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Science in English, 02. Math isn't hard, it's a language Part 2

02. Math isn't hard, it's a language Part 2

We need to take a language approach to math urgently because too many kids are lost and are anxious about math and it doesn't have to be that way! I worked with an angry, frustrated high-school student once who couldn't pass algebra because she only knew 44% of her multiplication facts. I told her:

"That's like trying to read and only knowing 44% of the alphabet. It's holding you back." She couldn't factor or solve equations and she had no confidence in Math. As a result, this teenager had no confidence in herself. I told her:

"We have to start with multiplication because once you know all your facts by heart, everything gets easier, and it'll be like having a fast pass to every ride of Disneyland." (Laughter)

What do you think?" And she said: "Ok." So she systematically learned her times tables in 4 weeks and yes, even multiplication has language embedded in it. You'd be surprised how many kids don't realize 7 times 3 can be spelled out as "seven times" 3, which just means 3 seven times, just like this. So when kids see it this way, they quickly realize that repeated addition is slow and inconvenient, so they gladly memorize that 3 seven times always gives you 21.

So for this teenager who was at risk of dropping out, becoming fluent and confident in multiplication was a game changer. Because for the first time she could focus on problem solving instead of counting on her fingers.

I knew she had turned the corner when she figured out that a 2-year car lease at $445 a month would cost you $10,680 and she looked at me disapprovingly and said:

"Mr Polisoc, that's expensive!" (Laughter)

At that moment, math was no longer causing problems for her, but she was using math to solve problems as a responsible adult would. As an educator, it's my duty to challenge kids to reach higher, so I leave you with this challenge. Our country is stuck at 26% proficiency, and I challenge you to push that number higher. This is important because mathematical thinking not only builds young minds, but our kids need it to imagine and build a future that doesn't yet exist. Meeting this challenge can be as simple as apples + apples. Insist that we teach Math as a human language and we will get there sooner, rather than later.

Thank you!

(Applause)


02. Math isn't hard, it's a language Part 2 02. Mathematik ist nicht schwer, sie ist eine Sprache Teil 2 02. Las matemáticas no son difíciles, son un lenguaje Parte 2 02.数学は難しくない。 02. Matematika nėra sunki, tai kalba 2 dalis 02. A matemática não é difícil, é uma linguagem Parte 2 02. Математика - это не сложно, это язык Часть 2 02. Matematik zor değildir, bir dildir Bölüm 2 02. Математика - це не складно, це мова Частина 2 02. 数学并不难，它是一门语言 第 2 部分 02.数学并不难，它是一种语言 第 2 部分

We need to take a language approach to math urgently because too many kids are lost and are anxious about math and it doesn't have to be that way! I worked with an angry, frustrated high-school student once who couldn't pass algebra because she only knew 44% of her multiplication facts. I told her:

"That's like trying to read and only knowing 44% of the alphabet. It's holding you back." She couldn't factor or solve equations and she had no confidence in Math. As a result, this teenager had no confidence in herself. I told her:

"We have to start with multiplication because once you know all your facts by heart, everything gets easier, and it'll be like having a fast pass to every ride of Disneyland." “我们必须从乘法开始，因为一旦您一心了解所有事实，一切都会变得容易，这就像快速进入迪士尼乐园的每趟旅程一样。” (Laughter)

What do you think?" And she said: "Ok." So she systematically learned her times tables in 4 weeks and yes, even multiplication has language embedded in it. You'd be surprised how many kids don't realize 7 times 3 can be spelled out as "seven times" 3, which just means 3 seven times, just like this. 您会感到惊讶的是，有多少个孩子没有意识到7乘以3可以拼写为“七乘” 3，这意味着3乘以七乘，就像这样。 So when kids see it this way, they quickly realize that repeated addition is slow and inconvenient, so they gladly memorize that 3 seven times always gives you 21.

So for this teenager who was at risk of dropping out, becoming fluent and confident in multiplication was a game changer. 因此，对于这个有辍学，流利，对乘法充满信心的少年来说，这将改变游戏规则。 Because for the first time she could focus on problem solving instead of counting on her fingers. 因为这是她第一次可以专注于解决问题，而不是依靠手指。

I knew she had turned the corner when she figured out that a 2-year car lease at $445 a month would cost you $10,680 and she looked at me disapprovingly and said:

"Mr Polisoc, that's expensive!" (Laughter)

At that moment, math was no longer causing problems for her, but she was using math to solve problems as a responsible adult would. As an educator, it's my duty to challenge kids to reach higher, so I leave you with this challenge. Our country is stuck at 26% proficiency, and I challenge you to push that number higher. This is important because mathematical thinking not only builds young minds, but our kids need it to imagine and build a future that doesn't yet exist. Meeting this challenge can be as simple as apples + apples. Insist that we teach Math as a human language and we will get there sooner, rather than later.

Thank you!

(Applause)