Diya Krishnan
Westbury, NY
This article entitled “Make Your Daughter Practice Math. She’ll Thank You Later” says that the ways students, especially girls, are taught math is suboptimal. I agree that the de-emphasis of rote learning and repeated learning is very harmful for girls. My own experience in math, thanks to my mother, has led to positive results. I have also seen the way parents push girls away from math, and the difference in the way structure is enforced in sports and in education.
First, I want to relate my personal experience. Recently, I scored a 5 in AP Calculus BC, as a twelve-year old. This score was the reward for hard work and rote practice. If I had understood only the concepts but did not drill and practice, I would not have gotten the highest possible score. My mother pushed me to practice, and it paid off.
Next, too many sources push girls away from math. It doesn’t matter if it’s from the media or relatives, girls are being steered away from STEM subjects. I have seen my friends choose not to do math, and instead select high school courses only in the English Language Arts and Social Studies.
Finally, observe the contrast in the way sports and math are drilled in. Take tennis as an example: A student may take the entire session--or even a few days--in practicing serves. On the contrary, math is not exercised in the same way. There should be clear realization that the practice in math should be similar to the practice in sports. Success only comes from hard work.
First, I want to relate my personal experience. Recently, I scored a 5 in AP Calculus BC, as a twelve-year old. This score was the reward for hard work and rote practice. If I had understood only the concepts but did not drill and practice, I would not have gotten the highest possible score. My mother pushed me to practice, and it paid off.
Next, too many sources push girls away from math. It doesn’t matter if it’s from the media or relatives, girls are being steered away from STEM subjects. I have seen my friends choose not to do math, and instead select high school courses only in the English Language Arts and Social Studies.
Finally, observe the contrast in the way sports and math are drilled in. Take tennis as an example: A student may take the entire session--or even a few days--in practicing serves. On the contrary, math is not exercised in the same way. There should be clear realization that the practice in math should be similar to the practice in sports. Success only comes from hard work.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/17/learning/summer-reading-contest-week-10-what-interested-you-most-in-the-times-this-week.html?comments=&nlid=86547793#permid=28271010
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