Length: No less than one page single spaced, written by hand in your journal.

Task: Write a brief "mathematical autobiography" describing your lifetime experience, good and bad, with mathematics. Give a general summary and highlight key features that affected you both positively and negatively. Be specific. Your essay should conclude with your expectations for this course and describe what you think you need in the way of mathematics preparation for your future. This assignment will be read by me only, but be respectful when speaking of past teachers and do not use names.

Purpose:

1. for you to reflect on your experience with mathematics over your lifetime.

2. to encourage you to be more reflective about your own learning.

3. for me as an instructor, to get to know you better.

1. Your essay must give a coherent description of your experience.

2. Your essay should have examples to support your claims.

3. You should take care with spelling and grammar (ie write a rough draft first)

4. Your essay should include your expectations for this course and what you think you need in the way of mathematics preparation for your future.

Your grade will depend on how well you meet these criteria (ie effort/thought)

Consider answering the following questions within your essay:

What is math?

What does it mean to "be good in" math?

How do you feel about math? Why do you feel that way?

When do you first remember learning about math?

What do you enjoy most/least about math?

What do you wish you could understand better?

How do you see math in your future?

These are only guidelines, your essay should contain more than this.