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Math: Facing an American Phobia
Challenging negative attitudes and delivering a positive message about what math can and should mean to all of us, this resource is both an entertaining and invaluable read. From “Talking Turkey About Arithmetic� to “Making Math Make Sense,� the 13 chapters help everyone conquer their fear of math.
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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93 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Burns
173Ìýbooks23ÌýfollowersMarilyn Meinhardt Burns is a mathematics educator and the author of over a dozen children's books on mathematics.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 18, 2021
Let's be clear, I'm going to use some of this information in conversation and my classroom (even though I teach high school and this books tilts towards elementary).
As a book, I liked it, but it's still just a book about math.
As a book, I liked it, but it's still just a book about math.
August 30, 2014
I began my "math makeover" with a book by Marilyn Burns, entitled Math: Facing an American Phobia. It was a fantastic start, written by a math educator who finds delight in real-world applications rather than in rows of "right" answers on a worksheet. For me, she put to death the myth that there is only ONE way to come up with the answer to a math problem. If you had to quickly tabulate the sum of 37 plus 50 would you first add 40 to 50 and then subtract 3? Or would you make an addition problem in your mind, lining up the 37 above the 50 as you would have written it on the blackboard at school? Different strokes for different folks. There is nothing wrong with either way of doing it. I think Marilyn gave me a warm little boost as if to say, "You can do this, and although it may never become your passion, you can learn to enjoy math."
August 3, 2010
I was reading part of this book for an assignment at school and Burns was so funny, I just kept reading for pleasure. Burns analyzes why the vast majority of the country "hates" and "can't do" math, and also points out that any efforts to teach math in a different, possibly more accessible way, are often loudly protested. It seems that people want their children to learn math in exactly the same way they did, even if the result was that they themselves hate math and describe themselves as not very good at it.
That makes me a little crazy. But Marilyn Burns, though troubled and confused about this, cheerily looks at a variety of math strands, how we use them in daily life, and how she would teach them in a classroom. This was so witty, interesting and thought provoking, I recommend it to everyone, not just "math" people.
That makes me a little crazy. But Marilyn Burns, though troubled and confused about this, cheerily looks at a variety of math strands, how we use them in daily life, and how she would teach them in a classroom. This was so witty, interesting and thought provoking, I recommend it to everyone, not just "math" people.
March 11, 2013
I think the author makes a lot of good points about how Math has been taught poorly in the past (based on formula memorization) instead of teaching kids to think and reason. However, since this book was written over fifteen years ago, I would like to read an updated version. The author may have written something more up-to-date that addresses how teachers are pressured to "teach to the (state) test." If so, I suggest one reads it instead of this book.
August 22, 2008
You assume correctly- this is a book about math and therefore will probably generate less sensationalism than oh, say Dan Brown. But for what it is, it's really good. Burns makes excellent points, its easy to read and can be digested either in increments or one whole sitting. (See, math IS everywhere, even in this half-assed review.)
March 3, 2008
I LOVE this book. Started reading it to get an idea of how kids learn math...and pretty soon little blank places in my math background started to get filled in (or challanged). Also "Math Power" by Patricia Kenschaft.
September 8, 2014
This book was recommended to me by a professor as a must read, so I picked it up. I really liked it! It completely changed the way I feel about mathematics and how I will look at teaching it. Children must learn to understand the 'why' behind the 'how.' Very interesting.
April 17, 2009
All educators should read this!
December 10, 2016
Many great insights to teaching math to kids. Memorable ones are that it is okay to use calculators, and that math is messy but so useful to life if we teach people how.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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