Washington 1

Michaela Washington

T. Johnson

English 111-22

October 1, 2008

Journal # 4

“A+ Formula”

Barlett, Wendy. “A+ Formula.” Winston-Salem Journal. AP. September 26, 2008: D1.

Abstract: A fun environment in math class provides a better learning experience for high

school students.

There are a variety of subjects that are required to be taught to students. These courses

range from history, science, English and physical education. Mathematics is another course that

has proven to be a difficult subject to teach. As a high school student I can remember finding it

very difficult to study. In class other students would often ask how you can study math. Other

subjects deal with reading material that you could simply take notes from. Math deals with

numbers and letters and can be in intimidating to a new learner.

In my first year of high school I experienced a high energy math class. A woman by the

name of Carol was one of the best Algebra teachers I have ever had. She taught with excitement

and humor. The use of jingles and poems made formulas and equations easy to learn. Growing

up I realized that math was not my strongest area. A simple step by step process made a huge

difference in how I embrace the new material we covered each day. Most students are visual

learners and require visual aides or analogies to help remember certain formulas. I am a visual

learner and enjoyed her use of props, colorful power points, mathematical games, jeopardy and

other trivia. Group work allowed my class to figure out those hard problems together.

Throughout the class I learned that math may seem difficult but it can also be fun.
 Washington 1

Having a creative teacher gave me the opportunity to think outside the box. Mrs. Carol

developed a relationship with each of us and understood that many of us were struggling. She

worked one on one with me and specifically told me how to study. I think students do better if

they can relate with the teacher. On several occasions she would explain that she was a

struggling student and that anxiety got the best of her during a test. I had that very same problem.

Hearing her personal story helped build confidence and encouraged me to look over

mathematical problems at home. I was now able to prepare myself and increase the chances of

performing well on my test.

With a fun learning atmosphere math become more enjoyable. How could anyone loose

with a better overall grade average combined with an unforgettable learning experience. Mrs.

Carol was very determined to make sure all of her students passed the course. Her achievements

did not go unrecognized and she was awarded “Best Teacher of the Year.” It was a privilege to

have been one of the students in her class. Some the different techniques I learned from her I still

use today. I am no longer intimidated by mathematics because the A+ Formula worked for me

and my final grade was an A.