First Math Lesson

Today was an interesting day for me.  I walked into my first math class since I was a child, only to discover that if I had only learned it from Proffessor Antosz first,  I might not be so petrified to face it today!  I have always been afraid of math-literally!  Today I learned that math can be taught using blocks (or objects).  Although my classroom memories are fading with each passing day,  I do not recall such teaching strategies.  What I do remember is that the teacher stood in front of the class and wrote numbers and symbols on the chalk board, erased it and continued with a different set of numbers.  The class had to memorize everything. 
When I left the classroom, nothing I learned or did not learn was applied to my surroundings.  The classroom was a separate entity than my outside environment.

Today, I learned that we can explain and learn concepts in math through the use of blocks as a more effective method of teaching.  By effective, I mean that what I learn with the blocks can be applied to my real life.  I never associated math with the real life environment even though I do realize the significant correlation! I did have many "aha" moments when I was learning how to learn with blocks.

Now that I know that blocks are actually numbers I look forward to learning how to re-train my thinking (if at all possible) and attempt to consciously apply my knowledge through my environment daily.