Summary and Synthesis

After only attending a few weeks of class I have to realize that I really need to step back and look at how I view mathematics. When I was taught math it was always copy the definitions from the book, do practice problems in class, assign homework problems, do the homework problems, and correct them in class the next day to get a grade. Due to the way I was taught math I have become very uneasy about teaching and knowing how to properly teach math because I do not want to make my class suffer from a regular math schedule such as I did for many years. Since I opened our textbook and started reading I have found some great ways to look at math and how to integrate it into other areas in school. I have learned that teaching problem solving in mathematical activities and only telling the students what is necessary to understand the problem and allow them to mull the situation is truly a great way to help them grow in knowledge. I have grow so use to always getting the correct answer to a math problem that I will have to say it has taken a class or two to understand that always being given the right answer as soon as class starts is not a very productive way of accessing the students high level of thinking. I am now able to start to understand the way of Reins teaching and making us mull the problem and then discuss it out loud.