Based on what you remember about learning in math as an elementary school student and what you now know about teaching math, how are they the same and how are they different?
As a student I always thought math had to be taught by lecturing. Having learned more about how math instruction can vary based on content, I now know that math can be taught in lots of ways that are best suited for visual, auditory and tactile learners. I think if my teachers had varied their instruction to be engaging for tactile learners I may have enjoyed math, and not associate negative feelings towards it. When I have my own classroom I will be sure to vary instruction in every content area, including math.
Journal 2
Bullet the three most significant ideas that you have learned or come to understand about teaching math so far this semester. In 3 or 4 sentences for each, explain why the idea is important to you and your future teaching of math.
Teachers should connect math to real life experiences:
As an elementary student, the thing I hated the most about math was the lack of real world connection. I was the student arguing that I could always just use a calculator and as long as I was not going to pursue a career in engineering I would make it by with math. Students need to know that what they are learning will enhance their lives and be useful in their futures. Math is one of the easiest subjects to make applicable for students because they will always use math daily throughout their lives. If teachers can emphasis the effect math has on a daily basis it will help students appreciate and apply more to the subject.
Math should be taught with a hands on approach:
So much of math is taught as formulas or ideas, not as concrete sensible subjects. Allowing students to hold manipulate items to understand math concepts better will enhance their understanding. Although incorporating hands on activities in teaching math may add extra work for the teacher, it is ultimately worth the extra time because students who can see the math concepts and manipulate those concepts themselves will have a better basis and knowledge of why certain things in math are the way they are. It will also be especially helpful for tactile learners in the class who may otherwise be lost when thinking about math.
Process makes practice, and practice makes perfect:
The best way to master a skill in math is through practice. Teaching students the process of math skills allows them to take autonomy of the education and apply it to the problems. Once they begin to understand the process, they can practice It is crucial that students feel they can fail during this practice, and so teachers should not grade practice. Instead, teachers should use practice time to identify struggling students and refine the process skill with that student to help make their practice make perfect.
Journal 3
After being in a classroom and working with students, an Investigations training session, and a one semester math methods course, bullet out the 5 most important takeaways for you from the semester. Along with each idea, explain how you will demonstrate or carry out this idea in your classroom.
Implement inquiry based lessons.
Students are naturally curious and will learn best through experience. Math should be taught in a way that engages students through inquiry and questioning. I would focus on inquiry based lessons by posing questions in class that encourage group work and problem solving so students would have to be engaged and questioning to determine the solution.
Differentiation. Differentiation. Differentiation.
Students learn at very different paces. With the cognitive development of children and the prior knowledge variants among those children, it is impossible for a teacher to have a class of students who are all on the same page. Differentiation is key, especially in math. Math has the connotation of being boring, and dull, and when you give students assignments that are too hard, or too easy, this connotations becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Students need to be challenged and not overwhelmed in order to stay engaged in math. I would use differentiation in my class to ensure the growth of my students.
Engage multiple learning styles.
Math instruction can easily get stuck in lecture learning only. It is easy to talk about a concept, do three example problems on the board and expect students to understand, but it isn't successful. Teachers need to engage all learning styles through math instruction. I would do this by separating my students into groups based on learning style. Each group would be given a different assignment that pertained to the lesson. This way they could practice and make connections in a way that is experiential based.
Incorporate different content areas.
Other subjects can be used to supplement and enhance a math lesson. Incorporating a book, or historical event into a math lesson will help students see the connections they can build in learning. In my classroom I plan to use children's books to engage students in learning and then create math problems based on the story we read to keep the students engaged and forming connections.
Provide opportunity for exploration.
I believe that students learn best by experience. I hope in my classroom to provide students with the opportunity to explore a math concept. Through understanding the mechanics and the why about math topics, students will build a deeper understanding. I never want my students to merely memorize material to earn a grade, but rather, to explore a topic and gain understanding. Use of number talks and word problems will help me achieve this in my classroom.
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