• Stolt’s Top Ten (plus 1)

    A Semi-random List of Thoughts From an Old High School Math Teacher (Who wants student to know the answer to the question "Why Do We Need to Know This?").

     1.  I can’t promise you that you will use everything you learn in this class in “real life”. I can promise you that if you use higher level math in your job every day, you will likely get paid a lot of money.  If you look at the highest paying jobs out there, almost all of them require a high level of math skills.

     

    Source:  http://www.careercast.com/jobs-rated/highest-paying-jobs-2015

     2.  Learning something that you may never “use” in “real life” is NOT a waste of time. Every time you learn something new, your brain builds structures called dendrites that make your brain STRONGER and MORE USEFUL.  The way you do this is by learning things that are NEW and UNFAMILIAR.  One of the ways to keep growing is to KEEP LEARNING, even if you're OLD LIKE MR. STOLT!

    Source:  http://www.edutopia.org/neuroscience-brain-based-learning-neuroplasticity

     

                         http://www.sdbif.org/Newsletter/Article16.htm

     

    Cool video on how dendrites (brain muscles) form!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvXuq9jRWKE


     3. Your brain is your most powerful tool. Do NOT assume you are going to be a professional athlete, singer, or entertainer. The odds of this are very unlikely.

     

     4.  SHOOT FOR YOUR DREAMS. TRY to become a professional athlete or entertainer if that is what you want to do. But know that your KNOWLEDGE will still be your most important asset in life no matter what you do, so focus on your education. There are many athletes and entertainers who have earned millions, but became broke because of bad choices with their money. According to Sports Illustrated, 78% of former NFL players are broke or financially stressed after their playing career is over.

     

    Source: http://www.businesspundit.com/25-rich-athletes-who-went-broke/

                 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1153364/index.htm

     5.  YOU NEED TO HAVE A VARIETY OF SKILLS. You will most likely change your mind several times about what you are going to do when you grow up. 4 out of 5 college students change their majors at least once. Many adults change careers, and go back to school during adulthood in order to do this (many times requiring them to take math again!).  Having a wide variety of knowledge will give you more choices in life.

     

    Source:  http://borderzine.com/2013/03/college-students-tend-to-change-majors-when-they-find-the-one-they-really-love/

     

     6.  GET EDUCATED. Graduate High School (at the VERY least!).   There are plenty of people that have been successful with only a high school education. However, a college degree will on average earn you an extra $2 million as compared to a high school diploma. You will also be more likely to live longer, healthier lives.

     

    Source:  http://www.educationcorner.com/value-of-a-college-degree.html

     

     7.  Take risks, as long as they are intelligent risks. DO NOT FEAR FAILURE. A risk might be as small as attempting to try a hard problem in front of the class, even though you may not get it right. “But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing”.

     

    Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/michaellindenmayer/2013/12/02/5-major-benefits-of-failure/#1dd28de71666

     

     

     8.  GET ENOUGH SLEEP! Sleep deprivation affects your ability to concentrate, learn, and be social with people. Playing a video game or watching TV late at night will not help you be your best.

     

    Source: http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/teens-and-sleep

     9.  EXERCISE! People who exercise are more alert, happier, healthier, sleep better, etc, etc, etc. You don’t have to be able to bench press 300 lbs for exercise to benefit you, even a fifteen minute walk will help.

     

    Source: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/benefits-of-exercise

     

     

    10.  A college degree, a big income, or a lot of money does NOT make a person better someone else, or more intelligent than another person. Many people are self-educated and do just fine. Be proud of your education and what you have, but it is not a reason to look down on other people that may not have as much as you. TREAT ALL PEOPLE WITH RESPECT!

     

    Source: Common Sense

     

    Plus 1:  You can struggle with math and still be intelligent!  They are many different intelligences.  If math is not a strong suit, you still need to do your best and try your hardest!  There are always skills that you can excel at, but you should make sure that you are as functional at math as possible, you never know when you're going to need it!  

      

     

     

    IF YOU EVER ASK ME “When will we ever need to know this”, you get to write a paragraph about one of the things on this list!!!!! If you EVER tell me that you don’t need to learn in school because you’re going to be a professional athlete, you can do a paragraph on #4.