Week 3 reflection, I'm not in Kansas anymore...

Things are getting real...

Every week we have a sort of "information overload" trying to sort through everything that needs to be done as Teacher Candidates. I have now had the chance to observe a fifth grade classroom which has greatly helped "open" my eyes when it comes to teaching math. Let's just say, the thought of teaching math doesn't quite scare the pants off me anymore...OK let's not get ahead of ourselves, it is still slightly intimidating, but not as bad as three weeks ago.

This week, our readings that were assigned talked about when it was acceptable to estimate something and which elements matter when you make the decision which strategy to use. When you want to estimate something, the factors to consider are the context and the numbers and operations involved. Chapter 11 talks about the use of manipulatives to model algorithms for addition, subtraction, multiplication and division and what appropriate manipulatives are considered to be. I've had the opportunity to see the kids in my placement class use manipulatives now and I find it very interesting that some students need the visual aid to solve a problem, and others can simply solve the problem using mental math.

Retrieved September 29th, 2016 from: Wikipedia 

I found Chapter 11 to be extremely interesting especially as we were working on our problem solving activity this week. It talks about all the different algorithms possible for the four mathematical procedures, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Having two children answer two questions each for my problem solving activity gave me an opportunity to see that there are several different ways to come up with the correct answer, it is personal preference for that student/child.

One thing I really enjoyed this week during our math class was that our peers each had to do a presentation and teach a "mini" math lesson. I appreciated having the opportunity to see that everyone has a different teaching style however I didn't find any less successful than another. We also had the opportunity to work in our table groups while doing these activities and it was interesting to see everyone's different strategies for coming up with the answer.

Every week I have the opportunity to learn something new and see something new, this week I saw the students in my placement work with DreamBox. If you have a minute, take a look at the link and check it out, it is a resource that children can use to play games and learn math at the same time...I could not believe how engaged they were during this activity!

I find myself getting excited about going into my placement to see what new technique my associate teacher will use that week to help her students grasp new things...it is wonderful to be in my position and have someone experienced to learn from and I have definitely been taking notes!

Hope you all read again next week, signing off for now.
Bye!

Week 2 Reflection, Let's Talk About Math

Let's Talk About Math

Let me start by asking this question: do you think there is a negative opinion of mathematics in todays society? This is something I have personally always struggled with because I've "disliked" (for lack of a better word) math nearly my entire life. I have always found it difficult and have never put in as much effort as I should have because I never felt like I had the support that I needed to really just get something. I believe that kids of this generation have a negative opinion of mathematics simply due to the way it is presented to them, you start off being forced to take it, at a very fast paced, sometimes in a classroom with 30 or more other students and it can all become very hectic. There is also the question about how much mathematical knowledge teachers have in todays society, in an article we were provided this week to read, there is a very interesting opening statement that says "With all the talk of teachers’ weak mathematical knowledge, we begin with a reminder that the problem on the table is the quality of mathematics teaching and learning, not—in it- self—the quality of teachers’ knowledge. We seek in the end to improve students’ learning of mathematics, not just produce teachers who know more mathematics" (Simmt, Elaine and Davis, Brent. Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group. 2002). 

For more information regarding this article, please visit this page. 

I personally found this article very beneficial because it states that teachers do not need to know every math equation per say, however they need to know how to teach these equations, which are two different things. 

In class this we were presented with a task, Miss Bunz asked us the simple question "if there are 22 people in the class and everyone was to shake everyone's hand, how many total handshakes would there be?". This seems like a fairly simple question right? So we thought, however there were a few elements that needed to be analyzed before jumping into finding the appropriate solution, you couldn't shake the same person's hand twice, so my hand shake with Miss Bunz would only count as one, hers to me would not count. Troubling right? Right away my brain jumped into, let's look at this as if you're on the outside of a bubble and everyone else is on the inside, if everyone has a turn outside of the bubble, 22 people will have the chance to shake 21 other peoples' hands. 

After having done this activity, we had the chance to go around the room and look at the equations everyone else came up with to solve the problem and I was very surprised to see that nearly every group had come up with the answer a different way, however every group had the same answer. 

This made things quite clear to me when I ask myself "what makes an excellent mathematics teacher?". Being able to accept more than one way to solve the same problem. I believe that teachers who aren't open to change aren't necessarily as flexible when it comes to trying to explain something to a student who may just not be getting something. To finish things off today, I think the big picture is that you can do it, even if you're scared, you just need to be willing to accept new things and change your way of thinking in this never ending evolution. 

Miller, J. Howard. "We Can Do It!" poster (1943). Retrieved from: Wikipedia 

My First Math Blog! EDBE 8P29

Hi everyone!

Who ever thought I would be writing a blog about math? (Not me, that's for sure) But here I am! I want to start by admitting how nervous I am about taking this math course, however after being in lecture for the first time last week, it most definitely did help settle my nerves, at least a little bit.

I was never strong in math, it usually took me a little longer to catch on to what was being taught in the classroom and I always felt pressured to be done as quickly as everyone else because I wasn't as smart as them if it took me a little longer, and let's admit, it can seem embarrassing to a young child in a full classroom!

Retrieved September 14th 2016 from: Pinterest

Having said that, I did have some wonderful teachers throughout my years of schooling who seemed to really just "get me". They could tend to my learning needs and explain things in different ways which helped tremendously on those exhausting problem solving activities. This was not always the case as everyone has their own personal teaching style, but I found those teachers who were passionate about math to be the most helpful throughout my years. 

I am hoping to come into this math course with a fresh mind and no previous "misconceptions" that may hold me back, I need to keep in mind that I have not personally been in my own math class since the 10th grade (8 years ago, yikes!). I want to have an open mind because it is never too late to take on something new and try and conquer something that you previously had difficulties with, because honestly nothing feels better than doing well at something you've previously struggled with!

The readings that were assigned this week were also a sort of "eye opener" for me, as Miss Bunz said in our first class, "you don't need to be a math wiz to be able to teach math", I feel strongly about that, I feel like you just need to be open to change and have a willingness to learn new things. Like it says in the curriculum document we were assigned to read, "the development of mathematical knowledge is a gradual process", I take that as meaning there is always new things to learn. 

The second document proved to be most useful for me, as it is stated in Toward a practical Based Theory of Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching, "what many teachers lack is mathematical knowledge that is useful to and usable for teaching". This point is what I am most looking forward to learning throughout this course, what going to be most important and practical when teaching a math class.

I look forward to sharing my learning experience with you throughout the year! Let's have some fun! 

Technology In the Classroom Intro Post

Welcome to my first blog!

Hi! Welcome to my blog, I can't wait to share my experiences with you throughout the semester. Keeping up with all the latest technology, quite frankly seems extremely daunting, however will make you the coolest teacher around. However being knowledgeable about how to correctly use technology is also extremely important for it to be effective so you must educate yourself on how to appropriately apply it, which is why I am taking this fun and exciting Teach Digital Learners in Digital Age class!


One of the main reasons I wanted to become a teacher was because I wanted to help shape our future generation; your teachers throughout your life are one of the main influences that help shape you into who you are. I believe technology in the classroom is one way that students can really express who they are and what they are passionate about with all the tools available to them.


Check out my Pinterest to see a few of the things that I am passionate about and that best describe me.


I want to share this brief video that shows how I feel about the importance of teachers to give everyone an idea of how important teachers are to the daily hustle and bustle of a child's life






Thank you for reading my first post, I hope you enjoyed it and were able to gain some insight as to why I want to be a teacher, I look forward to sharing what I learn and experience with you throughout the year!