BLOG #1 SUMMARY AND SYNTHESIS

BLOG #1 SUMMARY AND SYNTHESIS

Since the beginning of this course I have learned how important math is to students and how important it is to be a teacher that focuses on challenges that allow the students to expand their way of thinking. I for one am terrible and uncomfortable with math and hope that this course will allow me to become more familiar and comfortable with the subject so that I am can be a positive teacher in all subjects, especially math. The classes that we have had really have made me think more into math. I have had to think deeper into problems in this class than other math classes because before I could get assistance from the teacher but with this class Dr. Reins has really pushed for us to apply ourselves more and to put more effort into solving the problem without giving us the answers. I have learned that as a successful teacher you need to listen to your students and allow them all to explain how they may have come upon an answer so that everyone in the class has an open mind and can see different perspectives. You must also listen to your students and give them feedback without making them feel stupid or completely wrong about answering questions. I think it is great that we are allowed to work in groups with our peers, this for one allows me (who is completely uncomfortable with math) to listen to others ideas and to see how they solved the problems. This course really makes you open your mind, dig deeper, and apply yourself to every problem and every solution. I plan to take away ideas from this course and to apply them to my future teaching. I really think that George Polya’s steps to problem solving, the ten problem solving strategies, and the process of mathematical inquiry will all help me to apply myself more to math and help my future students. One thing that I am terrible about is giving the answers and not helping the child to find it themselves. I have this issue with my sixth grade daughter; I try to help her solve and end up solving myself and am unsure how I can change my habits? I think that having a chart like Dr. Reins said he had will help me in helping my future students to apply themselves more to the problems. I am hoping that after this class I am more comfortable with math and will teach it appropriately to my students.
Maria Love