Madeline’s Math Blog

Week 8  In Class Activity Analysis               In class we completed an activity placing coordinates on a grid to make an image. It mentioned in the slideshow that this could be fun for holidays. I often hear the complaint that teachers don’t teach in the weeks leading up to Christmas. This activity would be a great way to create a holiday picture, while still teaching curriculum. The picture could make a Christmas tree, a wreath or a reindeer. If you didn’t want to be Christmas specific you could have it be an animal, like the shark we completed in class in a learning activity presentation. This also could be an interdisciplinary lesson, using art and math expectations. Connections to Reading     Small (2013) describes a plotting activity like the one in class, explaining that students plot points on a grid and connect the lines as they go (using both plot by 3, 2 and go right two and ...

Week 6  In Class Activity Analysis  In class we completed a group problem solving activity using proportions, then a gallery walk, using the one stay/two stray technique. After completing the problem, another group came, while I stayed, and they completed a speak out loud to determine the clarity of our communication (I could only listen). Then our group was given the option to clarify our answer further.   By looking at clarity of answer, instead of if it was right, places a focus on process instead of the correct answer, as well as how clear we could communicate our answers. Through feedback from classmates, students were able to understand how to ensure diverse groups could comprehend our math problem solving strategies, which would help improve not only our strategies, but allow other groups to consider different ways of solving and communicating the answer to the question. I would want to ensure students understand how to give constructive feedback, how to c...

Week 4 http://engaging-math.blogspot.com/2015/04/tarsia-puzzle-fractionsdecimals-and.html In Class Activity Analysis In class we used a Tarsia puzzle as an example of a fun way to have students practice using mental math to find equivalent fractions. This puzzle has students make a hexagon out of triangles. This puzzle requires students not only to understand equivalent fractions and how to find them, but geometry and how triangles can make up shapes. I have concerns that this would be too hard for students to complete, as we never were able to completely solve the puzzle. It also would be hard to differentiate this activity, as even if you had them complete a puzzle with less pieces or easier fractions it still requires multiple math streams content knowledge and mental math skills.  This is a teachers blog that has links to Tarsia creation software and how to use it. Connections to Reading            ...

Week 1               In class we discussed the growth mindset, as understanding we can all progress in our learning through practice and teacher support. I had always believed as a student that my intelligence was fixed, and subjects that I struggled in would never become easier. I believed that I would never become better at subjects like math because I just didn’t have a math and science brain. Instead I had an arts and English brain, and these were the subjects I would do well in. I wish a teacher had helped me to understand sooner that just like learning a musical instrument, I could become better at math through practice. I also believe as a teacher it is vital to show students’ they aren’t stupid if they cant complete a problem. To show students their minds can grow will help them become motivated to learn. Bell, Hill and Bass (2005), discuss that teachers should not just present math at the front while students...

Welcome Fellow Teacher Candidates! I’m looking forward to learning how to become an effective math teacher and work to expand my own growth mindset. I always thought I was not good at math, so how would I be a good math teacher? However, what our first class showed me was that my hard work to understand math would help me break down questions for my students in ways they can understand. I will demonstrate through my own math journey that math can be accessible for all, and everyone can be a “ math person”. Looking forward to the semester 😊