Week One.

When I walked into my Math 251 class for the first time on Tuesday, I was incredibly nervous. I had no idea what the class was going to be about and had no expectations. However, once I sat down and looked around the room I noticed many nice faces and thought to my self, this is going to be a good class. 

Everyone in the class had to make a name tag and think of something mathematical about themselves. (At the time I had no idea what that meant, along with many other people in the class). When it was my turn to present, a tingling sensation overtook my hands and feet. My throat felt very dry and I was incredibly nervous. 

After the presentations Christina, the instructor for the class, began to go over the syllabus and relay her expectations for the class. 

Then she put a simple math problem on the board, and asked us to solve it in our heads. 

The problem was:

66-29=?

So naturally I tried to solve this problem the way most of us were originally taught. I stacked the numbers and then proceeded to borrow, to solve the problem. I messed up a few times but eventually got the right answer of 37. 

Then we split into different groups according to the way that we solved the problem. I was absolutely shocked to see how many different ways you could solve one simple subtraction problem. Total there were 7 different ways that people in the class solved the problem. 

One person from each group had to illustrate how their group solved the problem on a chalk board, and explain it to the rest of the class. The different strategies varied from rounding one number, to both numbers, to using a number line, and the traditional way that I used. 

Before I knew of these other ways to solve subtraction problems, I always had to pull out the calculator on my phone to get the right answer. 

I no longer have to use a calculator to do subtraction problems! I can do them in my head now. 

On Thursdays class we started off with a few more simple math problems to do in our head. This time I tried to use a strategy that I learned in Tuesdays class, and with no surprise to me, the other strategy worked wonders better. 

I cant believe that I was never aware of these other ways to solve math problems, especially since they are mush easier. And the probability of obtaining the right answer using these new strategies are much higher. 

I have already learned so much in this class and it has only been one week. I cant wait to come to Tuesdays class and learn about other strategies or material that will make myself a better student, and help me become a better teacher in the future.