Math

As math teachers we often focus too much on the topic at hand and over look the big picture. Our main objective is to teach reasoning and problem solving skills. Each objective in a math class is not about the task at hand but an exercise in using an algorithm or reasoning through a problem.

These standards focus more on the big picture. It is what we have been doing all along but gives us an opportunity to give a valid reason to "Why do we have to learn this?"



I was hoping to collaborate as a math department and develop a working definition of what this means to us. How has this affected our approach to teaching math in the 21st century? What have you done in your classroom to incorporate the 21st century skills? 

7 Survival Skills for the 21st Century //1. Problem-solving and critical thinking; 2. Collaboration across networks and leading by influence; 3. Agility and adaptability; 4. Initiative and entrepreneurship; 5. Effective written and oral communication; 6. Accessing and analyzing information; and 7. Curiosity and imagination.//


 * 21st century skills are innately involved in the objective taught in math curriculum. Problem solving and reasoning skills are obviously involved but the others are involved as well.**


 * Please comment on your thoughts on how the 21st century skills have changed the way you approach teaching math in general.**


 * This initiative has been helpful in the way that it has answered the question "Why do we have to do this?" My attitude has gone from it is in the curriculum to it is a life skill... Geometric proof, for example is a lesson arguing a rational point. What better way is there to demonstrate //agility and adaptability// in //accessing and analyzing// information.
 * These skills are already a large component of our curriculum. Problem-Solving and critical thinking are an on going theme in our math curriculum. I challenge you to look at any one of our textbooks in any given section to try and find a lack of application questions.
 * Do you think if I increased the opportunities for students to develop Initiative and Entrepreneurship Skills along expanding Curiosity and Imagination would increase their sense of urgency in developing all of the other Skills that are already aligned tightly with the math curriculum?
 * I find the moodle site has helped me save time in the classroom. When I give a review packet, I post the answers on the moodle site. Students know they are responsible for looking at the answers and formulating questions that they need to bring to class. That way, I am only answering questions to problems that confound them, and I am not wasting time with problems they know how to handle.