MATH ANXIETY

 

Zaharoula Lymberatos-Tsaltas   The Albert Shanker School I.S. 126   LTG 2015

 

 

INTRODUCTION

Math, more than any other subject, engenders anxiety and avoidance in students. For many, the mere mention of the "m" word is enough to send their blood pressure skyrocketing. Although experiencing some insecurity about school subjects is normal, for some students the anxiety about math can be extreme and can hamper performance.  Students with Math Anxiety at I.S. 126 have confidence in only one thing related to math -- that they can't do it. Their brains seem to shut down when a math concept is detected. Fear and anxiety take the place of clear thinking, and the need to avoid looking stupid before peers becomes paramount. Math anxiety can propel a student into a downward spiral. A public policy must be developed, implemented, and monitored as a means to rectify this social problem that students are currently facing in Middle School. 

In this WebQuest, you will use the Public Policy Analyst to analyze the social problem at IS 126 of math anxiety to ultimately develop a new school policy to reduce the problem so that it interferes less  with your studies of Mathematics at IS 126.

 

 

TASK

1)     Take a survey to see if you suffer from math anxiety.

 

2)   Using the Public Policy Analyst (PPA), create a PowerPoint presentation on the problem of math anxiey at IS 126 that includes all six PPA steps.

 

 

 

PROCESS

 

1) Print and complete the online survey below to see if you suffer from math anxiety.

 

·        Math Anxiety Test

 

a -  Click on link to take the survey to see if you suffer from Math Anxiety.

b - Tally up your numbers to determine your score and if you suffer from Math Anxiety

c -  Analyze your results to use as evidence with Step 2 of the Public Policy Analyst (PPA)

 

 

2) Using the Public Policy Analyst (PPA), create a PowerPoint presentation on the problem of math anxiety at IS 126 that includes all six PPA steps.

 

a -You will be divided into groups of four. Each group member will have a specific role. Despite different role assignments, ALL group members must work together to conduct the research on the social problem collaboratively. You will create a PowerPoint about on your findings about Math Anxiety.

 

 

3) Your power point presentation should be at least 8 slides.

 

v Slide 1 – Definition of math anxiety.

v Slide 2-5– Present evidence of the problem at IS 126 and at least 3 causes of math anxiety.

v Slide 6-7 – State at least 3 policies that may address the problem

v Slide 8 State the best policy in terms of feasibility and potential effectiveness

 

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.    Evaluate an Existing Policy

5.     Develop Solutions

6.    Select the Best Solutions

 

 

RESOURCES

 

Use the links provided to help you with you gather information for your PowerPoint about Math Anxiety. You can also use links that are not listed, but find useful in your final product.

 

Search engines such as yahoo or Google for math anxiety.

Search engines such as yahoo or Google for study skills for math.

 

v Slide 1 – Definition of math anxiety.

 

v  Use the links to define Math Anxiety

 

Websites:

·       http://www.math.com/students/advice/anxiety.html

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

·       Have you ever heard of math anxiety

·       What is Math Anxiety?

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

 

v Slide 2-4 – State at least 3 causes of math anxiety.

 

v  Go to step 3 & step 4 of the PPA

v  Use worksheet #3 to complete this step.

 

Websites:

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

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

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

§  Math advice

§  Have you ever heard of math anxiety

§  What is Math Anxiety?

 

v Slide 5-6 – State at least 2 effects from having math anxiety.

 

v  Go to step 5 of the PPA

v  Use worksheet #5 to complete this step.

 

Websites:

·       http://www.math.com/students/advice/anxiety.html

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

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

§  What is Math Anxiety?

 

v Slide 7-8 State at least 2 strategies used to manage math anxiety.

 

v  Go to step 6 of the PPA

v  Use worksheet #6 to complete this step.

 

Websites:

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

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

·       What is Math Anxiety?

 

 

EVALUATION 

 

Please refer to the rubric to see exactly what is needed for the best possible grade for your power-point.

.

 

CONCLUSION

Math anxiety affects all of us at one time or another. It is important that we understand the causes of math anxiety and come up with solutions on how to handle it so it longer interferes with your future and your studies of Mathematics.

 

 

STANDARDS

Reading Standards for Literature 6–12

Grade 8

1. Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

 

2. Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text.

 

3. Analyze how particular lines of dialogue or incidents in a story or drama propel the action, reveal aspects of a character, or provoke a decision.

 

4. Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts.

 

5. Compare and contrast the structure of two or more texts and analyze how the differing structure of each text contributes to its meaning and style.

 

Social Studies Standards for Economics

Grade 8

2. Economics requires the development and application of the skills needed to make informed and well-reasoned decisions in daily and national life.

 

4.2a: identify and collect economic information from standard reference works, newspapers, periodicals, computer databases, textbooks, and other primary and secondary sources.

 

4.2d: develop conclusions about economic issues and problems by creating broad statements which summarize findings and solutions.