Attitudes about math can be directly related to success (or lack of) in math. Some individuals enjoy math, some don't. Some even believe you have to have the 'math gene' to do well in math. What's your take? Love it? Hate it? Wonder why you have to take it? Take the poll and see what our readers think.
Think about the restaurant scenario: The bill is all on one tab and the diners want to contribute their portion. The first person passes it along to the second person who says, 'here you figure it out, I'm not good at math.' A common occurrence, but have you ever seen the bill being passed around and the response 'here you read it, I'm not good at reading.' Now is that a negative attitude?See also, this Educational Leadership Article about Attitude Adjustments in math.
Comments
Attitude shmattitude, what counts is explanation, not truth or attitude or usefulness or reasoning or fun or success or anything else. The trouble with mathematics teaching is the apparently universal ignorance of the concept of and need for EXPLANATION.
If a kid works hard and has a dedicated teacher, they can do well, especially at the levels prior to advanced high school math. You do need the math gene to excel at higher levels.
I think attitude plays a lot into it. Many students have parents (and teachers) who profess a fear, even hatred, of math. This thinking gets ingrained and many student feel it is useless to try, that failure is destined.
I think it is terrible when I hear teachers talk about math like this, even bragging how little math they know. It only serves to make kids think that math is not needed. Few would ever say that about speaking English correctly or being able to read. Those are stigmas in our society while lack of math ability is perceived as acceptable.