In responding to the student who asks "When am I ever going to use this?" a response I have come up with is "You can't possibly know when this knowledge might be useful in your future because your future is not here yet to be able to predict what you might benefit from knowing; therefore, why not take advantage of this time in your life to learn what you can from the opportunities you have available so that you have knowledge and skill to draw upon when a future opportunity presents itself". Here is a real-world example from my own life. When I was in 4th grade our school offered students a chance to learn to play a musical instrument. I expressed interest and I was offered a chance to learn to play drums. I played drums for the next 3 years but then decided that I didn't really like just playing a base drum and triangle so I decided to quit. But I really did like music and I liked listening to a neighbor practicing a trombone. I liked the sound so I learned that I could quit drums (no drumlines at that time) and switched to a trombone from grades 7-12. When I was in 10th grade, my high school band was selected to go to the 1960 Winter Olympics and play in the opening ceremonies which were lead by Walt Disney. Because I had switched to trombone and had just quit drums but not quit instrumental music, I had the awesome opportunity to be at the center of the stage and see the Olympics. Additionally, in my Junior and Senior years of High School, since I knew something about playing percussion and because I lived one block from the Richmond Auditorium and Art Center when their orchestra needed was short a percussionist, I was invited to play with our town's Symphony Orchestra. There were two in the section and I became the third member. Another awesome fun activity that would not have been possible had I not banged on a drum in elementary school for 3 years. These musical opportunities would not have been possible had I not decided to learn to play musical instruments along the way. Speaking specifically about middle school math (and hs) I liked geometry and when i walk into a room even today I enjoy seeing how physical objects such as tables and chairs and wall coverings and such are put together. This would also apply if I walked into a Middle School classroom where I have been a volunteer. So I paid attention to shapes and measuring things in math class which later lead to my designing and building shelves in my garage and book cases and tables as an adult. Yes, I know I can buy these things and pay someone to build shelves but why shouldn't I be able to do those things for myself exactly how i want them as an adult. So learning math has led to my saving money by performing work for myself. This is why you should learn what you can in middle school math class because knowledge can create its own opportunity and can open doors for just plain fun. Prayers and best wishes on your journey ahead, Stan Jones, parent, grandparent and former middle school math volunteer imajones comcast
Everything that middle school math (and other) students like to play with as enjoyable toys/tools and everything that "humans" have built and tools/machines used were all imagined, designed, and built by humans involves all of the physical sciences with mathematics as one of the tools of science. Our son had friends growing up that loved the game systems when they first came out decades ago like Atari and Commodore 64 and Apple II. One of his friends decided that he liked playing games and thought he might like learning to write software and design games where he got paid. Following high school Matt went to University of California, Davis where he majored in Computer Science. Upon graduation his wish became reality when Matt was hired by a game company. Since then, he has been enjoying getting paid for (to him) having fun. For your MS Teacher group maybe work up examples of where each concept you are teaching might be used in an adult profession. Since your MS kids cannot know where their future might take them, they should learn all they can along the way to give themselves the most options in life. Math skills are like riding a bicycle. Once learned never forgotten.
In responding to the student who asks "When am I ever going to use this?"
a response I have come up with is
"You can't possibly know when this knowledge might be useful in your future because your future is not here
yet to be able to predict what you might benefit from knowing; therefore, why not take advantage of this
time in your life to learn what you can from the opportunities you have available so that you have
knowledge and skill to draw upon when a future opportunity presents itself".
Here is a real-world example from my own life.
When I was in 4th grade our school offered students a chance to learn to play a musical instrument.
I expressed interest and I was offered a chance to learn to play drums. I played drums for the next 3 years
but then decided that I didn't really like just playing a base drum and triangle so I decided to quit.
But I really did like music and I liked listening to a neighbor practicing a trombone. I liked the sound
so I learned that I could quit drums (no drumlines at that time) and switched to a trombone from grades 7-12.
When I was in 10th grade, my high school band was selected to go to the 1960 Winter Olympics and play in
the opening ceremonies which were lead by Walt Disney. Because I had switched to trombone and had just
quit drums but not quit instrumental music, I had the awesome opportunity to be at the center of the stage
and see the Olympics.
Additionally, in my Junior and Senior years of High School, since I knew something about playing percussion
and because I lived one block from the Richmond Auditorium and Art Center when their orchestra needed
was short a percussionist, I was invited to play with our town's Symphony Orchestra. There were two in the section
and I became the third member. Another awesome fun activity that would not have been possible had I not
banged on a drum in elementary school for 3 years.
These musical opportunities would not have been possible had I not decided to learn to play musical instruments
along the way.
Speaking specifically about middle school math (and hs) I liked geometry and when i walk into a room even today
I enjoy seeing how physical objects such as tables and chairs and wall coverings and such are put together. This
would also apply if I walked into a Middle School classroom where I have been a volunteer. So I paid attention
to shapes and measuring things in math class which later lead to my designing and building shelves in my garage
and book cases and tables as an adult. Yes, I know I can buy these things and pay someone to build shelves but
why shouldn't I be able to do those things for myself exactly how i want them as an adult. So learning math has
led to my saving money by performing work for myself.
This is why you should learn what you can in middle school math class because knowledge can create its own
opportunity and can open doors for just plain fun.
Prayers and best wishes on your journey ahead,
Stan Jones, parent, grandparent and former middle school math volunteer
imajones comcast
Everything that middle school math (and other) students like to play with as enjoyable toys/tools and everything
that "humans" have built and tools/machines used were all imagined, designed, and built by humans involves
all of the physical sciences with mathematics as one of the tools of science.
Our son had friends growing up that loved the game systems when they first came out decades ago like
Atari and Commodore 64 and Apple II. One of his friends decided that he liked playing games and thought
he might like learning to write software and design games where he got paid. Following high school Matt
went to University of California, Davis where he majored in Computer Science. Upon graduation his wish became
reality when Matt was hired by a game company. Since then, he has been enjoying getting paid for (to him)
having fun.
For your MS Teacher group maybe work up examples of where each concept you are teaching might be used
in an adult profession. Since your MS kids cannot know where their future might take them, they should learn all
they can along the way to give themselves the most options in life. Math skills are like riding a bicycle. Once learned
never forgotten.