Math Anxiety

A.Martello

St. Francis School

Are there two words that make your skin crawl, head hurt, and feet sweat? Those two words might be

math test.

It is very common for math tests to make you have anxiety and luckily there is way to help fix this!

In this webquest we will discover what causes math anxiety, what affects math anxiety, and how you can learn to manage math anxiety! This will help make sure that math anxiety does not interfere with your future and your studies of mathematics!

Task:

You will be assigned to a group and work with other group members to complete this webquest.

Step 1) The first step will be for each group member to take a math anxiety survey to see if you suffer from math anxiety. Print the survey below and complete it with your pencil or pen. This completed survey must be handed in to me at the end with your name on top. (Each member hands in his or her own completed survey!)

Math Anxiety Survey

Step 2) The second step will be to create a PowerPoint Presentation defining math anxiety, its causes, its effects and how you as a student can learn to manage this anxiety. You will have to present this PowerPoint Presentation to the class after it is completed.

Your PowerPoint Presentation should be at least 4 slides. Slides should contain accurate information. Graphics that relate to math anxiety should be added to the slides. Each group member must have a part in making the PowerPoint Presentation and also have a speaking part in presenting the PowerPoint to the class.

The slides should be in the following order:

· Slide 1: Definition of math anxiety.

· Slide 2: One cause of math anxiety.

· Slide 3: One effect of math anxiety.

· Slide 4: One strategy used to manage math anxiety.

Process:

Use the Public Policy Analyst (PPA) to analyze the problem of math anxiety.

1. Define the problem

2. Gather the Evidence

3. Identify the Causes

4. Evaluating an Existing Policy

5. Develop Solutions

6. Select the Best Solutions

Resources:

Use these websites to create your PowerPoint Slides and learn about how to deal or cope with math anxiety:

· http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathematical_anxiety

· http://math.about.com/od/reference/a/anxiety.htm

· http://www.mathacademy.com/pr/minitext/anxiety/

· http://math.about.com/od/reference/a/anxiety.htm

· http://www.mathgoodies.com/articles/math_anxiety.html

· http://www.counseling.txstate.edu/resources/shoverview/bro/math.html

· http://math-and-reading-help-for-kids.org/articles/Symptoms_and_causes_of_math_anxiety.html

Evaluation:

Your PowerPoint Presentation will be graded with the rubric below.

Rubric for PowerPoint

Category	Excellent 5 points	Good 3 points	Poor 1 point	Points
Information	All of the information is accurate and all of the required information is in your PowerPoint.	Some of the information is accurate and only some of the required information is in your PowerPoint.	None of the information is accurate and none of the required information is in your PowerPoint.	___
Background & Text	All of the slides have a background and font that are easy to read.	Some of the slides have a background and font that are easy to read.	None of the slides have a background and font that are easy to read.	___
Graphics	All of the graphics (pictures) relate to the topic of math anxiety.	Some of the graphics (pictures) relate to the topic of math anxiety and some do not.	None of the graphics (pictures) relate to the topic of math anxiety.	___
Spelling, Punctuation & Grammar	Spell check has been utilized throughout the PowerPoint; Correct grammar is used.	Several spelling mistakes occur throughout the PowerPoint; some grammar mistakes are present.	Spelling mistakes occur throughout the entire PowerPoint; incorrect grammar is present.	___
Cooperation	Every group member contributes to the webquest tasks and every presenter speaks throughout the PowerPoint Presentation.	Only some group members contribute to the webquest tasks and only some presenters speak throughout the PowerPoint Presentation.	One or no group members contribute to the webquest tasks and one or no presenters speak throughout the PowerPoint Presentation.	___
Total	*Your total is out (Your total is out of 25 points!)			___/

Conclusion:

In this Webquest you have learned about math anxiety! Hopefully this information will help you cure your math anxiety for tests and allow you to feel confident before taking your next math test!

Standards:

Standards for the Common Core Curriculum in Grade 5:

Language Arts:

RI.5.1- Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing inferences from the text.

RI.5.2-Determine two or more main ideas of a text ad explain how they are supported by key details; summarize the text.

RI.5.7-Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources, demonstrating the ability to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.

RI.5.9- Integrate information from several texts on the same topic in order to write or speak about the subject knowledgeably.

Writing:

W.5.2- Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.

W.5.4-Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

W.5.6- With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills.

Speaking & Listening:

SL.5.1- Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher led) with diverse partners.

SL.5.4- Report on a topic or text or present an opinion sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details.

SL.5.5- Include multimedia components (graphics)