EDBE 8P29 - J/I Math

Hi fellow bloggers & mathematicians, While at placement this week I was given the opportunity to observe a diagnostic mathematics test. The test focused on problem-solving abilities and explanations of the processes. Each student was allotted the same amount of time and resources to use during the test. The test evaluated students' abilities to correctly respond to questions and explain their work with a reasonable explanation. This experience was interesting to observe, as students were not permitted to ask any questions. If a student was not sure how to complete a question, or explain their reasoning they would not be given assistance and began to get nervous. The process was stressful for the students and did not help set a growth mindset in the classroom, because if they were incorrect then there were no chances to build from their mistakes. One student asked me a question and began crying once I told them I could not answer or help in any way. Observing this situatio...

Hi fellow bloggers and mathematicians, Welcome back to my mathematics blog. Since my last posting, I have seen progress in my math teaching abilities. After doing my learning activity presentation, I understood what it may feel like when I am in a classroom with students who are nervous or unsure about their math skills. I feel more confident in the classroom now. From the beginning of the semester, I have noticed a major change in my mindset and have become more positive about the course. I believe a major factor in my growth mindset has been the forums that we complete each week. I enjoy the level of gamification these online sites can bring into our classrooms. Incorporating games into the classroom can keep students engaged and excited about learning. Engagement and excitement are important elements to involve in mathematics lessons because it encourages a growth mindset. As we have learned, ensuring students have a growth mindset when it comes to mathematics helps stu...

Hi fellow bloggers and mathematicians, Welcome back to my blog! I have continued to grow in my mathematics mindset throughout our past five weeks of the course. I have noticed a change in my understanding of how I will incorporate engaging and effective math into the classroom. I have also noticed how deeper thinking can influence students to grow in an individual sense. Ensuring our students are reflecting and connecting to the curriculum we are teaching is essential in developing a clear understanding of our need for mathematics. These past two weeks have shown me the importance of integrating different subject areas into our math curriculum. During our presentations this past week, we learned how to incorporate subjects such as art and music in mathematics lessons. During my activity presentation, I integrated the Art curriculum into a creative thinking decimal grid. From observing how my peers completed the activity, I noticed how engaged and interested in the activity became....

Hi fellow bloggers and mathematicians! I thought I would give an update about how my mathematics journey has been going so far. As this is the start of week 3, I believe I have overcome my beginning anxieties about the course. The growth mindset is something we have discussed in almost all of my courses, but I find that it resonates mostly through my personal experiences with mathematics. When I think about how felt when I would be asked to solve math problems in my elementary and secondary schooling, I used to be extremely discouraged. The growth mindset we discuss in class emphasizes the importance of believing in yourself and your own abilities. The following video from You-Cubed explains the importance of a growth mindset and believing in yourself. As discussed in class, students can feel stuck when they do not understand how to work with a problem-solving question. Students need to be able to critically think about what they want from each problem they are solving. Chapte...

Hi! My name is Noelle and welcome to my first blog post! Before I begin I want to introduce myself with a couple of fun facts all about me... 1) I was born and raised in Vaughan, ON, just outside of Toronto 2) I have 4 siblings 3) I have a pizza oven in my backyard 4) I love naps 5) I have a teachable in Visual Arts, with a focus on photography My blog is going to be focused around the information that I gain throughout my EDBE 8P29 Mathematics course. As I have done barely any math since I was in high school, I am both anxious and excited to reintroduce myself to the world of mathematics. However, I am going into this course with an open mind, similarly to how I expect my students to be entering their math units when I start teaching. Exemplifying and encouraging a growth mindset will allow my students to see the importance of believing in their own abilities, understanding their strengths and improving upon weaknesses. From viewing some other blog posts I ...