OBJECTIVES:

1. To understand the definition and major causes of math anxiety.

2. To assess your level of math anxiety.

3. To be aware of a variety of techniques effective in reducing math anxiety.

 

DIRECTIONS:

To achieve these objectives, read the specified pages in the primary sources and, if necessary, in the secondary sources.  These sources are available in the library.  Then complete at least two of the exercises.

 

A.  PRIMARY SOURCES (required)

 

1.  Hackworth, Robert D.  Math Anxiety Reduction.  Clearwater, Florida:  H & H Publishing Co., Inc., 1985, pp. 1-8.

 

2.  Kogelman, Stanley and Warren, Joseph.  Mind Over Math.  New York: McGraw-Hill, 1979, pp. 7-50 and 119-134.

 

3.  Tobias, Sheila.  Overcoming Math Anxiety.  New York: W.W. Norton & Co., Inc., 1980, Chapters 2 and 8.

 

B.  SECONDARY SOURCES (optional)

 

1.  Nolting, Paul.  Winning at Math:  Your Guide to Learning Mathematics.  Pompano Beach, Florida:  Academic Success press, 1988, Chapter 3.

 

2.  Study Guide for Stress Management.

 

C.  EXERCISES (complete at least two)

 

1.  Summarize, in a page or more, pages 1-7 in Math Anxiety Reduction using the bold typed subheadings as an outline.   At the end of your paper, include how math anxiety has affected your studies in the past and how it might affect your future studies.

 

2.  After reading Chapter Eight in Overcoming Math Anxiety, complete the questionnaire on pages 259-260 on your own paper (please do not write in the book).  After reviewing your responses, write a half page paragraph describing your attitudes toward yourself and toward mathematics.

 

3.  Review pages 67-69 in Overcoming Math Anxiety on keeping a "math diary."  Use the math diary to record your thoughts, both mathematical and emotional, for the next five days as you do your homework or use some form of math in your everyday life.  At the end of day five, describe what you have learned about yourself by briefly evaluating your diary entries at the bottom of your record sheet.

 

4.  Listed below are ten specific areas of mathematics in which math anxious people often have difficulty.  Choose one area that make you feel moderately anxious, read the sources listed under that area and complete any practice exercises on your own paper.  When you have finished, evaluate the effectiveness of this in a half page paragraph.

 

ALGEBRA
Mind Over Math
Chapter 20

MINUS SIGNS
Overcoming Math Anxiety
Pp. 172-182

AVERAGES & AVERAGING
Overcoming Math Anxiety
Pp. 182-202

 PERCENTAGES & DECIMALS
Math Anxiety Reduction
Pp. 129-168
Mind Over Math
Pp. 198-213

FRACTIONS
Math Anxiety Reduction
Pp. 63-127
Mind Over Math
Pp. 189-197
Overcoming Math Anxiety
Pp. 160-172

READING TABLES
Overcoming Math Anxiety
Pp. 202-207
METRIC SYSTEM
Mind Over Math
Chapter 19

 WORD PROBLEMS
Mind Over Math
Chapter 8
Overcoming Math Anxiety
Chapter 5

RATIOS, PROPORTIONS & WORD
PROBLEMS WITH PROPORTIONS
Math Anxiety Reduction
Pp. 170-196

 CALCULUS
Mind Over Math
Chapter 8
Overcoming Math Anxiety
Chapter 7

 

 

Created by Dr. Carol Dochen
Revised in 1987 by Jefferson Humphries
Student Learning Assistance Center (SLAC)
Southwest Texas State University