Madeline’s Math Blog

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 😊