Kaye Brown: solving the puzzling questions about mathematics
Published:Sunday | June 30, 2013 | 12:00 AM
This
week, we continue to shed light on the importance of mathematics, and
how to get it right the first time. Communications & Business
Solutions (CBS) spoke with Kaye Brown, a mathematics teacher from
Hampton School for Girls who has been teaching for 11 years, to get her
views on the importance of mathematics and how to get children excited
about it.
CBS: How long have you been teaching mathematics?
KB: I have been teaching mathematics for approximately 11 years
CBS: Do you believe that studying mathematics automatically qualifies someone to become a good math teacher?
KB:
Unfortunately, no. It is important to understand the fundamental
aspects of mathematics. However, transferring this information to
individuals/students requires alot more effort and creativity. You must
be able to engage your students, which is not a skill everyone possesses
- even if they got training to do so. Math must be made relevant and
fun. You need to make the teaching process an interactive session.
CBS: What do you believe makes a good math teacher?
KB:
Mathematics is a subject area for which most individuals have a mental
block, which means it requires patience, a lot of patience. The teacher
wants to ensure that all students have a good understanding of each
concept at the end of every session. If the teacher gets frustrated,
then the student gets frustrated. The teacher must be passionate about
the subject. This passion helps you to remain focused and gives you that
extra push to tear away those barriers that may be preventing students
from learning and loving math.
CBS: In your experience as an educator for so many years, would you say the numeracy level has improved or declined?
KB: It has improved, but did so slowly and is still not at a satisfactory or acceptable level.
CBS: What do you think are some reasons for this?
KB:
As previously mentioned, a lot of individuals/students are afraid of
mathematics, and not a lot of measures have been put in place to address
this. There is also the misconception that once you know how to add,
subtract, multiply and divide, you need not know anything more - not
true at all. I also feel that our dependency on technology - to give us
answers without having to put in much effort - has spoiled us. Students
no longer want to sit, think and try to solve a math problem; they want
answers here and now. Unfortunately, some teachers tend to unknowingly
transmit negative energy concerning math to their students who, as a
result, are reluctant to spend quality time on the subject.
CBS:
In 2011, 71 per cent of students achieved mastery in the Grade Four
Literacy Test with 49 per cent in the numeracy test. A lot of attention
has been placed on improving literacy in Jamaica and not as much on
numeracy. Do you think that this carries over to the fact that we have
lower numeracy rates than literacy rates in Jamaica?
KB:
Definitely, it is not an easy problem to solve; it will take a lot of
effort. Sadly, we have chosen to focus on the easier problem to solve.
CBS: What kind of attention would you like to see placed on numeracy in Jamaica?
KB:
The Government needs to place math specialists in primary schools.
Also, I think more primary school teachers should have math at the CSEC
level and should be able to transfer accurate mathematical concepts to
their students. Emphasis should be placed on dispelling the phobia
associated with the subject. There should also be an expansion of the
curriculum, at the teachers' college [level], to focus more attention on
the math components and teaching methodologies.
CBS: Have you had
previous experience teaching mathematics at an all-boys or co-ed
school? And if so, do you find that gender plays a role in students'
performance?
KB: My entire career teaching mathematics has been
spent at an all-girls school. Not to say I have not taught boys, but I
usually teach them when they are believed to need some extra help. With
that in mind, it would be difficult to determine (from my experience) if
there is a gender difference.
CBS: Hampton has been the top
school in the M&M Mathematics Competition for quite a while now. To
what do you credit their success? Are there any specific
methods/lessons/techniques you use that give you these results?
KB: Dedicated teachers, who work together
teaching the same topics at the same time, give the same test, quiz and
exams for each year group. We have a syllabus for each year group that
we follow closely. As a department, we plan activities together and
assist each other where necessary. The students each teacher starts with
in Grade 7, are taught by that same teacher right up to Grade 11, so
the teacher knows each students' strengths and weaknesses and is able to
guide them accordingly. This also allows for greater continuity in the
content area.
Also, the students are intrinsically and
extrinsically motivated to acquire mathematics in fourth form (Grade
10), at the CSEC Level, and also to maintain a high standard of
work.
CBS: Can you recommend some ways that parents
and other teachers can get their children excited and performing better
at mathematics?
KB: The important thing is to let
children know that math is relevant. For every concept in math, teachers
should try to tie the concept with something that students can relate
to. Use examples that will turn on a light bulb in their minds, and keep
that interest going. It is important that parents also give the support
that students need; it is not a learning process for just the
child/children.
CBS: How do you think M&M's
Mathematics competition may be used as a stimulus for students to excel
academically?
KB: The Grade 7 student entering the
competition has to master work at the Grade 7, 8 and 9 level and the
student at Grade 10 has to master the CSEC level, therefore, these
students entering the competition will automatically perform above their
grade level.
Meet the math whizzes
Name: Delano Mullings
School: Munro College
Grade: 7
Place in M&M Math Competition: 2nd
Score: 78%
- Name: Adam Greenwood
School: St Elizabeth Technical High School
Grade: 8
Place in M&M Math Competition: 3rd
Score: 72%
Why do you like mathematics?
I like mathematics because I enjoy challenges. Mathematics is a very challenging subject and it forces me to think. It tests and also helps to enhance my analytical and problem-solving skills. You do not need to study for long hours as it is practise that makes a good mathematician. The advice I would give to the other students is: if you want to master Mathematics, you must practise. You must also learn to solve puzzles and challenge your mind by brainstorming questions. This will result in you being great at anything.
Mentor/inspiration?
My teacher, Mrs Francis-Forrest is my mentor. She is my mentor because she was my mathematics teacher in grade seven, and she inspired me to accept mathematics as a fun and interesting subject. Her passion for mathematics and the expertise she demonstrates while teaching the subject really amazes me and, as a result, mathematics is my favourite subject.
- Name: Nigel Phillips
School: Munro College
Grade: 8
Place in M&M Math Competition: 2nd
Score: 80%
- Name: Jade Francis
School: Munro College
Grade: 9
Place in M&M Math Competition: 2nd
Score: 87%
- Name: Shadae Stewart
School: Black River High School
Grade: 10
Place in M&M Math Competition: 3rd
Score: 71%
- Name: Rayon Gayle
School: Munro College
Grade: 10
Place in M&M Math Competition: 2nd
Score: 87%
- Name: Jermaine Daley
School: Magotty High School
Grade: 11
Place in M&M Math Competition: 2nd
Score: 94%
Why do you like mathematics?
I like mathematics because I am good with figures and it also helps me to improve my reasoning skills. Mathematics helps me to be the disciplined person I am, helps me to be more focused and organised. Mathematics requires a lot of practise in order to do well, I advise students to practise a lot and to seek help from their teachers, friends and relatives, who can do maths well.
Mentor/inspiration?
I have a lot of mentors, they are my maths teachers who know that I have the ability to do well in mathematics so they always advise me to do so.
- Name: Remellde Stevens
School: Newell High School
Grade: 11
Place in M&M Mathematics Competition: 2nd
Score: 94%
- Name: Rasharah Morrell
Grade: 11
Place in M&M Mathematics Competition: 2nd
Score: 94%
Why do you like mathematics?
Mathematics is challenging. It opens up my mind to infinite possibilities for solving one question and the feeling I get when I do solve a rather difficult question is simply exhilarating. Some advice I would like to give about Mathematics is that some individuals are blessed with the natural ability to excel in math. However, other persons weren't necessarily blessed with that gift. Mathematics requires a great deal of practise. One also needs to know their strengths and weaknesses so they can correct and better themselves. If students have any queries, they shouldn't hesitate to ask. Many persons have a fear for Math and allow that fear to hold them back. However, what they should do is conquer their fears. Students should approach the subject with an open mind and acquire as much past papers as possible. Time management is also a key in doing well in Math, so that's something students should also practise.
Mentor/inspiration?
My mentors are Ms Brown (Hampton math teacher), Mr McLeod (extra class teacher) and my parents.