“I hate maths.”

I’ve heard it a hundred times before. In fact if you’re a parent or teacher or have anything to do with children, you’ve probably heard it too. But why? What is it about mathematics we find so dislikeable? To me, the answer is simple. We are not teaching maths.

Of course, there is a slot on our timetable blocked out for ‘Mathematics’ which we slog our way through at 9.15 each morning. Where our class learn the ins and outs of addition, multiplication, percentages and the like. But is that all there really is to mathematics?

Frankly no. These areas are merely the foundations upon which the world of mathematics is built. The ‘grammar’ of the maths world, comparable to a score which when brought to life creates a beautiful piece of music, or a script waiting for the actors to transform into something awe inspiring, and although an essential part of mathematics there is so much more to maths than just this.

Unfortunately this ‘grammar’ of maths is all that children know and, as far as many are concerned, all that children need to know about mathematics. There is no room to allow for the creative side of maths. In fact, many are unaware that there even is a creative side to maths, and it’s no wonder!  Where is the creativity in learning our tables by rote? What innovation can possibly be found in mapping a small square on the left hand side of our page into a bigger square on the right hand side of our page?

Why not teach mathematics through its applications? Why not teach the exciting side of maths?

Could we not teach ratio by creating a scale drawing of a T-Rex on the playground in chalk? Why not teach multiplication by calculating the age of a tree (Diameter × Growth Factor for anyone interested)? Why don’t we introduce children to the Fibonacci sequence through spiral art and the composition of natural objects?

“I hate maths.”

It was in fact this exact phrase which turned me on to teaching and is why I decided to take the mathematics elective. It is my goal to share my love and enthusiasm of mathematics to inspire those who I teach, so I never again have to hear the words “I hate maths.”