If Roles Were Reversed by alyssa

If Roles Were Reversed by alyssa - October 2016 Scholarship Essay

IF ROLES WERE REVERSED
By
Alyssa Saenz
“Brrrring!” As the school bell rings, I snap out of my hazy daze and take the monotonous walk back to my locker trying to recall what I had just learned in math class. Like always, Mrs. Best had taught the lesson as well as she could while following the book, but it was the same monotone voice day-in and day-out. I remember back to the days in elementary when the class would be anxiously anticipating the math lesson just because the teacher would be passing out cheerios to help us better grasp the concept of what we would be learning that day.
As a child math was made to be hands-on and fun, so it was easier to absorb and understand what was being taught. What has happened to fun, hands-on learning in classrooms? According to Resource Area for Teaching, “Hands-on instruction has a long and successful legacy in the sciences and math, and shows promise for teaching social studies, history, English and other subject areas.” After the elementary years, students struggle to find that love of learning for math, because they are not properly engaged in what they are being taught. When students cannot make the connection of what they are learning, they become disconnected and the students’ love for math can be diminished.
If roles were reversed, I would teach a math class. Hands on activities can rekindle a love for learning math. I would involve students more in the lesson and try to engage the students in more activities that go along with the lesson for the day. Students should love what they are learning while still achieving an educational goal.