Teachers
hear this kind of question every day. The Missing
Link offers some practical advice to help teachers
answer these questions.
First,
each lesson itself draws on real-world applications,
whether it's developing a pledge plan to raise
money for charity (Patterns & Functions)
or creating a geometry scavenger hunt (Polygons
& Angles).
Second,
we have assembled online resources, where math
teachers and experts from across the country
have contributed their own ideas about how to
make math more relevant. (See Links
& Resources, "Why Should I Learn This
Math?")
Finally,
each workshop features conversations with the
Learner Teachers about a few practical ways
that the math concepts being discussed in the
program show up in daily life.
The
Learner Teachers agreed that one of the most powerful
lessons to come out of Patterns & Functions
was the connections among the chart, the graph
and the equation. Students will be using these
three math tools throughout their lives — not
just in math class.
Some
Everyday Ways to Use Patterns & Functions
Analyzing
charts and tables — if you read a newspaper,
track batting averages or free-throw percentages
of your favorite sports stars, or prices of
different stocks
Calculating
the unit rate of a t-shirt, CD, book-of-the-month
club or other product to decide which is a better
buy — shoppers
Determining
the best way to raise the most amount of money,
whether for charity or profit — fundraisers,
businesspeople, entrepreneurs
Share
your own ideas about how to make this topic more relevant
for students. Participate in Teacher-Talk online.
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