Preview

Math 213 Reflective Paper

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
836 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Math 213 Reflective Paper
Reflective Paper - Math 213 Math 213 is a class packed full of information valuable to the development of a professional math teacher. There were several major mathematical concepts addressed in the class ranging from problem solving, numeration systems and sets, whole numbers and their operations, to algebraic thinking, integers and number theory, rational numbers as fractions, decimals and real numbers, and proportional reasoning, percents, and applications. This class enhanced my understanding of math in general, as well as enabled me to explore strategies on how to best present mathematical concepts in an elementary classroom setting.

Since children learn differently than adults do, and do not have prior knowledge to draw meaning from, an important characteristic of a professional math teacher is to have the ability to create a classroom environment where students are encouraged to take risks and explore problems while learning problem solving strategies. According to the class textbook, A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers, “If problems are approached in only one way, a mind-set may be formed.” (Billstein, R., Libeskind, S., & Lott, J., 2010) Teachers need to give students a tool box of strategies, such as, look for a pattern, examine a related problem, identify a subgoal, make a diagram, or work backwards.

While developing student’s problem solving skills, professional math teachers must begin to teach students to understand the meanings of whole numbers. This step will serve as scaffolding for students as they encounter more advanced concepts. Teachers should encourage the use of manipulatives, such as base-ten blocks, as they will help students relate whole numbers to something real. Teachers can also use Venn diagrams as they allow students to graphically organize material, which aids in the development of their analytical skills and teaches them to draw conclusions based on specific criteria.



References: Billstein, R., Lineskind, S. and Lott, J. (2010). A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The aims and importance of learning provision for numeracy development are to ensure all students understand that maths is a vital part of everyday life and will continue to be used throughout their life. Primary schools will teach students to learn various methods and techniques to be able to reach the correct answer. The end goal means more students will be able to solve a mathematical problem, independently, using a method that suits them. They can then develop their learning to improve their knowledge and apply it to real life situations; such as counting in groups of numbers such as 5’s or 10’s, which in turn can be applied when paying for shopping with money. As students progress they can build on these skills, by recording the levels of achievement, they can be supported to help fully access the curriculum.…

    • 762 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    It is crucial to develop in children the ability to tackle problems with initiative and confidence…mathematics has changed from careful rehearsal of standard procedures to a focus on mathematical thinking and communication to prepare them for the world of tomorrow (Anghileri, 2006, p.2).…

    • 1585 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Developing mathematical thinking from an early age is extremely important in establishing students understanding of number concepts. Clements (2001, p271) concludes that children “are self-motivated to investigate patterns, shapes, measurement, the meaning of numbers, and how numbers work, but they need assistance to bring these ideas to an explicit level of awareness.” Children learn mathematical ways of thinking, such as counting, subitising and patterning from a young age. The absence of mathematical understanding and ways of thinking, restricts children from grasping the concepts and processes they are learning. Booker et al. (2010) says children who lack early mathematical thinking are unable to link ideas and instead are provided with the skills of obtaining answers in unrelated ways. Developing mathematical thinking from a young age provides a meaningful basis for children to make connections between the full range of mathematical concepts (Booker et al., 2010).…

    • 593 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    This course is the first of a two-part series designed for k-8 pre-service teachers to address the conceptual framework for mathematics taught in elementary school. The focus of this course was on real numbers properties, patterns, operations and algebraic reasoning, and problem solving. The relationship of the course concepts to the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards for k-8 instruction was also addressed.…

    • 661 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    For this assignment I will describe two theories of mathematical development. I will discuss Jean Piaget’s and Tina Bruce’s theories about how children’s understandings of mathematical develop.…

    • 959 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    On Wednesday, April 7, 2010, I was blessed with the opportunity to sit in on a Mathematical class at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Riviera Beach, Florida. This was an opportunity to observe the function of a core class at the school that I teach and Substitute for. The teacher’s name was Mrs. Minor-Walker, which is one of our 7th grade teachers. When I walked into the classroom, I shook her hand and informed her of what I was intending on doing today. She was more than glad to assist with my assignment. These students were seventh grade students. This was an intermediate class, in which most of these children have encountered some sorts of issues with comprehending Mathematics prior to this year. Due to the…

    • 916 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    math lessons

    • 1538 Words
    • 7 Pages

    In the following essay there will be four lesson plans discussed from four different websites. All of the lessons concentrate on the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards for Number Sense and Operations. The four lessons will be analyzed using the following criteria; the NCTM Standards, the use of differentiated instruction and the use of manipulative. The four lessons that will be looked into focus on addition, subtraction, fraction and number values.…

    • 1538 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Marilyn Burns, the author of the article "Nine Ways to Catch Kids Up" realizes that a handful of students are at risk in each classroom. Burns came into this realization after talking with a student named Paul about multiplication. She discusses three issues that are essential to teaching mathematics. This includes helping students make the connections among mathematical ideas, to build the new information on the student's previous learning foundation, and to accompany correct answers with an explanation.…

    • 506 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Mth/157 Final Paper

    • 1933 Words
    • 8 Pages

    | Read Ch. 14 of A Problem Solving Approach to Mathematics for Elementary School Teachers.…

    • 1933 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In this Mathematics for Elementary Educators I course, it teaches me many concepts that a professional mathematics teacher should possess while teaching elementary students. The concepts has influences my own ideas and philosophy of teaching. In this reflection paper, I will also summarize the major mathematical concepts, explaining how the learning concepts are relevant to the characteristics of a professional mathematics teacher.…

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Cooper, Harris. "Homework: What the Research Says Brief." National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. NCTM.org. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://www.nctm.org/news/content.aspx?id=13814>.…

    • 1059 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    For lesson one, The learning objective is when given a two digit addition sentence, students will be able to find the sum within 20 using circles as a visual representation with 80% accuracy. The planned supports to address the learning goal are pictures for visual representation, vocabulary/ word wall to assist with the mathematical academic language, and model and show for visual understanding. The teacher used concrete materials as a plan support to represent a mathematical equation. The student was given manipulatives (counters) to represent the mathematical equation. In addition, concrete materials grants tactile learners the opportunity to interact with the lesson and eventually master the skills and strategies taught…

    • 477 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The importance of understanding student’s mathematical thinking and building upon the knowledge that students possess is keenly highlighted in the work regarding student’s reasoning with integers. What advice would you give if someone is in interested in exploring the thinking of students on the secondary level?…

    • 100 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    This article speaks about the importance and significance of the use of manipulatives in the classroom, specifically in the subject of math. Manipulatives have proven to be valuable when used in a math class and are even more valuable to the children when they are young, and are learning new math concepts. Students are able to physically visualize the math concepts and gain knowledge because they understand what they’re learning a whole lot better and they also are able to gain insights on those concepts. Different examples of manipulatives may include counting with beans or M&M’s, using pattern blocks, puzzles,…

    • 350 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Schoenfeld, A. (1992). Learning to think mathematically: problem solving, metacognition, and sense making in mathematics. In D. A. Grows (Ed.). Handbook of research on mathematics teaching and learning, (pp. 334-370). New York: Macmillan.…

    • 518 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays