Blog 3

Summary and Synthesis

Since the previous blog and even throughout this entire course, I believe that I have learned a lot of valuable information. I also feel that I will be able to take what I am learning to help me to be a better math educator. I feel that I have seen approaches that I would have never been aware of without this class. The day that sticks out the most to me is the day that we watched the videos on Cognitively Guided Instruction. I used to view math to be so constructed and there is only specific ways to solving a problem. I loved how each of the videos showed how the students came up with their own solutions to problems. By allowing for students to solve problems in their own way gives them the opportunity to open their minds and use their own steps in solving. I also like how they showed the way they got to their answers. Everything was very visual and hands on and it also can help other students who are struggling so that maybe they can see a way that another student did something and they too will understand in that way. After seeing and learning about CGI I know that I will definitely be using it in my classroom and I know now how much it allows for children to grow in the understanding of mathematics.

Blog 3

I'm really glad that we're moving to talking about diverse learners, because like what was mentioned in class, our lesson plans have had "phony" modifications. We simply just make them up, and don't even know for sure whether it would actually work for a student in this situation. Even if we did find a modification for a child with a specific learning disability, it doesn't necessarily work for another child who might have the exact same disability. I'm really glad that between these two math classes we don't have to write a lot of lessons, we just develop a deeper understanding about how to do so. I really think that it is important to develop this way of thinking, because then we automatically start to think about these concepts on a deeper level.
I also think it's important to realize how we learn, visually, with manipulative, or whatever it may be, and also acknowledge all the other learning styles as well. This way, when we are formulating the concepts into lesson, and thinking about how we are teaching, we look at how everyone learns in the classroom, and not just a specific group.
When I reflect on this class, I realize how my thinking about mathematical concepts has changed, and I wonder why I never thought this way before. Why didn't my elementary teachers teach me this way? It makes more sense, and there is better understanding when kids learn this way. I really have a positive outlook on math, and if I were offered a job teaching math, I honestly would not hesitate to take it.