Week 5 Math Reflection

©Breakey, D. 2015. Math Blocks 1.

©Breakey, D. 2015. Math Blocks 2.

©Breakey, D. 2015. Math Blocks 3.

In Week 5 of Math class we explored the unit on integers. Student presenters once again took turns teaching a specific focus of integers such as division, multiplication, square roots and perfect squares.  The presentation on square roots and perfect squares by my classmate Bennett specifically interested me. I thought he was an example of what a good presentation should look like. He was clear, concise and well informed on his topic. He understood how to use the tools he was incorporating into his presentation, such as the smart board, and he had an excellent activity for the class.

I took away some tips about what I would want to do in my presentation and feel that picking an engaging activity for the class is key to keeping their attention. His locker problem activity had us solve the problem of which lockers would remain open after following several steps (shown below). The first thing I liked about this problem is that it was relatable. Lockers are something students will use everyday and it is a visual they can have in their head and something they can understand manipulating. The second positive piece about this problem is the fact that you could play it out in real life. If you wanted to make this more active for your students you could have them act out the real problem on a real set of lockers. This would not only get the students up and interacting with their environment but it would also keep them involved in solving the math problem. 

The other very important thing I reflected on this week was the lack of technology we used. So much focus has been placed on bringing media into the classroom. As a teacher in the 21st century it is important I explore and use new tools and applications to engage my students. Exploring the great games in an example of how we are learning about math technology for future use. This week we didn't need to use technology to be engaged. In fact, shown in the pictures above, we used regular snap cubes to demonstrate square roots and perfect squares. Using a manipulative was a great way to explore the unit and help in solving some of the math problems we examined in class.

With all the focus on technology I think it is important to remember that manipulatives, and other physical resources, are just as useful and important as technology and mobile devices. Everything has its place and it is up to the teacher to create an engaging and creative lesson. Technology does not automatically equal better. The presentations this week proved that as they used very little technology but were very effective in teaching their respective units. 

Finally, we touched on lesson planning last week. Lesson plans will become a main focus throughout my teaching career. They are designed to ensure you have planned explicitly which areas of the curriculum you will focus on, how you will execute your activity or lesson and demonstrate how you will evaluate you students. I know I am going to need to gain experience creating strong lesson plans but I look forward to my placement where I know I will get to practice and prefect lesson planning.

©Breakey, D. 2015. Locker Activity.