Primary Grades Math Education
Educate Yourself: A Cross Country Comparison
Contact Us
A large variety of research went into creating this site. Please use this information as a resource to inform you and your teaching or instructional practices.
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Let us know what questions or responses you have. Feedback is appreciated and I will respond as soon as possible.
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Before filling out the contact form, please look at the frequently asked questions below.
F.A.Q.
Q. Why is it important to be aware of other culture's practices?
A. When we know our options, we can then make an informed decision about what is best for us as teachers, parents, or members of the community. Being a knowledgeable citizen is essential in this day and age to our roles as citizens. Often teachers and district employees are taught one method and not made aware of the various options available to them. Students' may come from a variety of cultures and backgrounds and bring various methods and aspects to the classroom. Being aware breeds acceptance for those, and all students.
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Q. Where can I find out more?
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A. It took a lot of research to compile this site. Please see the resources that went into this site as well as a list of links to sites which are known to have reliable information. If you do not see what you are looking for in either of these sections, please fill out the above form with a description of what you are looking for.
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Q. Could I, as a parent, be effecting my students with my math anxiety?
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A. As much as we do not want this to be the case, studies show that math anxiety among parents can effect their children. When you become aware of this situation, then you are already taking the first step. There are many options available to help your child in math. Effort praise is shown to be beneficial to students. Praise the work that your child puts into their math homework (and other subjects), be specific! The important part here is that the child knows that they do not have to be 'born with' math talents; working hard will benefit them. Another step for parents to take is to contact your child's teacher and ask for some information on what your child will be learning. Each district and teacher may have different steps or styles, and knowing what specifically your child is learning will help you, to help them! Look at our list of resources to learn more!
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Q. How good is my countries education system?
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A. For 2016, the OECD better life index rated Finland #1 for education satisfaction, with Estonia in second and Denmark in third. The United Stated is ranked in 21st place. Check out the OECD's website, here, for specifics about your countries' educational system and rankings.
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Q. What is a learning style?
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A. Students learn in different ways. You may have heard a friend in the past say that they are a "visual" learner, or perhaps that they haev a photographic memory. These terms are related to learning style. Every child approaches a problem differently, the "term "learning style" indicates preferred or habitual patterns of mental functioning and dealing with new information" (Gresham, 2007, p. 25). A person's learning style is related to their personality and memory consolidation and encoding processes.
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Q. Do I have math anxiety?
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A. There are numerous sites, such as this one, which ask questions to help people identify math anxiety tendencies, but math anxiety is not something that one gets an official diagnosis for. If you are a teacher or parent and are nervous about your potential for math anxiety and/or math anxiety in your children, educate yourself! There are numerous books and articles available that can help with approaching math anxiety.
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