master math Archives

Even Second Graders Already Have Gender Stereotypes About Math

October 23, 2013 by James Rheine.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of Washington have discovered that gender stereotypes about math already develop as early as the second grade.

According to the ScienceDaily report, children as young as those in the second grade already express the stereotype that math is for boys. In addition, the study’s subjects, who are in grades one through five in Seattle-area schools, embrace the stereotype, with boys identifying with math and while girls do not.

The results of the study about math self-concept support the claim that so few women pursue careers in science, mathematics and engineering because of culturally-communicated messages expressing that math is for boys and not for girls.

The study, which was funded by a National Science Foundation grant to the LIFE Science of Learning Center, was published in the journal Child Development.

To read the full article, click here.

The Pros and Cons of Hiring A Math Tutor

October 22, 2013 by James Rheine.

We all want our children to do well in school, but in many cases, they do need help, particularly in mathematics. The natural recourse would be to hire a math tutor for your kid, but this option, while offering a lot of advantages, is not without its disadvantages. Here is a list pros and cons of hiring a math tutor for your kid that comes to mind.

Useful Tips For Remembering Multiplication Tables

October 19, 2013 by James Rheine.

Teachers have been using multiplication tables as a tool for teaching the mathematical operation to children for as long as anyone can remember. However, consistently remembering times tables has remained as elusive ever. Many children continue to find it difficult to memorize their multiplication tables.

Here are some very useful tips that could help them get over that multiplication table hill.

How to encourage your child to practice math

October 7, 2013 by Thomas

How do I encourage my child to practice math? Do you ask yourself that question on a regular basis? Here are some tips that may help in turning a potentially deep-seeded dislike of math and practicing in general into a life-long positive pattern of achievement.

New Study Finds Boys and Girls Have Similar Math Anxiety

September 21, 2013 by James Rheine.

Girls are typically regarded as suffering more math anxiety compared to boys, thanks to the findings of a number of studies conducted in the past about the subject. A new study, however, has found that boys and girls go through similar levels of math anxiety, at least while they are in math class or taking a math test.

Compelling Reasons Why Kids Must Study Math

September 1, 2013 by James Rheine.

Let’s set aside the idealized notion that taking math seriously leads to the creation of inventive geniuses who will make the world a better place. Let’s be more down to Earth instead, and talk about practical reasons why kids must study math, preferably at Advanced and Degree Levels.

There are just so many benefits that being highly adept at math can bring to your kids for the rest of their lives. Here are some of the benefits of taking math seriously.

The Amazing Truth – Why We Use X As The Unknown in Algebra

August 31, 2013 by James Rheine.

It’s probably safe to say that for everyone who had to go through Algebra in school, the use of the letter x in Algebra to represent an unknown quantity or variable has always been something of a mystery. We all asked why x in algebra is always the usual suspect, so to speak.

If you’re a teacher for children (school, home or otherwise) and you get asked this question about the x in Algebra in class, you can avoid being stumped by showing them this TED Talks video, which explains the origins of x as the unknown in Algebra.

Use Math And Get Past The Zombie Apocalypse

August 19, 2013 by jamesr

“Nature and nature’s laws lay hid in night. God said let Newton be and all was light.” If mathematics can decipher the secrets of nature, it can be counted upon to do nearly anything.

With so many Zombie flicks around at the movies, a professor at the University of Ottawa has developed a mathematical model that explains their epidemic effect and calculates the speed of virus transmission. Michael Dhar for the Yahoo! News reports about this model, making fascinating material for many schools’ math lessons.

Math Facts – The Top 3 Reasons Why Kids Must Master Arithmetic

November 23, 2011 by Thomas

Or: How to convince your kids that mastering arithmetic and their math facts are a vital key to their lives.

Some kids hate math, while others love it. But even though your children may dislike learning arithmetic, there are many reasons why they should master the subject, and it isn’t just so they can graduate from school. Here are the top 3 reasons why your kids must master arithmetic, and these are excellent reasons you can tell them as well the next time they complain about learning math.