tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075593398139537131.post7767438681470834010..comments2024-03-12T02:19:51.554-07:00Comments on Without Geometry, Life is Pointless: Show Your WorkAvery Pickfordhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10433339146333801163noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075593398139537131.post-70926415181134231082010-12-05T15:10:53.448-08:002010-12-05T15:10:53.448-08:00As a teacher in training I have appreciated the or...As a teacher in training I have appreciated the original post and all of the comments. They will stick with me as tools of the trade - especially the choices: of audience, of words, and of approach to the problem. Giving them the answer and asking them to demonstrate how and why is a great paradigm shift. Especially if you throw in a wrong answer once in awhile to appease the contrarian inside. Another way of building confidence through play; keeping them on their toes.Ms. Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13369333967355081304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075593398139537131.post-16752281247093438682010-10-23T19:43:26.118-07:002010-10-23T19:43:26.118-07:00The classic (super-annoying) response is: "Bu...The classic (super-annoying) response is: "But I already know the answer. Why do I have to do anything?"<br /><br />Kids who have been trained that the only important thing in math class is to find the answer tend to have a difficult time conceptualizing that that is not the be-all and end-all of mathematics. I've found that the "good" students sometimes have the most difficulty with this ideaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075593398139537131.post-20794348268533856372010-10-23T17:57:28.560-07:002010-10-23T17:57:28.560-07:00I forget where I first saw this idea, but I have f...I forget where I first saw this idea, but I have found it extremely useful.<br /><br />Instead of exhausting myself repeating the zombie math teacher mantra, I've started rephrasing problems (especially for my Algebra 1 students) so that students have no *choice* but to show their work. <br /><br />What is the point of arguing with the demands of a problem like this one?<br /><br />Ex. #1: The solution to 3(x+2) +5 = 20 is x=3. Demonstrate how and why this is so.<br /><br />My sense is that what's most frustrating (and enervating) is getting into a contest of wills with an adolescent. So for the sake of one's own sanity, why not reframe the interaction in a way that will work well for both parties?<br /><br />This problem has something for everybody. It gives me the demonstration of problem-solving, computation, and mathematical reasoning I need to assess their progress. And they get a clear task statement, along with the training and practice they will need to develop thorough and appropriate problem-solving habits.<br /><br />Anyway, it's been working so far.<br /><br />Elizabethcheesemonkeysfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311170815422010013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075593398139537131.post-90500885413918685772010-10-19T16:43:55.296-07:002010-10-19T16:43:55.296-07:00Other options we use: Explain your thinking; justi...Other options we use: Explain your thinking; justify your answer.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13055218804787967235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075593398139537131.post-89992659535814169862010-10-19T08:52:21.562-07:002010-10-19T08:52:21.562-07:00I really like this post, and It got me thinking a ...I really like this post, and It got me thinking a lot about the value of showing work in the subject I reach, physics. I wrote up a post with some of my musings: <a href="http://quantumprogress.wordpress.com/2010/10/19/on-the-value-of-showing-work-and-corrections/" rel="nofollow">On the value of showing work and corrections. </a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06706432911374565930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075593398139537131.post-7480612360492318852010-10-18T21:10:13.173-07:002010-10-18T21:10:13.173-07:00@Norlin: Steal away! Glad you found my alien audi...@Norlin: Steal away! Glad you found my alien audience amusing. My students do also...especially once they realize that our alien is a benevolent ruler.<br /><br />@A: While it's true that I didn't ask for suggestions, they are always welcome. Especially spot on suggestions. Your comment reminded me of another reason that I've asked my students to show work...to increase their score on a test. Blah...And I don't know if this was intentional, but I like your distinction between "show your work" and "show your steps to your thinking" or "show your reasoning."Avery Pickfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10433339146333801163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075593398139537131.post-73373110891708994242010-10-18T10:59:48.356-07:002010-10-18T10:59:48.356-07:00You didn't ask for a suggestion...so feel free...You didn't ask for a suggestion...so feel free to ignore completely...yet I think it might be helpful.<br /><br />A few years back my students and I had a very frank conversation about "Show your work" and all the gray hair I was getting by saying it so often. Long conversation later, to the students in all came down to "I have to show this so that you know I didn't cheat. You don't really need to see it." I was horrified because that was not the intent. I wanted to see the steps in their thinking. One student said, "Well then why don't you just say that. Jeez, you want us to be precise, so why aren't you?!?"<br /><br />I identify with the "love my job" sentiments.<br /><br />Anyway, from then on I have always asked students to show the steps to their thinking. Amazing what a huge difference a few words have made. Students have been willing to show how they thought about the problem/task and then compare with each other.Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01937775744544050217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1075593398139537131.post-71652384906145843392010-10-17T23:42:51.809-07:002010-10-17T23:42:51.809-07:00Hilarious - I'm going to use the alien in my c...Hilarious - I'm going to use the alien in my class.enzuberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15258424253649444449noreply@blogger.com