Misconceptions in Maths

– TEACHERS AND/OR STUDENTS

Misconception 1:

• That maths is ‘Tricky’

Misconception 2:

• That there’s only one way to do subtraction

Misconception 3:

• That zero is worth nothing (money)

Misconception 4:

• That 347 is odd and even

Misconception 5:

• That three 4s is 7

Misconception 6:

• That maths is maths and literacy is literacy (key words/everyday connections/everything in your room)

Misconception 7:

• That 7 into 4 (45) doesn’t go

Misconception 8:

• That tables are the most important thing in maths

Misconception 9:

• that fraction/decimals/percentages are hard and should be taught separately

Misconception 10:

• That 9999 + 1 is a million (addonemore)

Misconception 11:

• That I/3 is smaller than 1/5 (metre ruler/netball court)

Misconception 12:

• That 0.5 is the same as 0.05 (money/metre ruler)

Misconception 13:

• That numbers are scary and the ‘boss of me’ (brackets)

Misconception 14:

• Algebra is so abstract and hard to understand

Misconception 15:

• That you must always have a focus group (open-ended activities and problems)

Misconception 16:

• That area is the same as perimeter

Misconception 17:

• That Friday is problem solving day

Misconception 18:

• That it’s enough to say 2D and 3D and not know what it means

Misconception 19:

• That volume and capacity are hard

Misconception 20:

• That maths is not as important as Literacy and it’s okay to not be good at

maths.