Good-Bye Perfect Score

I was so distraught when I saw my grade for my most recent math test that I actually moaned in despair.

A 65%! Why, and more importantly, HOW could this happen? I studied hard and thought I knew the material, but apparently I shall never master graphs. The difference between this test and the previous one is that I didn't use my blog as a study resource, and I think that is where the disconnect occurred. If you can explain or teach something to someone else, then you understand the material. So going forward I'm going to try and utilize this resource as much as I can.

The silver lining on this is that I did receive full points for my presentation, and I am super proud of it - I can't wait to use it in a classroom of my own. :)

Bittersweet Week

So I got the call this morning, and Better Candidate outshone me again because they had more experience in a classroom setting. Tell me universe - how am I supposed to get more experience when I can't get into the classroom?

I've also been dealing with the most painful ear infection I can recall. The doctor gave me steroidal ear drops but now my ear feels like it is full of water and I would punch kittens if it would make the pain and stuffy-ear-feelings stop.

On the bright side: I got a perfect score on my first math test of the semester.

I have never received a perfect score on a math test in my life, so I'm a bit excited. Part of it I'm sure has to do with reviewing the material several times in order to teach it to other students and explain it in the blog. I also have get to start making a game for an elementary level class involving statistics. We'll see how that one goes. Now if only I can do as well on my art history exam today as I did on my math test - fingers crossed!

Odds

So I'm on a math roll today, finally got my math homework done and realized that I am one math post short for the math blog - oops! So I'll be covering the last and shortest part of the probability section: Odds!

Now, odds and probability are different, and it is important to know what that difference is.

Image from Math Magic website

The numerator for both is the amount of times you obtain the desired outcome, but the difference lies in the numerator. While probability has a denominator that lists all the outcomes, when calculating odds, you have the undesirable outcomes as your denominator.
To find out what the undesirable number is, simply find the total number of outcomes and subtract from that the number of desirable outcomes. This leaves you with the undesirable outcomes, your odds denominator.

Math Magic has a great page explaining probability and how to change from probability to odds. See it here: Math Magic - Probability

Probability Game

This probability game can be adjusted for any grade level, and makes for a great online practicing resource!

Probability Game

Probability (Part I)

So I'm about a week (or so) behind on updates, but I'd like to think I spent the time putting together an amazing wealth of knowledge in preparation for my first math-centric post. Though I would not necessarily deny any accusations of procrastination to avoid my arch nemesis for as long as possible.

Used with permission from MathFunny.com

Math and I have never been the best of friends, especially during times when probabilities and/or statistics are involved. But the information we've been going over in class the last couple of weeks has helped to make me (albeit, a very small amount) more confident.

How Probabilities are Determined

We begin with the basics: vocabulary terms. Often the definition of words change depending upon what field you are using them in; things that have one meaning in layman's terms will have a completely different meaning in science, math, and especially law. Math is like another language entirely, and studying it is essentially learning the definitions of each word or equation. Each formula, equation, etc., has its' own definition which tells you what it means and how to properly use it.

• Experiment - An activity in which results can be observed and recorded.
• Outcome - Each of the possible results of an experiment. (Ex.: With coins the outcome is heads or tails)
• Sample Space - A set of all possible outcomes for an experiment. Results such as S = (H,T) can be modeled by a tree diagram, which we will look at later.
• Event - Any subset of a sample space, such as the event of dice; an example of this would be 
  S = (2, 4, 6) where the sample space for S is rolling a standard die with even numbers as the outcome.

When determining probability, there is Experimental (or empirical), and Theoretical. the difference between the two is that experimental is what you actually observe while theoretical is what would happen under perfect and ideal conditions. Additionally, we believe in and try to abide by Bernoulli's Theorem which states that if an experiment is repeated enough times that the empirical probability will become closer to the theoretical probability. Sort of like the whole monkeys and typewriters idea.

We encounter from time to time events that are impossible or certain. These are represented in an equation as  0 and 1, respectively. If something is equally as likely to happen as another option, we often describe that as being a 50/50 chance or probability, however we would write that as a 1/2 probability. Events can also be mutually exclusive or complementary. With mutually exclusive events if one thing happens the other cannot, OR they are mutually exclusive if the events have no elements in common. Complementary events are along the lines of: Chance of rain = 25%, so the chance of no rain is 100% - 25% = 75% or 3/4 probability of no rain. 

On a somewhat related note, the probability of many home
owners in the Phoenix Metro Area getting flood insurance after
this weeks crazy, valley-wide flooding is very high. 
Image courtesy of the Associated Press & BBC World News

The following websites do a much better job at explaining introductory probability than I do:

Math Is Fun

Khan Academy

Math Goodies

The Beginning...

All good stories must have a beginning, but sadly this story has already begun and we've missed the introduction. Alas, a recap will have to suffice.

My journey into education began many years ago, before I even knew this is what I wanted to become. I always thought I would become a scientist like my father, and for a long time that is what I was determined to become. I persevered through the related courses, each more difficult than the last, and found that I was not happy. I saw the backstabbing and cut throat world that was awaiting me in my intended profession and was deeply saddened. My search for a career offering endless learning seemed like it would result in playing office politics and being miserable.

I have always loved working with children, and found them to be far more fun and interesting than adults. Some things happened to me over the course of a year, that we won't discuss at this time, but it was due to these events that I finally realized my passion for education. I had been seeking a place where I could continuously learn while sharing my knowledge, and it was right in front of me the whole time. I changed my degree from Biology to Early Childhood Education, and I couldn't be happier.

Now that we have delved into my academic history, a bit about myself:

• I love to make jam. I made my first batch (Peach Cinnamon) this past summer and everyone loved it. I ran out of jars within 2 weeks because everyone I knew kept swiping it!
• As implied by the title of the blog, I love crafts. I have been cutting, pasting, coloring, stitching, etc'ing, since I was knee high to a grasshopper. This results in Christmas cards that would make hallmark jealous sent out every year.
• Hiking, camping, walkabouts, and any excuse to be out in the woods is probably the greatest thing(s) ever.
• I have two dogs:

Shadow

Askit

                                             

• And a kitten named Major Tom

Full Name: Major Thomas Starlord Winchester the First-and-Last

And that's it for now. Looking forward to the upcoming weeks to share with you what is going on while I traverse this road towards becoming a professional educator!