 

[Cardinal Fang]

That people usually didn't because the teacher couldn't be bothered is terrible.

It is and in my case when I complained I was told that they could not verify that I had NOT cheated because they didn't understand MY work. How many other kids went through the same?

 

[Vera.Reis]

I remember getting a much lower grade on a physical chemistry test than I expected and asking the teacher to review it. He showed me the question where I had lost all the points even though I had the right answer because I was supposed to show my work.
I pointed out to him I *had* shown my work, I had just noticed that a bunch of the constants canceled, so I only had to derive the answer over three lines. He hasn't even looked at the answer - he just saw I hadn't filled the page with work and so marked me zero,

Thing is, I got my points back once I pointed it out to him. That people usually didn't because the teacher couldn't be bothered is terrible.

I was too shy in high school to assert myself so my parents did it for me, but now I quibble with my teacher all the time and get better grades because of it. A couple times my professors missed significant parts of my writing because as they said "most students don't put this much thought into it so I missed that" which is just lazy and makes me wonder how much they have a preexisting idea of what grade our paper likely will deserve based on class participation.

 

[Roleplayer]

I was asking does it matter in the context of teaching or learning math? It doesn't because there are people here that are basically in agreement with you. So I don't get why you would quibble with Paola over one very specific thing that she wrote. The exact amount percentage is not as important as that we are IN agreement.

I think relating math to real world examples is important (especially at grade 9) to a) help them engage with the content and b) decide on a career path. That's the whole point of the curriculum change.

I assume you're referring to the post where I said I would "quibble" with Paola about the motivation behind grading form? I was deliberately using "quibble" in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. I think it's important to consider different motivations a teacher has for marking form. IMO it's a very important choice for math educators to make, reflecting that the way one presents a logical argument can be crucial, because in a lot of situations being right only has value if you can convince someone you are. No offense was intended and my hope/belief is that none was taken.

Just my opinion, but personally I find it valuable to consider areas of disagreement even when there may be a more general agreement overall. It helps me clarify my understanding.

 

[Vera.Reis]

I don't mind a little nitpicking, but I sure adore men defending me

 

[Valcazar]

It is and in my case when I complained I was told that they could not verify that I had NOT cheated because they didn't understand MY work. How many other kids went through the same?

That's nuts

 

[JackBurton]

Meh. Can’t be any worse than the math they taught when I was growing up: completely devoid of any real use in the world, mysterious and beyond the comprehension of the teachers tasked with teaching us. I mean, those teachers were real garbage at teaching a subject they had no training in. But it was the 1970’s &80’s. You didn’t even need a degree to be a teacher back then.

I wish I was better at math. I wish I had a passion for it. Instead I dropped it as soon as I could in highschool.

never really effected my job, but I did remember some basic trig for when I had to rebuild some basement stairs

 

[explorerzip]

I assume you're referring to the post where I said I would "quibble" with Paola about the motivation behind grading form? I was deliberately using "quibble" in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. I think it's important to consider different motivations a teacher has for marking form. IMO it's a very important choice for math educators to make, reflecting that the way one presents a logical argument can be crucial, because in a lot of situations being right only has value if you can convince someone you are. No offense was intended and my hope/belief is that none was taken.

Just my opinion, but personally I find it valuable to consider areas of disagreement even when there may be a more general agreement overall. It helps me clarify my understanding.

Yup, that was the post. I guess it didn't come across as being tongue-in-cheek. No offence taken at all though. There are way too many people being offended over nothing who likely don't have any kids in school right now. Or at least nobody has said so explicitly. I can understand if people with kids in school are concerned over this change, but change is always scary. IMO, people are much more fearful of the potential changes than the changes themselves.

 

[basketcase]

The sentence I quoted was pretty black and white (as is math)
...

Yes, it says teachers may choose to use examples in their teaching that relate to current issues. For example, 6,000 out of 150,000 indigenous children taken from their families died while at residential schools. express this as a percent.

How is it less mathematical than asking what percent of students in the class are wearing blue?

I am against examples that are woke nonsense and have nothing to do with the subject matter
...

By definition, examples ARE the way of consolidating the subject. If you want to eliminate all examples, you remove the utility for most people.

 

[basketcase]

Equality of outcome is utopian at best, the entire concept surrounding these views is the furthest thing from reality.
A complete demise of success and the destruction of meritocracy.
Not everyone will be as intelligent or successful in school and in life that's just nature.

But equal access to opportunity is one foundation of modern democracy.

 

[SerialKyler]

time to homeschool your kids or send them to private schools

I hear that solution being proposed a lot but that won't solve the problem. Conservatives have got to reverse the leftist insanity everywhere they see it. They won't leave your kid alone in the private school and they will destroy the private school system along with everything else perceived as 'white'