Each year, the middle and high school levels at The Dewey Schools carry out more than 15 mathematics-related projects. These include major grade-wide, class-specific, and interdisciplinary projects integrating History, Geography, and Career-oriented Business. These projects transform what is often seen as a dry subject into one of Dewey’s students’ most beloved and practical subjects. Behind the success of these projects is the significant effort of The Dewey Schools’ Mathematics Department, part of the Science & Pedagogy Council, under the leadership of Head of Department Pham Van Quang.
Mathematics Learning Goals: Developing Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
With a Master’s degree from the University of Science – Hanoi National University and nearly 20 years of teaching experience in Mathematics, Pham Van Quang understands that the most important goal of teaching Mathematics is not just memorizing formulas, but developing the ability to think critically and solve problems. Mathematics is not just about dry calculations; it is a tool that helps students understand and model real-life situations to find optimal solutions.
“Only when we feel the interest and passion and clearly recognize what is truly necessary and suitable for ourselves can we persist and strive to deeply understand. Therefore, if teaching mathematics only requires students to memorize a set of formulas and tricks to solve problems mechanically and without creativity, it is easy to create stress and boredom for both students and teachers. That’s why I always believe that connecting mathematics with real-life situations not only helps students deeply understand the subject but also allows them to feel its practical value and applicability in life,” Pham Van Quang shared.
Each student has different abilities, so a curriculum tailored to each student is crucial to creating interest. This can be achieved through differentiated instruction. At Dewey, teachers always strive to understand each student’s ability, interests, and learning needs to adjust their teaching methods accordingly. Pham Van Quang noted that sometimes students who struggle need to learn simpler content, while stronger students should be challenged with more advanced problems. The goal is to help each student develop to the best of their ability.
Mathematics Learning Must Start from Reality
It is important to spark students’ curiosity and interest by putting them in problem-solving situations, especially through practical experiences that match their abilities, Pham Van Quang emphasized. Therefore, at Dewey, organizing practical learning projects is not only an opportunity for students to apply their mathematical knowledge to real life but also helps them develop teamwork skills, creative thinking, and presentation abilities. A notable example is the “Natural Numbers Perspective” project for the 6th grade. Pham Van Quang recalls a parent’s comment after attending a presentation: “I was very surprised that the 6th graders had a report on purchasing prices, selling prices, profit-loss forecasts, marketing strategies, and strategies for adjusting the sale of hot and slow-moving products. These things are close to the work my staff does. At first, I was skeptical about this report, but after hearing the groups answer the questions from the students and the judging panel, I truly believe the children really did the work. Only by truly doing it can they explain clearly, logically, and persuasively like that.”
With the support of the Mathematics Department and passionate teachers, 9th and 12th grade students at The Dewey Schools are not only well-prepared in knowledge but also in exam psychology. Pham Van Quang and his colleagues in the Mathematics Department always aim to provide students with a clear learning path, practical problems related to exam content, and encourage them to develop independent and creative thinking. These efforts have helped Dewey students achieve great results in graduation exams and university entrance exams, proving the success of the teaching methods and the dedication of the faculty at Dewey.