Hi all,
This week you were supposed to read all of the challenge 5 articles that relate to your topic. Your reflection question for this week is as follows:
How did each article help further your understanding of your topic area (Classroom Discourse, Mathematical Tools, Mathematical Tasks, Role of the Teacher, Student Thinking, or Classroom Norms)?
Remember- have your posting completed before class on Tuesday- I will be checking to make sure they are posted and then reading them after class for comments.
Enjoy your weekend- Go Tigers!!!
Challenge 5 Reflections
ReplyDeleteThompson: Concrete Materials and Teaching for
Mathematical Understanding.
From this article I have learned the importance of using concrete materials to teach. Concrete materials are important but we need to make sure as educators that students are not only doing the activity but understanding the activity. We need to not only tell a student what and how to do something but explain it in such a way that the student understands why this system works and how it works. Every student learns differently therefore the teacher must teach in a variety of ways. After they complete a task have them reflect on it. Also using environmental aspects is important; so that it is more meaningful and real for the student. They will be able to make more connections if it is meaningful or real to them. I remember as a child if the teacher put a word problem into a real life situation it was much easier for me to do and understand.
Witherspoon: And the Answer is Symbolic
From this article I learned that mathematical symbols may be interpreted differently by different students. Teacher must be aware of this and should emphasize that their students’ use of symbols should be reasonable. Witherspoon states that “when students use mathematical symbols, they should be aware that they are using the symbols to communicate their thinking”. I feel this is very important and I feel by explaining this to the students it will help them to understand more. Students should know that there is not one way to solve a problem, there are many ways. They need to know that they should solve problems in a way that makes sense to them. Witherspoon also states “Teachers can encourage symbolic literacy by not making algorithms seem more important than the mathematical concepts they support”. Teachers can do this by asking students to “show their thinking” instead of “show their work”.
Try to envision your role as doing less "teaching" and doing more "facilitating". By allowing students to use approaches that are meaningful to them- you are able to meet their needs without telling them what to do. (Make sure you post your response on your blog- at first I couldn't find your response).
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