Wrapping Things Up... General Closure

Well this has been a crazy summer for me. This is my first summer where I have taken classes, and that alone made me a busy, busy student. Then we welcomed a new baby into our family about half way through summer courses. Talk about a challenge. Not only have I been a busy, busy student, I have also been a busy, busy mother. For a while I was not sure if I was going to be able to keep up. The only math I could think about was based around diapers and bottles. However, I am very happy to say as we near end, I have made it. It was not always pretty, but I have made it.

I am leaving these classes with a variety of different skills that I would have never thought I would get from these classes. Not only have I sharpened up my math skills, I have also learned how to use three new technology resources through this class. I have learned how to create and manage a blog, create a mind map, and even create cartoons for classroom use. Not to mention, all of the great readings we had in class and the information and wonderful resources I came across when researching for all of the different projects and classroom discussions.

All of this has been a wonderful experience for me. I will take so much great information with me from completing these courses and, I am very excited to use all of the information and resources I have gained in the future, in a class of my own!

Open Your Eyes, Math is Everywhere!!! Math 1510 Post #6

 

So often you hear students ask "why do I have to learn this"' or "when will I ever use this" when learning different math topics. They feel that there is no reason to learn something that they will never have to actually use. Well, the truth is that they will have to use all different topics and aspects of math throughout their entire lives. We as teachers need to open their eyes to all of the ways that they will use math in their futures. If students are able to make connections to real life situations, I feel that they are more likely to absorb the information being given to them.

Let's look at integers. First off, what are integers anyways? Well integers are whole numbers and their opposites on a number line and zero. They are both negative and positive. Now why is it important to learn about integers? Will you ever use them in the future? The answer is YES!!! Of course you are going to use integers in your futures. You many already be using and working with integers and not even realize it! 

There are many different real life uses for integers. Many people have a checking account where they spend and deposit money or a credit card where they spend money and make payments on the balance due. This is an example of using integers in real life. You also use integers when you look and temperature, elevation, and distance. You come across these real life uses for integers on a daily basis.

Math is everywhere! It is important to help students make that connection between math and the real world. This will help students understand the purpose of learning math topics, spark interest in learning the topics, and feel more comfortable actually using them. Help them open their eyes and realize math is all around them and it is an important part of life.

Calculator Dependency? Math 1512 Post #6

Calculator dependency has been a topic of discussion throughout my math courses. Should or shouldn't the use of calculators be allowed in elementary schools? Are students becoming too dependent on using calculators to solve their math problems? Are calculators a good or a bad thing? So many problems that a basic calculator can't solve! I will be the first to admit that over the years I have become a little dependent on the use of the calculator. I use it all the time. There are even times that I catch myself punching in a very simple math problem and then realizing that I already know the answer to the problem without the use of the calculator. I have found that my math facts do not come to my mind as fast as they should, and my first thought is to reach for my calculator.

I came across an article about calculator use called Using Calculator in Elementary Math Teaching. This article brings me back to the question, are calculators a good or a bad thing? According to the article calculators are not bad or good, the are just a tool. So then we need to look at another question, are calculators a tool that are benefiting or hurting our students? I personally feel that it is a bit of both, I feel that it is hurting and benefiting our students at the same time. 

The truth is that the calculator is a tool that all students need to know how to work. However, students also need to know how to work out a lot of the problem with a basic pencil and paper. A calculator can be a great tool in the classroom, but it needs to be used appropriately. Students need to know how to do the work with their own brains and not always rely on the calculator to do the work for them. The use of a calculator in elementary school should be limited, but there is still a place for its use. By only allowing use at certain times and making sure the students know how to solve the problems on there own can help to create a good balance in the classroom. You do not want your students to become dependent on the use of a calculator for everything. Exercise your mind! 

Do Games Result in Learing? Math 1512 Post #5

Do games really result in learning? Yes!!! The answer is YES!!! Games are a great way to help students learn. Students love playing games so when you can incorporate learning into a game everyone can have a good time and the benefits are endless. Games can be used to teach a topic, reinforce a topic, or practice a topic. Games also provide a variety of different learning strategies and encourage critical thinking. Students are interested in and want to play games in class, therefore students remain engaged and interested in not only the game itself but in what they are accomplishing and learning. 

Some people feel that playing games in class is a waste of time and money. The feel that students should learn the materials by drilling them into their heads and practicing them in a fashion that many students find to be boring. This in turn makes students look at math in a negative and boring way. Students want to have fun with their learning, and games in the classroom when used in the proper way can be very beneficial. Students are able to learn all of the required materials while maintaining a positive outlook on learning math.

This week we explored a website from BBC Education that included all different types of math learning games. There are so many different websites that are free that include learning games that cover all different topics, levels, and subjects. I was introduced to a couple other websites that contain math learning games from a teacher in my mentor's school. She really likes to use Hooda Math and Math Nook as learning games in her classroom. There are so many online learning games and resources you can fine pretty much anything you need including printable practice sheets and activities, and many of these resources are free!

Math games for the classroom are not limited to online resources, there are so many other games you can play in class with basic classroom materials such as play money, cards, and dice. There are so many different and creative ideas for math games in the classroom. There are also ideas for math learning games that parents can do with their children outside of school. Math games are a fantastic way to keep students positive about learning math. Games really do result in learning!!!

How do Students Learn Mathematics? Math 1510 Post #5

 

Have you ever stopped to think about how students really learn math? How do they learn, and are we teaching in a way that matches up with how they learn? Now days classrooms are filled with a wide variety of academic levels and learning styles. It is important to recognize, understand, and adapt to the students you are teaching in order really teach effectively. Teachers need more knowledge of how children learn mathematics.

In this weeks reading we read an article called Tying It All Together by Jennifer M. Suh. The article focuses on classroom practices that promote proficiency for students in the area of mathematics. The article specifically lists five different areas that tie together to create proficiency in math. They called this "The Five Strands of Mathematics Proficiency." The five strands are; adaptive reasoning, strategic reasoning, conceptual understanding, productive disposition, and procedural fluency.  The article then goes on to explain each strand and its importance as well as discuses different teaching strategies that help teach math proficiently.

I feel that this was a wonderful article with a lot of very helpful, useful, and important information. With all of the different academic levels and learning styles it is so important for teachers to have to tools and the knowledge to really get through to all of their students. It is great to see a breakdown of the ways that students really learn math, it enables you to adapt your teaching styles and activities to meet the ways students learn creating a more proficient learning environment.

Manipulate Your Mind!!! Math 1510 Post #4

In a previous post for Math 1512, I discussed the use of the geoboard as a classroom manipulative and it got me thinking, why stop there. This week I worked with an online thinking blocks manipulative that I found to be very insightful. There are so many different types of manipulatives that you can use in you classroom. They can be online resources, manipulatives bought for specific purposes, they can be homemade manipulatives, or anything you have laying around that you can create a visual out of. 

Using manipulatives in the classroom is something that I feel very strongly about. There is a great importance in using manipulatives in the classroom. I feel that using manipulatives can really enhance what the students are learning. Using manipulatives when teaching allows the students to work "hands on" and visually see what they are doing and working out. The cartoon above is one I created on using manipulatives in the classroom. Many times students see a problem on the board and panic. Allowing them to use their hands and work out the problems with the assistance of manipulatives makes the problem easier to understand and more real to the students.

There are many different tips on how to use manipulatives in the classroom out there. I feel that it is important for teachers to take advantage of all of the great ideas and ways to use manipulatives in the classroom. By using them in the classroom you are using multiple teaching strategies and reaching a greater number of your students. Also by using "hands on" learning situations you are creating a more memorable experience for your students. The benefits are endless.

Enhance Learning with Technology Math 1512 Post #4

If someone would have told me in high school that I would be creating a blog, cartoons, and mind maps for a college math class I would have thought they were crazy. I did not have much experience and was not very comfortable using different forms of technology until the last couple years. I had an email account in high school that actually closed down on me because I never used it. My friends had to pretty much force me to open a facebook account a couple years back. My sister told me to stop being an old lady (I was 25) and get with it. So I finally caved and opened a facebook account and, got my email up and running again. Now being back in school where everything for my classes in done online, and we use multiple forms of technology to complete assignments and projects I am getting to be more and more comfortable every day. I think you basically have to be comfortable with technology to teach now days.

Technology is a huge part of learning and teaching in the classrooms today. In a discussion I had with the principle at my mentor's school she explained how she actually makes sure that all of the teachers in the building are keeping up on technology and encourages them to explore new forms of technology to use in the classroom. Let's face it, kids now days know a lot about technology, and they spend a great deal of time on the internet. My son has been working my iphone better than me since he was a year old. He has more applications and games on it than I do.

There are so many forms of technology and so many different reasons to use technology in the classroom. Being enrolled in an online education program has really opened my eyes to different forms of technology and actually taught me how to use them. It has given me all kinds of ideas for ways I would like to use technology in my future classroom. Technology is everywhere and available in so many forms, you might as well take advantage of it. 

Common Core State Standards... Math 1510 and 1512

The Common Core State Standards Initiate states:

“The Common Core State Standards provide a consistent, clear understanding of what students are expected to learn, so teachers and parents know what they need to do to help them. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that our young people need for success in college and careers. With American students fully prepared for the future, our communities will be best positioned to compete successfully in the global economy.”

This addresses a very important part of teaching, and learning. It is so important to make sure that students have a very clear understanding of what is expected of them and the information that they are expected to learn. Also, that parents know what is going on in the classroom and what is expected of their students. Open communication between all can be very helpful in making sure that each student stays on track with their education. 

The goal is to help prepare all students for life in the "real world". What a better way to do that then by exposing them to real life events, problems, and skills that they need. Preparing our students for the future is a very important job that needs to be taken seriously. It is important that everyone is supportive and on the same page. Education is the road to success!

Shape it up!!! Math 1512 Post #3

Shapes, lines, angles, and measurements. All the basic elements for introducing geometry. What is a good way to introduce all of these concepts while allowing the students to work "hands on"? Manipulatives are a wonderful teaching tool. One manipulative that is a wonderful tool for geometry is the geoboard. Geoboards can be used to create shapes, lines, angles, and calculate measurements. They are fun and easy to use. I love the geoboard, it is a wonderful manipulative! It creates a picture for the students when working out problems.

There are a number of different forms of the geoboard that you can use in your classroom. You can use basic photocopies of a dotted geoboard and allow the students to draw and color their shapes, lines, and angles. You can also use hand held geoboards, or make your own hand held geoboards. You can even incorporate technology into your geometry lesson and use online geoboards.

There are so many useful manipulatives available to use as teaching tools, I feel that it is important for teachers to take advantage of them. They allow the students to have a variety of different teaching styles and help engage them in many different learning activities that are fun and exciting, making for memorable learning experiences.

Sparking Interest in Learning Math!!! Math 1510 Post #3

25 divided by 5 equals ???

or

If you have 25 gumballs and you want to split them up equally between 5 people how many gumballs will each person get???

Now which problem will spark more interest with a group of young students? I believe that the word problem will. What kid doesn't like candy? Why not use it in math? It is an easy way to grab the attention of the students. Find things that students are interested in and incorporate them into a math lesson. 

Many math lessons can seem pretty dry and somewhat boring to children. One way to make a simple math problem interesting is by relating it to something that the students enjoy. Using word problems to teach even the most simple problems can spark an interest in the students. This will make them feel more involved and they will enjoy what they are leaning much more. 

There are many different ways that you can make math interesting for students. You can use word problems, relate problems to the interests of the students, use visual aids, have students act out problems, the list goes on and on. There are so many different things that you can do to engage students and make math fun. You just need to spark the interest!!!

Oh the Probabilities.... Math 1512 Post #2

Oh the Probabilities... Well I am going to be honest, probabilities are not my strong area. I had a little bit of difficulties with this weeks lessons on probabilities. I feel that probability is a difficult topic to really gasp. I found the video that we watched this week about probability in Tim Bedley's classroom to be very helpful and a great way to address probability in class. It created a very memorable learning experience. With difficult topics such as probability, making the lesson memorable is very important.

There are a number of different probability activities that you can do to teach probability that will help students to understand the materials while creating a memorable lesson. Also by allowing the students to work "hands on" with probability activities where they are able to record the results and see the outcomes helps engage the learning of the students. Some activities can be done individually or in cooperative learning groups. 

Another way to teach probability is in games. What child doesn't like to play games? I can't think of a more exciting way to learn. There are a number of different probability games that students can do. You can either make them really simple or go all out, either way students will be able to have fun and learn at the same time.

Lets Work Together!!! 1510 Post #2

Cooperative Learning- Does it benefit all students? I have had discussions in the past on if cooperative learning is really a beneficial teaching strategy for all students, or just beneficial to lower level students while holding back higher level students. I personally think that cooperative learning is beneficial to all students in a variety of different ways. The benefits seem endless! Regardless of academic level, cooperative learning can benefit all students in many different areas of life.

You often see math being taught in a very traditional way. The teacher goes over the required information, and the students work on assignments and worksheets. I found it a little difficult to come up with cooperative learning lessons for math, but with a little research you can find all different kinds of ideas to incorporate cooperative learning into a math lesson. There are also strategies that you can look at when planning cooperative learning lessons to ensure that they will suit the needs of the classroom.

One extremely important part of cooperative learning that needs to be taken into consideration when planning cooperative learning activities is the grouping of the students. This can either make or break the experience that you are trying to create for your students. It is hard to know the best way to group students. There are a number of different tips for creating learning groups that you can follow. I personally feel that it is important for the teacher to know their students. By knowing the students in your classroom you are very likely to know what students will be able to work well together and what students will not be able to work well together.

More Topics / Less Depth? 1512- Post #1

There are so many topics that need to be covered in math. Looking specifically at the Minnesota Math Standards you can see all of the different topics within math that need to be covered. Each topic has standards that need to be reached. The same the topics reappear year after year, and the standards change slightly. Topics are often reintroduced many times for review. During our first week of class we read an article which touched on the set up of math curriculum in the United States. The article was called, A Coherent Curriculum, The Case of Mathematics. It was written by William Schmidt, Richard Houang, and Leland Cogan. The article described the math curriculum that is in place in the United States to be "a mile wide and an inch deep."

When it comes to education, what does that mean, being a "mile wide and an inch deep?" Basically the author explained that the U.S. covers many topics within a years time. Then these same topics are reintroduced many times throughout a student's education, but never really in much more depth than it was the previous time. Many other countries cover less topics within a years time, but cover the topics in much more depth. With the way that the academic standards are set up for the U.S., it is hard to eliminate any of the topics covered. The curriculum is based on and around what needs to be covered and reached through the standards. So while the standards are a wonderful guideline that is used to make sure students are where they need to be, do they contain too many topics per year? Is it better to have less topics that are covered more in depth?

I am honestly on the fence about this. The way I see it, you can look at it two different ways. First, you could say yes, our students are missing out on learning these topics in the depth that they should be due to the amount of topics and information covered in a years time. Second, you could say no, being there are so many different topics being covered our students are receiving a nice, well-rounded education. Each approach seems to have its benefits, so it is hard to say what works best for the math curriculum of the students of the U.S.

Educational Standards 1510- Post #1

Standards, standards, standards.... It seems that in studying to become a teacher you hear a lot about standards and benchmarks. There are standards for every grade level, as well as each subject that is covered. You can access the Minnesota State Standards to view a list of each standard and benchmark for each grade level, subject, and topic. There is no escaping them!

There seems to be a lot of mixed feelings and opinions among teachers, parents, and students on the topic of standards. What is the overall purpose of a standards based education? Well, the overall purpose is to set a guideline of what students are expected to learn and be able to do by a specific year in their education. Requiring them to show completion in all of them in order to graduate. This holds all teachers accountable for teaching and covering materials that cover all of the standards. The students are also accountable for learning information that covers all of the same standards across the state. Having standards in play help teachers and students to move along together, by creating plans and goals of what will be completed. This helps to keep everyone on the same page within the school as well as across the state.

There were readings about educational standards for both of my math classes this week 1510 & 1512. They are a very important part of learning to become a teacher as well as actually being a teacher. There is a lot of information to understand and to grasp when it comes to standards that at times I feel can be confusing. However, the overall purpose of standards in positive and important in education.

Kicking Things Off - General Introduction

This is a very busy time in my life. The past few years have been full of major life changes and decisions in all aspects of my life. From getting married, buying a house, many remodeling projects, adding a dog to the picture, the birth of my first son, going back to school, and awaiting the arrival of my second son (which I am getting very impatient about) it has been a crazy but wonderful time.

I decided to go back to school to be an elementary education teacher about 2 years ago. I am very happy with my decision. I attended college right out of high school, but was not 100% sure what I wanted to do for my life. I took some time off of school and ended up working as a paraprofessional for a while. I absolutely loved it! It helped guide me back in the direction of school. At this time I was already married and my first son was on the way.I guess you can say "life happens." I knew attending a university would mean either a lot of travel, (being the nearest university was nearly two hours from where I lived) or it would mean moving my family to a new town. Neither choice seemed to be a good option. This is why I am so thankful for online programs and classes. I am able to earn the degree I want while being at home with my family.

I am currently enrolled in 3 summer courses. One health class and 2 math classes. I am taking Math for Elementary Education Teachers 1510 and 1512 through Central Lakes College. This blog will focus on what I am learning in my math classes, the ways math is relating to my life, and overall thoughts and experiences that I may be having relating to math and what we are currently covering. I am very excited to see what learning opportunities these classes have in store for me.