Over the last month and a half, I have really started to consider how I am going to incorporate what i am learning in this class to my future classroom. Prior to taking this class, I didn't really have any anxiety about teaching math because it is a subject I have always loved and understood very well. I am now questioning how well I understand math. As the instructor continues to ask us questions, I continue to question how I am going to take the necessary steps to make sure that I incorporate this way of teaching into my classroom. As the instructor talks, the first question that comes to my mind is how am I going to have time to incorporate this way of teaching into my classroom? I am beginning to understand why I must teach this way, but with the pressures of teaching the material students need to know to perform well on standardized tests, how can I justify to everyone the need for teaching students so that they fully understand the material? I understand, but parents and administrators that have not had the opportunity to take this class may not agree with or understand my reasoning. This presents me with a huge problem. Working with parents can be extremely intimidating, so I feel it is very important that I do the research to make sure that I am prepared to answer all the questions that parents may ask me. I also feel that in order to be an effective teacher, I will need to put the time and effort into making sure that I know this material and can effectively help all my students to learn and understand the material.
As a future educator, I know the importance of making proper lesson plans and doing my "homework" to make sure that I understand the material I am going to expect my students to learn. My first few years of teaching this way may be very difficult, but by knowing that my students deserve to understand this material, I will strive to teach this material effectively, even if not every person understands why I just can't teach formulas to my students without them fully understanding what that formula represents. This method may take a little longer than just writing a formula on the board and giving students a worksheet with twenty questions on it that use that formula, but my students will greatly benefit from actually understanding each formula and why they use it to figure a specific thing out.
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Mindy, I agree with you that the first few years of teaching this way might be difficult. I think that it will take time to change my way of reacting to students whene they ask questions. I have always given the answer when asked and now will have to pull back and help the students solve the problems by using questions that will guide them.
ReplyDeleteI am also concerned about covering all the material that I am required to teach in a school year. I think that it will take some time to get comfortable with teaching the way we are learning about. In every math class I have taken, I was given a formula and taught how to use it. I find it difficult not to do this and to have students explore and find their own ways. However, students will have a better understanding if they find their own solutions and are not just told what to do.
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