Entrance slip: Textbook

Math textbook is essential, but students might not read as much as other disciplines. Some students only use the textbook as a workbook. Their successes are depending on the teacher’s notes. Why is that? I think the article lists some clues. First, the frame of the math textbook is usually very structured. Students more focus on the key formulas and the examples of the questions, as well as ignoring the more linguistic part. In Canada, we have more students are ESL learners. I think the textbook should concern more about their needs and offer more supportive content, such as using graphs or pics instead of those detail description paragraph.

A textbook is a tool that aims to support students learning. Teachers choose a suitable textbook for their students in Canada. Therefore, different teachers might need to choose different textbooks. Also, if the students’ body changed, they need to find a new one. But, it might not be easy to find. So many teachers might modify the material, and depend on their own handout or worksheet in class. I think this situation might reduce using the textbook. More online resources opened for teachers and students to choose from. If the government could financially support that kind of online resources, the whole society can save more money, more trees instead of printing the paper textbooks. Teachers also benefit from intergrading online reading and resources for their students.