Monday, January 30, 2012

Right brain, left brain





I taught grades 3 through 8 before retiring, but I taught third grade for twelve years ~ the longest time spent at the same grade level. When I decided to teach middle school math and  algebra, a friend (a high school math teacher) told me I wouldn't be able to do it. She told me I was too literal or something. For some reason, that comment stuck with me. Well, it was also something my family said often as my role has always been the speller/grammarian/voracious reader.


Anyway, I took the necessary classes to qualify to teach middle school math and algebra - earning A's or B's in them, I might add - and became a successful middle school math teacher for ten years. I say "successful" because my students passed the state test, and isn't that how good teachers are judged? (That is a totally sarcastic remark, by the way.)



During that time, I had colleagues tell me I had an elementary mind because of my creative approach to teaching math. (When I taught third grade, no one thought I was overly creative.) At the same time, I had people tell me I understood things differently because I was a math teacher and so logical. Now which person was I?

Then, while visiting Chatty Crone's blog,
http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/2012/01/fun-friday-with-little-help-from-my_27.html
I saw this dancing girl "test". (Scroll down to find it.) I couldn't believe that anyone could see the girl dancing in any direction but to the right.

I decided to google the characteristics of right brain/left brain people. There were two other tests I found.
Now I see why I am the way I am.

In the first test, I scored 53% left brain and 47% right brain. In my mind - or brain - that's pretty even. This is how it was explained.





You are more left-brained than right-brained. Your left brain controls the right side of your body. In addition to being known as left-brained, you are also known as a critical thinker who uses logic and sense to collect information. You are able to retain this information through the use of numbers, words, and symbols. You usually only see parts of the "whole" picture, but this is what guides you step-by-step in a logical manner to your conclusion. Concise words, numerical and written formulas and technological systems are often forms of expression for you. Some occupations usually held by a left-brained person include a lab scientist, banker, judge, lawyer, mathematician, librarian, and skating judge.

I've just confessed to teaching middle school math, but I also have a masters degree in library science. Isn't that interesting?
And I really do have trouble seeing the big picture.

http://www.wherecreativitygoestoschool.com/vancouver/left_right/rb_test.htm

Then I took another test. This time my results were 45% left brain and 55% right brain.

http://www.blogthings.com/areyourightorleftbrainedquiz/

To me, those results are still pretty close, even if my brain scores switched sides.

What do the test scores say to me?
I think I might be one of those "jack of all trades ~ master of none".


If you want to waste spend a few minutes, take one (or both) of these tests and let me know if the results match how you see yourself. Thanks.

32 comments:

Iloshka M. said...

great post! Maybe this days will try one of the tests... just for fun!!! :D

Have a nice day!

Diana Joy said...

Fun tests...I'm left brained on both of them...quite even in percentages.

I worked as a secretary most of my life and have always been creative if I copy someone's idea. Interesting.

About my blog: I made my blog header plain for a bit as I want to create a new header from paper, etc.

Take care.

Jeanine Byers said...

That was interesting! I was 25% left-brained and 75% right-brained.

Based on that quiz, now I understand why I get such good ideas when I'm awake but not up yet. Next time I'm stumped, I'm going to try lying down to see what comes to me.

Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy said...

Well, whatever you are, you are AWESOME! I'll check out the tests soon. All I can say is that I bet all the middle schoolers wanted you for their math teacher.

Take care,

Kathy M.

Unknown said...

Of course you may link my post! :) Claire

L'Heure Bleue At Home said...

How interesting! I think I'm the same way as you with abilities evenly distributed. Thank you so much for dropping by L'Heure Bleue At Home.

Cory (playdates and prescriptions) said...

i can definitely see how you are equal. i just took one of the quizzes - 75% left brained, 25% right. :)

Cat Davis said...

That was actually kinda fun. I came out 62% left-brain on the first quiz and 60% left-brain on the second quiz.

Anonymous said...

60% left brain, but then it said I was good at math. Not! Not at all! But it was fun, I love to take those tests :)

Unknown said...

Okay. So...I am not going to catch up on my blog reading tonight, but boy have I had fun with these tests!!! The girl was spinning right for me and left for my hubby. (he is a banker) The first test gave me a 69% right, 39% left and the breakdown was unbelievably accurate. The second one gave me 75% right brained, 25% left brained. I printed out the entire report for the first one because it was so spooky how well each sub category described me accurately!

Hey...by the way...I actually came to your blog to tell you that a post you put up, didn't post. The re-gifted bun warmer story is in my Google Reader, but not on your blog. What's up with that??

Unknown said...

Took the first test and I was 45% left 55% right. Looked at the dancing girl and I could see her going both ways but I had to switch it by looking out of the corner of just one eye. Took the other test and it was the same split! (Mathematically they must be a good judge of brain-ed-ness because their was no error :)) I'm going to guess that being evenly balanced is what makes a great teacher!

The Cottage Market {Andrea} ♥ said...

great post and i am going to take the test really soon and fill you in on the results! i am now your newest follower! sending hugs...

my thrifty closet said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
my thrifty closet said...

that is so interesting, mm...I have got to take this test. But my guess is-I am probably the right brain type, like maybe 90% right brain and hardly anything for left brain. I am a math dummy. Seriously, I fail my math test from elementary school all the way to college. But I score high for Art. You are a well balanced person so you taught math in a creative way, which is perfect. I wish you were my teacher so that I wouldn't fail math so badly. Haha...and thank you by the way, you always so kind and sweet to me ;-)

mongs
mythriftycloset.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Very interesting. I'm not really sure I want to know, about me that is!! Could be depressing! LOL

Jacqueline said...

Oh, it sounds like you have mastered plenty of trades to me! You are just good at everything. I loved creative math teachers - ones that made math fun and made you see how you were going to use it in everyday life! Sounds like you are a great one.

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I'm like that too - right and left-sided brain. I've heard all the best people are, don't you know!!!

And, for the record, I DEFINITELY think both-sided people make FANTASTIC teachers!

Sarahx

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

This is very interesting but I hate taking tests so I skipped that part. This probably is very bad. Heehee. I bet you were a really good teacher. Shannon

Debbiedoos said...

I knew I was right brained before I even took the test. Funny thing is it was close 48% 52% right, what the heck does that mean LOL. Fun test!

BluBabesCreate said...

Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate your wonderful compliment on my dollhouse.

Lyosha Varezhkina said...

I'm so proud to be reading the math teacher. My math teacher did a lot of good for me helping to develop the technical part of me, I loved maths and always did fine.
jack of trades - master of none. people like that are always in need in fact. but I could never be like that (even though my results were pretty much equal to yours). very interesting interpretation.

LV said...

I wish I had you for a teacher when growing up. It is hard for teacher now as the students want to be in control. I could not do it.

Holly Lefevre said...

I consider myself a jack of all trades master of none too. I took the test...41% left/59% right. Very interesting.

Mimi said...

How fun! I came out 44% left 56% right. Maybe that is why I am still confused about my direction in life :) So many things I love doing but have a hard time focusing on just one (or two or a few) My major was business with minor in accounting (and I do like that field) But...I taught myself how to sew at 10 and love to draw.
Thank you so much for sharing the test links! Great post!

Tonya said...

Thank you for entering my Dayspring giveaway and following my blog!! I sound just like you with holding on to all that "Goodwill junk" thinking I'll get to it someday. I've been clearing out clutter slowly.

Scarlett said...

This is so interesting, thanks for sharing :O) Scarlett x

Shelly said...

I'm so far into my right brain that the left side probably atrophied and died. I think learning styles are so interesting- (I'm visiting from thisisme.)

Liesl said...

I always found the studies between the right and left brained so fascinating! Hope you have a lovely weekend and thank you for all your nice messages!

Liesl :)

MunirGhiasuddin said...

I thought that if one is right handed his/her brain is dominent on the left and visa versa.

Thrifty Crafty Girl said...

I took the test, I'm 55% left brain and 45% right brain. On the list of jobs I'd be good it, there was 'skating judge'.

That made me giggle.

Angie said...

I see the dancer spinning clockwise, which suggests right-brained. I do not think I fit that description. So, I did your first test, and it said I'm 69% left-brained, 31% right-brained. Sounds more likely. I couldn't get the dancer to switch the other way.

Anonymous said...

i looked at that thing and got overwhelmed. does that mean i have 'no brain'?! LOL