Math Reflection: What I Learned in Math this Year

What did I learn in math class this year?

This year has been a year of many new discoveries, especially in math class. Here is a list of the things I have learned in math class this year:

The “Who” “What” “When” “Where” “Why” and “How” of Math Manipulatives

How to create and use math workstations

Strategies for implementing guided math

a. Math warm-ups

b. Whole-class instruction

c. Small-group instruction

The three-part math lesson

a. Minds-on

b. Action

c. Consolidation

Asking effective questions

A Balanced Mathematics Program

a. Mathematical Processes

i. Problem Solving

ii. Reasoning and Proving

iii. Reflection

iv. Selecting tools and computational strategies

v. Connecting

vi. Representing

vii. Communication

b. Lesson Types

i. Games

ii. Problem-solving tasks

iii. Inquiry activities

c. Groupings

i. Individual

ii. Pairs

iii. Small group

iv. Whole group

d. Assessment Strategies

i. Observation

ii. Conference

iii. Paper and pencil

e. A Variety of Instructional Approaches

This past year I also attended a Building Futures Workshop titled: Laying the Foundation for Effective Instruction in Mathematics, and in this workshop I learned some great tools/strategies to share with my students so they can be confident mathematicians.

When I have my own classroom I will apply what I learned in this workshop by sharing this information with my students – Being a Mathematician Means:

· Not having to be the best

· Learning from mistakes

· Willing to preserve

· Flexible thinking

· Open to new ideas

· Risk taking

· Collaboration

· Determination

In a video I watched during the workshop, one student stated, “The only time I don’t feel successful is when I don’t participate.” This quote really stood out to me and gave me that “push” to make sure my math lessons are engaging so that my students want to participate so they can be successful.

To conclude this blog post, here are some cool math ideas I found during Teachers College that I hope to use in the future!