Week 1 Reflection

Welcome everyone to the first round of blogging for Year 2 of Math!

The first week of math we focused a lot about attitudes towards math, math myths, brain growth and the stereotypes around math. I really enjoyed covering these areas because it can greatly help set the stage for the beginning of math for students and for teachers. Through the many videos we explored throughout this module, I was able to explore and reflect on my own feelings about math and help prepare myself to think about how I want to approach teaching math in my own classroom.

            The section of the module that I enjoyed the most was the Brain Growth video . I really enjoyed what Jo Boaler said that there is no such person as a math person. There has been a huge myth surrounding this statement that prevents students from trying math and being good at it before they even start. Everyone has the ability to learn and excel at math and every student needs to know this before they give up because they deem themselves as not a ‘math person’. One thing that I want to incorporate into my classroom is the acceptance and welcoming of making mistakes. Jo explains that our brains grow and change and when we make mistakes we learn the most. When we make mistakes we can ask more questions and inquire, we learn more. All kids have the ability to learn math and there is a way for teachers to make that happen which I strive to accomplish.

            The YouTube video ‘Ever Wonder What They’d Notice’  is a great resource for opening teachers eyes for how to allow students to know that they get and understand math. I really enjoyed the concept of asking the students what they notice and wonder about a question or problem. Allowing the students to share what they know instead of pointing out what they don’t know is very beneficial to the students confidence and self esteem. Letting kids know that they have ideas in math that are valuable and useful help encourage the students to try and practice which allows them to learn. Once students get into the habit of what they know and wonder, they will able to become good problem solvers, being able to notice things quickly and automatically, and then applying their ideas to the problem they are working on.

Growth Mindset [Being positive about math]. (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2018, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Growth-Mindset-for-Mathematicians-Poster-3290358?gclid=Cj0KCQjww8jcBRDZARIsAJGCSGsg7EOAiI5Q5dI3GjCHwflE9DXAN5uQZessbwuqQNjIjRnnCJZV5t4aAp-3EALw_wcB

            Students can become easily frustrated when they cannot come up with the right answer. There is a strong dislike for math due to the fact that there is limited room for error. By allowing students to first just observe the problem or scenario, talk it out and work through the problem without necessarily coming to a correct answer, students may feel more accomplished and create a better mindset about the subject. If all anyone is concerned about is finding the right answer, then those students who did not do this will just continuously feel shut down and give up. 

     As a future teacher, it is my job to make math enjoyable and the suggestions and resources that were given from this week are great starter points with getting the right mindset about math.