Summary and Synthesis

I was really impressed with our book we have been looking at and using in class lately. We have been talking about (CGI) or the teaching techniques of Cognitively Guided Instruction. I really enjoyed watching the videos because they gave you a first hand look at how this teaching technique is used in a classroom. I also believe that asking a question to the whole class and allowing them to work to come up with an answer is great. It is important in my eyes that they come together and discuss what they did to figure out the question as group. This was also demonstrated in the video. By allowing students to use a variety of manipulatives to aid in their solving students will come up with unique ways of discovering the answer. This technique helps students learn the material more in depth rather than just memorization. Watching these videos helps me see how I can use this teaching technique in my future classroom.

New Insights and Their Implications

I never new until this class all the different methods of teaching fractions. I was very impressed with all the different techniques that the other students in the class came up with. Dr. Reins was very helpful in opening up my mind to new ideas for teaching fractions. It is difficult to think about new ways when you were only taught one. To me it just seemed easier using the ways I knew until I tried some of the techniques everyone else came up with. It was nice being able to use the fraction bars, pattern blocks, and Cuisenaire rods because they are all helpful methods to help students see the fractions and to do the math problems. I was able to use these things to discover new ways for solving problems. It is important to know that children learn different than eachother and using several methods to solve a problem will help all the children succeed. I will make sure that I use these different techniques when teaching fractions in my future classroom. I will also keep an open mind to new ideas of solving problems. I will also allow my students a chance to discover new ways to solve problems.

Summary and Synthesis

These last weeks we have been learning about fractions. We have been using the (CGI) Cognitvely Guided Instruction book. I like this book because it shows very good insites to teaching math. I also liked watching the videos that came in the book. I agree with how the teachers had many different manipulatives that kids could use to solve the math problems. I like how they let the children solve the math problems their way instead of just giving them one way. I also liked how she had them teach the class how they solved it. I am still amazed by how many ways there are to teach fractions. I really like this about them because it could be easier for a student in a way...but it could be harder for a student to do it that way....so there are numerous ways you could teach the students in order for them to understand the problems.

Summary and Synthesis

I did not realize until the last couple weeks of class how many different ways we as teachers can teach fractions. I can honestly say that I still struggle with adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions. It seems as though every time I am presented with these I am having to be retaught each and every time. It is good that there are so many different ways that we can teach this and make each student understand. Using the fraction bars, pattern blocks, or Cuisenaire rods are all helpful methods to help students see the fractions and to do the math problems with. I am not sure if we had these when I was learning this in school, but I can definately see how helpful they are now. You know, Math is my worst subject. The reason is becuase no one can ever tell me why we do the things we do in math. I was always just told, "That's the way it is! I have a really hard time when things are not explained to me or if I can't see it or physically do it. I think that these manipulatives are great learning tools becuase students can actually see why and how. Working with partners has also been a learning experience. Watching how other groups members solved the probems compared to my style was interesting. It showed that not every students will go about the problem the same way.
There are many methods that can help students learn about fractions. Teachers and students will actually have to work together to come up with methods and teaching strategies for the best learning to occur.

New Insights and Their Implications

These past few weeks in class we have been introduced to methods of how to teach students about addition and subtraction and multiplication and division. Dr. Reins has recently introduced the Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) to us. Although this method is fairly new to us, the basis of the approach is to use concrete materials, such as fraction bars, pattern blocks, or other manipulatives, to help students see or "act" out the problems. I think this method is a wonderful way for students to get a visual of what is happening during an addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division process. The CGI approach is a great way for students to figure things out on their own also. They have manipulatives to use to demonstrate 4 + 2 or 7 x 4. All students have different ways of thinking, and by giving them blocks, a time line, or fraction bars, they are able to show their process of thinking. This can be beneficial to the teacher so that he/she can see how their students learn best. Another point I would like to make about CGI is that the teacher should have all the students model how they arrived at a solution and their way of thinking. The teacher should be there to guide and instruct the students, and also encourage them.

New Insights and Their Implications

I have a great experience because I work at a daycare in Sioux Falls and while taking these methods courses this is helping me to apply and understand what is being taught to us in class. During study time, I get to work with students on their math skills so as we talk in class I am able to think about the students that I am working with and help them apply the strategies. I see them trying to apply what they have learned from teachers and are unable to correctly use what has been taught to them as well. I feel that for experienced teachers, changing their way of teaching must be difficult, however as a new teacher I will be able to help students construct their own understandings as this will only benefit them.

My biggest concern is that students will not be able to correctly construct their understanding. Will my teaching help them or hinder them?

New Insights and Thier Implication

I have a great experience becuase I am doing my SPED intern this semester while taking these methods courses and this helps me apply and understand what is being taught to us in class. In the resource room that I am in I work with a group of students on their math skills so as we talk in class I am able to think about the students that I work with and the strategies they apply to thier math. I see that many times they are taught how to do it (a process) and not given the chance to brainstorm on their own. I do wonder with this group of remedial math students if they would be able to constuct thier own understanding with out any guidance. But I do see them try to apply what they have learned from teachers and are unable to correctly use what has been taught to them. It is hard for experienced teachers to change the way they teach but as a new teacher I will help students construct thier own understanding so that they can benefit on thier own. My concern is, as I stated before that these students will not be able to construct the correct understanding. So am I hurting the students more than I am helping them?

Summary and Synthesis

During the past few days we have been discussing the teahing techniques of Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI). I enjoyed viewing the videos shown in class demonstrating this model of teaching. I agree with asking a question, and allowing students to discover a solution on their own, coming back as a whole group and having the students explain their rationale for their answer. Allowing students to use a variety of manipulatives for their discoveries is helpful. Peer teaching can be helpful for those students in need of additional practice. Many students are taught knowledge and never fully comprehend the why of the problem, manybe the teachers don't fully understand the why, Who knows. Understanding the CGI model and seeing it demonstrated will allow me to let my students to explore and demonstrate on their own.

Summary and Synthesis

In the past few class we have been working on CGI. It is a teaching strategy to helps students learn in a different way. I feel that this is a wonderful way to guide students' learning. I think that by teaching this way students will be more motivated in math class and also have a better attitude when it comes to math. However, I do think that when teaching math, a teacher must also used a instruction strategy at some point. There is such a variety of students in the classroom, and some learn best with CGI where others need more direction. Another reason why you can not just teach in a CGI approach is because the standardized test that are required do not allow students to use anything other than their fingers, so students can not rely on manipulatives. It think that it is important for students to have some CGI in the classroom though because it helps students to understand the WHY of math. When they have discovered this they can move in to the instructional understanding of math so that they can do well on the standardized tests.