Summary & Synthesis

During the last month we have been talking about fraction concepts, which is definitely not my favorite subject but I feel I have learned a lot through the class activities. I think many children don't like dealing with fractions because of the way they were taught and they don't have the relational understanding as to why it must be done the way it is. This class has shown me a variety of ways to learn and understand fractions, yet our schools are all teaching in the same manner, it doesn't make much sense to me. I really liked using the pattern blocks and cuisenaire rods to complete those worksheets because I could see how the problems made sense instead of just completing the problem in the way I was taught. I think many students enjoy working with manipulatives but teachers need to ensure that that is not the only way students can solve problems, they need to reach the symbolic stage of working. I was a little confused when using the dot paper to solve fraction problems but I can see how it may be beneficial for some students.
I really like the blue CGI book that we are reading because although I have used these types of problems and can teach it, I didn't realize that each strategy has a name. The error patterns book that we did some problems out of was also really neat and gives some great ideas for helping struggling students. It seems like the past month we have been doing a lot more hands-on activities that could easily be used in the classroom and I feel like I get a better understanding of the concepts by doing these activities.