Happy 2013 and a big warm welcome to the new Museum of Mathematics in New York City! A new widely publicized study links motivation and study habits (rather than IQ) to Math success. With the New Year, Designing 2013 is meant to help you think about goals and progress for the coming year. Robin will give a workshop on Managing Time for Success on January 30th at The College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Recommended Visiting
Math still needs better PR! Timeout NY's tag line for MoMath was "Preview the first institution dedicated to the least-favorite subject of sixth-graders everywhere." Visit MoMath in Midtown Manhattan which was based on the too-short-lived Goudreau Museum of Mathematics on Long Island. Cleverly, the ground floor is marked "0" and the lower level is labelled -1. The Math Square challenge is to follow the path from Start to Finish without making any left turns. The Enigma Cafe has puzzles for solving such as Rubik's Cube, Rush Hour and Tangrams. There is a wonderful gift shop -- perhaps some workbooks could be offered so people can practice their Math skills!
This museum gets a Must See but there is also a need for the Museum of Math Homework or the Math Homework Cafe as students need to practice their skills to gain knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of Math.
How can we help students succeed in Math? Although many people believe that IQ determines Math (and other) success, a recent study has shown that motivation and study habits are key factors. This is not new news as it confirms the ideas behind Carol Dweck's 2007 book Mindset discusses how the growth mindset vs the fixed mindset affects people as students, workers and parents.
The New Year is an excellent time for looking forward. How was 2012? What were some new things that were terrific and how can you figure out what you want in 2013? There are differing views on setting goals and it is important to read about them and decide for yourself. An excellent tools for setting goals is Darren's Hardy's Design Your Best Year Ever Workbook and ebook inspires (the Why is more important than the How) and helps you track activity and progress (two pages for every week of the year along with monthly updates).
1. I have some pencils and some jars. If I put 4 pencils into each jar I will have one jar left over. If I put 3 pencils into each jar I will have one pencil left over. How many pencils and how many jars?
2. Again I have some pencils and some jars. If I put 9 pencils into each jar I will have two jars left over. If I put 6 pencils into each jar I will have three pencils left over. How many pencils and how many jars?
