When I was in elementary school, I absolutely LOVED math. I felt that it was something that I am good at, and my teachers seemed to think so as well. After I have taken some mathematics method courses in college, I have given the way I was taught a lot of thought. My teachers would teach an algorithm on the board, we would copy it and do several worksheets on it until we took a test. Sure, this worked for me, but what about my peers?
It wasn't until this past summer that I actually realized why we "carry" numbers when we subtract large numbers. I never thought about this because of the numbers' place value. I thought this was strange. I was excellent at math; could work every problem out, but never really knew why I was doing what I was doing.
This really makes me think about how I would want to teach math to my students. Sure, algorithms work for some students, but not all. I believe that using manipulatives can really help students see why we move certain numbers around like we do. Maybe even let them create their own algorithms.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Decorating the Classroom
How should teachers decorate their classrooms?
This is something that I have given a lot of thought to. I have seen various types of classrooms, some with neat teach work all over the walls and some with the students' work posted up to make it "their" classroom. Which one is more important? I've heard various theories.
Here is my theory. I am what you would call a "control freak". I like to have control over everything and I'm a firm believer in "if you want something done right, do it yourself". this is why I would find it hard to hand my classroom over to the students. However, I realize that as a teacher, I am an advocate for my students. My classroom isn't about me, it's about them. Therefore, if I want my classroom neat and organized the way I want it, I will do it with their work. It's a compromise. Sure, I think its important to have several encouraging posters up, but the rest needs to be the students work. I believe they will feel more comfortable with their own work displayed in their classroom; more "at home". It gives them an opportunity be proud of their work.
This is something that I have given a lot of thought to. I have seen various types of classrooms, some with neat teach work all over the walls and some with the students' work posted up to make it "their" classroom. Which one is more important? I've heard various theories.
Here is my theory. I am what you would call a "control freak". I like to have control over everything and I'm a firm believer in "if you want something done right, do it yourself". this is why I would find it hard to hand my classroom over to the students. However, I realize that as a teacher, I am an advocate for my students. My classroom isn't about me, it's about them. Therefore, if I want my classroom neat and organized the way I want it, I will do it with their work. It's a compromise. Sure, I think its important to have several encouraging posters up, but the rest needs to be the students work. I believe they will feel more comfortable with their own work displayed in their classroom; more "at home". It gives them an opportunity be proud of their work.
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