Math isn't hard, it's a language | Randy Palisoc | TEDxManhattanBeach

Summary

The speaker addresses the low math proficiency rate among U.S. 12th graders, arguing that the issue lies in the dehumanized teaching of math rather than a lack of innate ability. By treating math as a language, similar to English or Spanish, and using real-world examples, math can be made intuitive and understandable for all students. The speaker shares personal experiences teaching fractions and multiplication, emphasizing the importance of language in making math accessible and inspiring confidence in students to solve real-life problems.

Takeaways

• 📊 Only 26% of U.S. 12th graders are proficient in Math, indicating a significant educational challenge.
• 🤔 The speaker challenges the notion that only a fixed percentage of people are 'hardwired' for Math, suggesting instead that teaching methods are at fault.
• 👩‍🏫 Math should be taught as a human language, similar to English or Spanish, to make it more relatable and understandable.
• 🏛 Math has been essential throughout history for trade, building, and farming, highlighting its practical origins.
• 📚 The abstraction of Math from its real-world applications has led to confusion among students.
• 🍎 Teaching Math through everyday examples, like adding apples, can make complex concepts more intuitive for children.
• 📐 Fractions, foundational to higher math, are often misunderstood due to poor teaching methods.
• 👧 Even very young children can understand basic Math concepts when taught using language and relatable examples.
• 📈 Mastery of multiplication tables is crucial for students to succeed in algebra and beyond.
• 🔑 Language-based learning can help students internalize Math facts quickly and effectively.
• 🌟 Building confidence in Math is key to helping students overcome anxiety and excel in problem-solving.
• 🚀 The speaker calls for a change in Math education to treat it as a human language, which can unlock students' potential and improve national proficiency.

Q & A

What is the current proficiency rate of U.S. 12th graders in Math according to the nation's report card?

The proficiency rate of U.S. 12th graders in Math is 26%, as mentioned in the script.

What does the speaker believe is the reason behind the low proficiency rate in Math among students?

The speaker believes that students struggle with Math because it has been taught as a dehumanized subject, rather than as a human language that makes sense in the context of the real world.

Why does the speaker compare Math to languages like English, Spanish, or Chinese?

The speaker compares Math to these languages because, like them, Math is a means of communication that has been essential for trade, building, and land measurement since ancient times.

What philosopher is quoted in the script, and what did they say about the relationship between the laws of nature and mathematics?

The philosopher Galileo is quoted, saying, 'The laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics,' implying that Math is intrinsic to understanding the world around us.

Why do students find fractions confusing according to the script?

Students find fractions confusing because the way they are taught has become abstract and disconnected from the real-world context, making it difficult for students to relate to and understand.

What is the 'apples + apples' lesson mentioned in the script, and how does it help students understand fractions?

The 'apples + apples' lesson is a teaching method where the teacher starts with simple, relatable objects like apples to illustrate the concept of adding fractions. It helps students understand that adding like items (apples in this case) results in a sum that still represents the same kind of item, thus making the concept of adding fractions more intuitive.

How did the speaker's 5-year-old niece demonstrate understanding of adding fractions without knowing about numerators and denominators?

The niece demonstrated understanding by using the analogy of adding apples to comprehend the addition of one third plus one third, which she correctly answered as '2 thirds,' showing that she grasped the concept without needing to know the formal mathematical terms.

What high-school algebra question did the speaker's 5-year-old niece answer correctly, and what does this suggest about the potential for all students to understand Math?

The niece correctly answered the question 'What's 7 x² plus 2 x²?' with '9 x².' This suggests that all students have the potential to understand Math if it is taught in a way that is intuitive and relatable to them.

Why did the high-school student the speaker worked with struggle with algebra, and how was this issue resolved?

The high-school student struggled with algebra because she only knew 44% of her multiplication facts, which is like trying to read without knowing most of the alphabet. The issue was resolved by systematically learning her times tables, which improved her overall fluency and confidence in Math.

What challenge does the speaker issue to the audience, and why is it important for the future?

The speaker challenges the audience to push the Math proficiency rate higher than the current 26%. It is important because mathematical thinking is crucial for young minds to imagine and build a future that doesn't yet exist, and teaching Math as a human language can help achieve this goal.

Outlines

00:00

🔢 Improving Math Proficiency in the US

The speaker highlights a concerning statistic: only 26% of U.S. 12th graders are proficient in Math. They argue that this is far from exceptional and that the country needs to do better. The speaker challenges the notion that only a small percentage of people are naturally good at Math and suggests that the way Math is taught—as a dehumanized subject—confuses kids. By teaching Math as a human language, like English or Spanish, it can become more understandable. The speaker provides historical context, noting that Math has always been a human language used for practical purposes like trade and construction. They criticize the current abstract teaching methods and advocate for a more intuitive, language-based approach to teaching Math to children.

05:01

📘 Simplifying Math for Better Understanding

The speaker continues by giving an example of a complicated 3rd-grade Math standard about fractions, which is difficult for children to understand. They argue that fractions are fundamental to advanced Math topics and should be made simpler for kids. Using a language-based approach, the speaker demonstrates how to teach fractions in an intuitive way by comparing them to simple objects like apples and pencils. They share a personal story about teaching fractions to a 5-year-old using this method, which proved effective. This approach helps children grasp concepts without getting bogged down by technical terms like numerators and denominators. The speaker emphasizes the importance of making Math intuitive and accessible from an early age to build a strong foundation for future learning.

Keywords

💡Proficiency

Proficiency refers to the degree of skill or expertise in a particular area. In the video's context, it's used to describe the percentage of 12th graders who are considered competent in Math. The script highlights that only 26% of U.S. 12th graders are proficient in Math, which is a concern raised to emphasize the need for improvement in math education.

💡Dehumanized Subject

A dehumanized subject is one that is taught or perceived as devoid of human connection or relevance. The speaker argues that Math has been taught this way, leading to a lack of understanding among students. The video promotes the idea that by reconnecting Math to its human origins and applications, it can become more comprehensible and meaningful.

💡Human Language

In the script, 'human language' is used metaphorically to describe Math as a means of communication among people, similar to verbal languages like English or Spanish. The concept is central to the video's message, suggesting that understanding Math as a language can make it more accessible and relatable, as illustrated by the historical need for Math in trade, construction, and agriculture.

💡Abstraction

Abstraction in the context of the video refers to the process of removing Math from its real-world applications and making it overly theoretical. The speaker criticizes this approach, stating that it has led to confusion among students. The example of the 3rd-grade California Math Standard provided in the script exemplifies abstraction, making it difficult for an eight-year-old to grasp the concept of fractions.

💡Fractions

Fractions are a fundamental concept in Math, representing a part of a whole. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding fractions early on, as they are foundational to more advanced topics like algebra and calculus. The speaker uses the 'apples + apples' analogy to demonstrate how teaching Math as a language can clarify the concept of fractions for students.

💡Numerators and Denominators

Numerators and denominators are the terms used in a fraction to indicate the part and the whole, respectively. In the video, the speaker points out that young students may not yet understand these terms but can still grasp the concept of adding fractions by using everyday language and relatable examples, such as adding apples or thirds.

💡Multiplication Facts

Multiplication facts refer to the basic products of multiplication, such as the result of 7 times 3. The script uses the story of a high-school student struggling with algebra due to not knowing her multiplication facts, highlighting the importance of these foundational skills. The video suggests that mastering multiplication facts can significantly improve a student's ability to tackle more complex math problems.

💡Language Approach

The language approach to teaching Math, as advocated in the video, involves incorporating verbal language and real-world examples to make mathematical concepts more tangible and understandable. This approach is exemplified by the 'apples + apples' lesson and the emphasis on using words alongside numbers to clarify mathematical operations.

💡Algebra

Algebra is a branch of Math that involves the use of variables and symbols to represent numbers and solve equations. The video script mentions algebra in the context of fractions being foundational to it. The speaker's 5-year-old niece is able to answer an algebraic question about combining like terms without formal knowledge of exponents, demonstrating the intuitive understanding that can come from a language approach to Math.

💡Problem Solving

Problem solving in Math involves applying mathematical concepts to find solutions to real-world or hypothetical scenarios. The video script illustrates the transformation of a high-school student who, after becoming proficient in multiplication, is able to focus on problem solving rather than basic calculations, indicating a shift from struggling with Math to using it as a tool.

💡Educational Challenge

The educational challenge presented in the video is to improve the national proficiency rate in Math beyond the current 26%. The speaker calls for a change in the way Math is taught, advocating for a human language approach to make it more intuitive and accessible, thereby preparing students to imagine and build the future.

Highlights

26% of U.S. 12th graders are proficient in Math, which raises concerns about the country's educational standards.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of improving math proficiency in the U.S. as a national priority.

The notion that only a small percentage of people are 'hardwired' for Math is debunked; the issue lies in how Math is taught.

Math should be taught as a human language, making it more relatable and easier for students to understand.

Historical context shows that Math has always been a fundamental part of human communication and problem-solving.

The overly abstract way Math is currently taught leads to confusion among students.

A real-world example of a complex math standard illustrates how current teaching methods can be difficult for young students to grasp.

The 'apples + apples' method demonstrates a simpler way to teach fractions by relating them to everyday language.

Even young children can understand fractions and algebraic concepts when taught using relatable language.

Teaching Math as a language can significantly improve students' understanding and confidence.

A case study of a high school student shows the transformative effect of mastering multiplication on overall math proficiency.

Memorizing multiplication facts can shift focus from basic calculations to higher-level problem-solving.

Understanding multiplication as repeated addition helps students grasp concepts more intuitively.

A student's realization of the cost of a car lease through math demonstrates practical applications of math skills.

The speaker challenges the audience to improve national math proficiency, emphasizing its importance for future innovation and problem-solving.

Teaching Math as a human language could accelerate progress in math education, benefiting students and society.

Transcripts

Transcriber: Radu Chirila Reviewer: Ariana Bleau Lugo

26% on the nation's report card,

that's the percentage of U.S. 12th graders

who are proficient in Math.

In America, we pride ourselves as being an exceptional country.

But does 26% sound exceptional to you?

Raise your hand if you think as a country we need to do way better than this.

I'm with you.

We all need Math, but why are so many kids confused by it?

Is it because only 26% of people are hardwired for Math,

while 74% are not?

After working with thousands of kids, I can tell you,

this isn't the case at all.

Kids don't understand Math

because we've been teaching it as a dehumanized subject.

But if we make Math human again, it will start to make sense again.

You're probably wondering:

"How was Math ever human in the first place?"

So, think about it.

(Laughter)

Math is a human language, just like English, Spanish or Chinese,

because it allows people to communicate with each other.

Even in ancient times, people needed the language of Math

to conduct trade, to build monuments,

and to measure the land for farming.

This idea of Math as a language isn't exactly new.

A great philosopher once said:

"The laws of nature are written in the language of mathematics."

So you see? Even Galileo agrees with me.

(Laughter)

But somewhere along the line,

we've taken this language of math,

which is about the real world around us,

and we've abstracted it beyond recognition.

And that's why kids are confused.

Let me show you what I mean.

Read this 3rd grade California Math Standard

and see if it would make sense to an eight year-old.

"Understand a fraction 1/b as the quantity formed by 1 part

when a whole is partitioned into b equal parts."

Understand the fraction a/b

as the quantity formed by a parts of size 1/b.

(Laughter)

And if you gave this description to an 8 year-old,

you'd probably get a reaction... like this.

(Laughter)

To a Math expert, this standard makes sense,

But to a kid, it's absolute torture.

I chose this example specifically because fractions

are fundational to algebra, trigonometry and even calculus.

So if kids don't understand fractions in elementary and middle school,

they have a tough road ahead of them in high-school

But is there a way to make fractions simple and easy for kids to understand?

Yes!

Just remember that Math is a language and use that to your advantage.

For example, when I teach 5th graders how to add and subtract fractions,

I start with the apples + apples lesson.

First I ask, "What's 1 apple plus 1 apple?"

And kids will often say 2, which is partially correct.

Have them include the words as well since math is a language.

So it's not just 2, it's 2 apples.

Next is 3 pencils plus 2 pencils.

You all know that pencils + pencils give you pencils,

so everyone, how many pencils?

Audience: 5 pencils.

5 pencils is right.

And the key is you included the words.

I tried this lesson with my 5-year-old niece once.

After she added pencils and pencils, I asked her,

"What's 4 billion plus 1 billion?"

And my aunt overheard this and she scolded me and said,

"Are you crazy? She's in kindergarten!

How's she supposed to know 4 billion plus 1 billion?!"

(Laughter)

Undaunted, my niece finishes counting, looks up and says:

"5 billion?"

And I said: "That is right, it is 5 billion."

My aunt just shook her head and laughed

because she did not expect that from a 5-year-old.

But all you have to do is take a language approach

and Math becomes intuitive and easy to understand.

Then I asked her a question

that kindergartners are definitely not supposed to know:

"What's one third plus one third?"

And immediately she answered: "2 thirds".

So if you're wondering how could she possibly know that

when she doesn't know about numerators and denominators yet?

You see, she wasn't thinking about numerators and denominators.

She thought of the problem this way.

And she used 1 apple + 1 apple as her analogy

to understand 1 third plus 1 third.

So if even a kidergartner can add fractions,

you better believe that every 5th grader can do it as well.

(Applause)

Just for fun, I asked her a high-school algebra question:

What's 7 x² plus 2 x²?

And this little 5-year-old girl correctly answered,

9 x².

And she didn't need any exponent rules to figure that out.

So when people say that we are either hardwired for math or not,

it's not true.

Math is a human language,

so we all have the ability to understand it.

(Laughter)

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)