Math Forum Discussions

Ed Wall

Posts: 36
Registered: 12/3/04

Re: where's the math? so? (was Re: 5th Grade Activity)
Posted: Apr 20, 1995 2:12 AM

Plain Text

I've been listening to the infinity thread, etc. and thinking about some
of the discussions and what my response is to some of the points raised.

Okay, first I must admit a bias. I actually enjoy math (several different
branches) and deep down want my students to love it enough to become
life long mathematical explorers!! Maybe even professional mathematicans.

Now

1. The above isn't going to necessarily happen and that is okay. Afterall
there are perhaps better things one could do with their life. : )

2. However, sneaking in a bit of fun (and infinity can be that) won't
hurt them, and may even get students to think a bit more. Besides
I'll enjoy it. BUT I need to be realistic about my expectations.
Enrichment is perhaps the right word.

3. And finally, isn't mathematics about thinking? Aren't some of
our goals getting students to think using mathematical tools (not
that there aren't other perfectly valid ways of thinking)? And aren't
mathematical 'tools' extremely diverse today (I have the number
of branches of math somewhere and I think it out of date already)?

Sadly, as I think about it: the fifth graders are having a great time and
the eighth graders are bored to tears. What happened?

I found that a fun 'approach' to infinity for eighth graders has been to
challenge them to write the largest number they know and then introduce the
concept of a mega (which is reasonably easy to define) and then the concept
of a moser. I then tell them that they are exempted from the course if they
can give me the number of digits in a moser. I've had several phone a relative
at some University for an answer. After about two days of pounding the
calculators (or computers), I reduce the challenge (and, of course, the
reward) to writing a mega. So far, I've gotten no solutions and I 'write'
it out for them.

Later, we talk a bit further and, depending on the class, I may use Cantor's
approach for counting the rationals.

Ed Wall