The Teacher's Breakroom

Spend a little time in a math classroom and you’ll often see students questioning why they should do their math work the hard way…especially when all they have to do is press a few buttons and immediately get the right answer.

It’s easy to understand why they may think this way. After all, children are growing up in the rapidly advancing Age of Technology where the push of a button yields instant everything — from micro waved popcorn to IM chats with friends.

But Does Fast and Easy = Best?

Using a student calculator is like riding your bike to school. It’s faster than walking, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll get to your destination without a hitch. In other words, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll never get to where you’re going.

In order for the answer that “magically” appears on the calculator screen to make sense, students obviously need to understand how the number was derived. That’s why many teachers feel it’s perfectly acceptable for students to use calculators, but with one stipulation:

They have to demonstrate they understand the math behind the answer.

Though calculators have been easily accessible for more than 40 years, the debate over how they should be used in the classroom rages on. Many parents insist math should be taught the way they learned it — through rote drill and practice. To their way of thinking, using calculators is like “cheating.”

Technology is essential to remain competitive

However, for many reasons it’s important that students utilize technology at every opportunity – just as they will be expected to do once they are outside the classroom. After all, the classroom is supposed to be a miniature “real world” environment and preparing students to be comfortable and proficient with technology should be par for the course.

Also, students who aren’t allowed to use calculators in the classroom are at a disadvantage when it comes to taking statewide, standardized tests.  And as long as technology continues to advance, students will need to be able to keep up. After all, we don’t use slide rulers anymore nor do we write with a quill and ink well.

Some educators argue that the use of calculators make it possible to introduce more complex math at an earlier age. Graphing calculators make it much easier to understand geometry, for example.

But the real question remains… “Do calculators help or hinder the is understanding of basic mathematical concepts?”

Research suggests that it does neither, though research was halted in 1986. So, the debate continues in the educational community — which is better, ease or understanding?

At the end of the day, most educators and parents will agree that calculators are no substitute for understanding.

It doesn’t matter what the subject is, all students enjoy entering a classroom that is brightly decorated with colorful, whimsical, and educational displays. Just because math is considered a “left brain” discipline doesn’t mean the math classroom has to be completely analytical!  Many math teachers enjoy tapping into their “right brain” and letting their creative side have its way.

Obviously, the idea is to create a positive learning environment that continuously fosters learning math concepts.  One way to do this is through the strategic use of classroom decorations.

So if you’re a teacher looking for ideas to spruce up your math classroom with entertaining yet educational decorations, here are 9 ideas that may inspire you.

1. Visit our teacher supply store and pick up mathematical borders to trim your doorway or even around the perimeter of your room. Or you can laminate construction paper that has math symbols or formulas on them and create your own border.

2. Designate an area of your room to celebrate famous female mathematicians. Often times girls are not confident in their math skills and seeing positive role models in the classroom may make them may feel more comfortable.

3. Don’t forget about math projects — students love to see their project displayed in the classroom and they also make for attractive decorations as well.

4. Have students create posters about career opportunities in math. Another idea is to have students interview their parents to find out how they use math in their daily job, then have students make a display with visuals, formulas, and a brief report.

5. Scatter biographical posters of famous historical mathematicians around the room. You could even have an area in your room specifically devoted to the history of math and how it has progressed through the ages.

6. Use colorful storage containers for hiding away rulers, composition, graph paper, calculators, and manipulatives.

7.  Bring in small table lamps to help create the desired mood.  During quite independent work, you may want to turn the lighting down low.  During teacher presentation or busy group work, use the overhead lights.

8.  Create a cozy corner where students can use math manipulatives, play appropriate card games, or construct puzzles.  Students love to move around and this also provides an outlet for kinesthetic learners.

9. Last, but not least, use your bulletin board as a canvas. If the class is studying geometry you can find (or make your own) geometric symbols and shapes from colorful, laminated paper. One idea for younger students is to place geometric shapes such as a trapezoid or parallelogram on the bulletin board. Then have students bring in a picture of something in nature that has the same shape. Tape their pictures underneath the corresponding shape.

When you use your math classroom decorations wisely, you’ll not only furnish an area that is warm and attractive, but one that is conducive to mastering math concepts as well.