Questions and Answers

I am going to admit that sometimes this class scares me. I never know what to expect and I'm the type of person who likes to be prepared. Does anyone else feel this way? I sometimes feel like the material we cover is going way over my head and then sometimes I feel like I GET IT (which is exciting because that doesn't happen often for me in math).

I have a lot of questions about how using the constructivist approach to teaching math would work in a classroom. Wouldn't all teachers have to use this approach and implement it K-12? What happens when a student has been taught traditionally using the rote approach and then is thrown into a completely different learning environment? Won't it take time and effort out of learning time to get students to adjust? My little brother (1st grader) transferred to Austin Elementary half way through the school year last year. The way math was being taught at Austin was entirely through problem solving. He had never experienced this before and I remember my Mom finding the whole process pointless. My little brother struggled with this transition. This brings me back to one of my prior questions. What happens when students move from a constructivist approach to traditional and vice versa?

Look at me. I have never really learned in this matter. I agree with Lauren when she was talking about just wanting answer or a formula. I think when we are so used to things being "concrete" and without explanation it is truly hard to step outside and see the big picture. Math has always been a struggle for me. I am terrified of messing some student up because of my lack of math knowledge. The other day I was reading either chapter 20 or 21 and I realized I didn't know that you are supposed to count the spaces in between marks on a ruler not the actual marks. How I am supposed to teach students the right way when obviously don't know the right way?

I guess it is good that I am questioning my level of knowledge because it makes me aware of my short falls and where I can improve. I think that will make me a better teacher because I will be forced to keep learning more and more. Perhaps that is the problem with some teachers. Some are so sure of their own knowledge and are never willing to question themselves to grow as educator. I don't think a person can ever know all the answers and once that person thinks they have all the answers they should stop teaching.

Sorry this kind of went all over the place!