Maya Cohen
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. - Dr. Seuss
Educator in training
Mathematics 2 (EDEE 332)
What I've learned in EDEE 332
Throughout this course (EDEE 332) I have learned numerous math themes apart of the curriculum which I will include in my classroom. These themes include:
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Measurement (comparing attributes, volume, capacity, time, angles).
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Orchestrating classroom discussions ( anticipate, monitor, select, sequence, connect).
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Creating open/parallel questions.
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Statistics (measures of central tendency - mean, median and mode).
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Probability (qualitative/quantitative, experimental vs theoretical)
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Spatial reasoning (decomposition/composition of shapes)
Furthermore, I have learned that one concept that has stood out and proven to be true comes from the principles of high-quality teaching. This practice would be: teachers must know their students as individuals and learners.
- I believe this practice to be essential and beneficial as a teacher.
- Knowing our students as individuals allows us to better understand them within the classroom setting.
- Getting to know our students and including their interests and things they enjoy talking about allows for a better learning environment for students as they are more engaged in the material. I put this into practice in my field placement, and it made a difference in student learning.
Goals for student learning:
1. To represent their thinking and ideas when solving problems.
My first goal for my student's learning is for them to be able to represent their thinking and ideas. I think this is one of the most beneficial tools for students to learn at the elementary level as this is something they will continue to carry over throughout their education. During my field experience, I really focused on ensuring my student's understanding of how to properly represent their ideas. I provided my students with various examples of different ways they can represent their thinking. Many mistakes I have seen in students' work is the lack of being able to properly set their work up which then leads to mistakes.
2. Use the appropriate mathematical language in both written and oral.
Students must learn the proper mathematical language to communicate both in written work and orally, demonstrating their understanding. Students must keep up with the terminology and truly understand the meaning of what they are saying. Therefore, by enforcing mathematical language in the classroom, students will further their knowledge. As a teacher, it will be my job to provide students with easy definitions and ensure they use the terms correctly. Furthermore, I will be sure to give the students sheets of terminology and visuals and posters around our classroom. During my third field placement, I always provided students with additional sheets for definitions when working on new concepts.
3. To be able to justify and prove their understandings and how they solved a problem.
One of the most important goals when teaching math to students is to ensure that they can justify their answers and explain how they got there. When teaching math, I have often seen that students can get to their final answer; however, they are unable to explain how they did so. Therefore, I will push students to write out each step individually before getting to their final answers. I have seen first hand when tutoring and when in stage that when students have each step labelled on their sheet, this allows them to review their steps, notice mistakes, and visualize how they got to their final answer. I will provide students with clear examples of what is expected from them and ensure that they can justify their answers.
Ways I will support student learning:
KNOWING MY STUDENTS
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I will support my students learning by getting to know them.
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Knowing our students' interests, abilities, and struggles is vital as a teacher.
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This allows us to understand our classroom better and better prepare our lessons.
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I will be sure to integrate their interests into our lessons and activities.
Examples :
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include student's names in activities and questions
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- Base lessons off of classroom interests
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Create fair groups (students with different strengths and weaknesses)
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Be aware of students' situations
PROVIDE VARIOUS MATERIALS
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I will provide my students with various materials to understand the concepts and target the different types of learners in my classroom.
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As classrooms are extremely diverse, it is key to provide all students with alternative ways to demonstrate their understandings.
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I will ensure to create inclusive lessons that include different materials such as hands-on activities, videos, visuals and more.
Examples:
- Incorporate different ways of teaching material (hands on activities, videos, visuals)
- Provide different methods to benefit students abilities and learning styles
SAFE/INCLUSIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
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I will be sure to create a safe learning environment for my students as math is one of the subjects that tend to cause anxiety in students.
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I will be sure to include fun and engaging games
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I will make sure my students are aware that it is okay to make mistakes and that we are all learning together.
Examples:
- Set classroom expectations with students.
- Allow time for online math games (independent or class-wide)
- Reassure students that we are here to learn and making mistakes is apart of the process
- Make math learning fun!
MY VISION AS A MATH TEACHER
Examples of math lessons:
Below are examples of teaching that align with my vision:
Example 1: Angles & Shapes
The objective of this lesson is for students to learn the differences between a right angle, acute angle and obtuse angle. As well as the different characteristics of polygons/quadrilaterals.
The final goal for the end of this lesson is that students will be able to incorporate at least one of each of these terms described in an engaging activity.
Students have the creative freedom to create their dream bedrooms during this activity while including mathematical concepts such as various angles and shapes discussed in class. During this activity, I will provide students with Chromebooks to look up any inspiration necessary. Furthermore, students will have a glossary sheet with the terms needed to ensure student understanding and participation.
Structure:
This lesson was done with a cycle 2, grade 4 class. I displayed a personal example on the smartboard to demonstrate clear expectations for this activity. Students were placed in groups where they did a short brainstorm on the different possibilities of items they might want in their room. During this time, students had to focus on how they would include the angles and polygons into their dream bedrooms. After 10 minutes, students then began to work independently and began the construction of their rooms. At this time, students used their Chromebooks to find inspiration. Lastly, the students had vocabulary sheets to use as support if needed.
Click here to see my lesson plan.
Example 2: Adding 4 digit numbers
The objective for this lesson is for students to learn how to add two 4-digit numbers together and the importance of place value in a number.
The final goal for this lesson is for students to be able to justify and prove their understandings of the concept through the use of short word problems.
Structure:
I did this lesson with a cycle 2, grade 4 class. We have already looked at place value in numbers in our classroom, so students were already familiar with thousands, hundreds, tens, and units. However, I introduced addition with 4-digit numbers. This lesson was done using technology as I shared a google presentation with students. I actively engaged students as they participated in examples presented on the board. Some students came up and took on the role of "teacher." To reinforce student learning, they received a Halloween-themed math worksheet where they had the option to work in groups or work individually. I left the examples we had done on the board to allow students to return if necessary.
Click here to see my google slides presentation.
Click here to see my lesson plan.
Example 3: Multiplication
The objective for this lesson is for students to learn the basic multiplication table from 0 to 10. Students will be provided with various tricks and tools to learn help learn their multiplication table.
The final goal for this lesson is for students to use the appropriate mathematical language as well as be able to represent their thinking.
Provide different ways for students to represent their work:
Structure:
I did this lesson with a cycle 2, grade 4 class. I will introduce this lesson on the smartboard, reviewing multiplication and discussing the proper terminology. I will then show students various ways we can represent our work and different ways for them to understand the material. I will then allow students to work on a reinforcement multiplication worksheet. On this worksheet, students will have to demonstrate their understanding of the three different techniques discussed previously.
Click here to view my google presentation on multiplication.
Click here to see my reinforcement math worksheet.