During my class in Curriculum, Methods, and Assessments: Science and Math, I have had the opportunity to observe two different mathematic teachers. Through those observations I have gained great knowledge and understanding. I was exposed to different teaching, learning styles and techniques. Being able to observe a few different classrooms has given me an opportunity to witness different aspects of teaching. Through all of my observations during college of teachers I am confident that teaching is what I want to do with the rest of my life. I will touch on a few topics from my observation throughout my paper such as, the objective of the lesson, types of methods the teachers used, differentiation instruction, ways the teachers assess learning in the classroom and changes that I could make to the lesson.
For my observations at Metzger Middle School, I had the opportunity to observe Ms. Williams and Ms. James sixth grade Mathematics classrooms. During Ms. Williams first period she had a Co-Teacher to assist her students that were ESLs (1 student) and IEP/504 (5 students). A student that was in a wheelchair was also amongst the students; accommodations were made for this student, for example; the co-teacher had the student that was sitting in the first chair by the door move back a desk so that the student could put his chair up the desk. Some of the methods that the teacher provided were mathematical reference sheets and formula charts to help them when answering
Whether you believe learning styles are a myth or fact they still can help you learn the material for class. Just because you take this test online and it says that you are one hundred percent auditory learner doesn’t mean you can’t learn other ways. Learning styles can help you discover more creative ways for you to remember a topic or specific details. How Amy made a poster it helped her present her topic but also helped her learn and remember her topic. By writing it down and being creative you will remember the topic a lot better. I’m not a firm believer in learning styles but I do think that they can help. I am an auditory learner so listening helps me learn although it isn’t the only way I can learn. One of the ken talks we had watched
A learning style is a particular way in which the mind receives and processes information. There are four types of Learning Styles: Visual (Sight), Auditory (Talk), Tactile (Hands-on),, and . I am an auditory learner which means I'm a talker. My weak learning style is
For my Field Experience I chose to observe at Krahn Elementary which is a part of Klein Independent School District. After my approval, I was assigned to four teachers and their classrooms. I observed at Krahn Elementary on six Tuesdays between 15 September 2015 and 27 October 2015, and more or less followed the schedule that was given to me by the Assistant Principal Ms. Shannon Strole. From 8:30 am to 9:15 am I observed Ms. Judy Burkes, who is a third grade Math and Science teacher. Her classroom is comprised of twenty students which range from average to below average learners and a student with ADHD and another with autism. For most part of my observation, M. Burkes had been working with her students on fractions and multiple digits addition and subtraction. From 9:15 am to 10:30 am I observed Ms. Lisa Parker who is a Math co-teacher and resource teacher at Krahn Elementary for grades K-5. During my assigned time, Ms. Parker usually joined Mr. Duru’s fifth grade class of twenty three students as a co-teacher and when required would pull out a group of six students after initial instructions from Mr. Duru and would teach them the concepts separately at a slower pace. This particular group of students with special needs was mostly seen to be focusing more and more on mathematical word problems. These students were students with Learning disabilities, behavioral issues and one of them was a student with ADHD. From 10:30 am to 11:15, I was with Ms. Janice Bluhms, who is a
Dacey, L., & Gartland, K. (2009). Math for All: Differentiating instruction, grades 6-8. (J. Cross, Ed.) Sausalito, California, USA: Math Solutions.
Essential aspects that underpin the professional and dedicated educator include the revising of knowledge and experience, reflection, and an effort in understanding their students. Within mathematics, these skills are informed by the curriculum chosen, the students involved, and the pedagogy that is selected, that create the professional judgement cycle (as seen in Appendix One) (Department of Education and Training Western Australia [DETWA], 2013a). The more teachers understand about their students, the more they can adapt the learning environment to cater for these different learning approaches (Burns, 2010).
The research in this paper is to discuss strategies used to teach students with severe disabilities in mathematics. “According to the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, (AAIDD) Intellectual disability is characterized by significant limitations both in intellectual functioning and in adaptive behavior as expressed in conceptual, social, and practical adaptive skills. The diagnoses of the disability should come before the age of 18 (Westling, Fox, & Carter, 2015).” Mathematics is a core subject area that can pose a challenge for a large amount of students in America, and especially those with severe disabilities. “According to a study, only a quarter of students with disabilities that
The Case of Randy Harris describes the lesson of a middle school mathematics teacher, and how he uses diagrams, questions, and other methods to guide his students to a better understanding. Throughout his case study, Harris’ methods could be easily compared to that of the Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices. There are eight mathematical teaching practices that support student learning, most of which are performed throughout Randy Harris’ lesson. Harris didn’t perform each teaching practice perfectly, despite doing the majority of them throughout his lessons. The following are examples of how Randy Harris implemented the eight mathematical teaching practices into his lesson, and how the ones that were neglected should have been
When educating students, it is essential to their growth, that teachers have the ability to learn and grow with their students. Every child learns, thinks, and comprehends differently; therefore, the same material should be taught in multiple ways. For example, in my Math 106 class, all students solve the same problem, the teacher then has a few students explain and depict the different ways they received the correct answer. When a student has a difficult time explaining their method, Mrs. Graybeal provides encouragement and guidance; thus. Also, students who are having a difficult time solving the problem used one of the methods provided by a peer to help them comprehend and solve the problem. Math 106 teaches future educators the
What is the most effective way to teach? Can students really learn and fully understand the material teachers convey to them on a day to day basis? According to a middle school mathematics teacher, his methods of teaching the traditional way was not as effective and producing a long-term impact as he would have liked. The article "Never Say Anything a Kid Can Say!" enriches us to the possibility of applying slight gradual modifications to our teaching methods and how we could find ways to utilize that information in the search for more effective teaching methods to encourage students to explain their thinking and become more deeply involved in the classroom discussions, thus developing their questioning skills (Reinhart, 2000). After
Through the numerous adversities that affect the population of teachers throughout the country, one of the most thankless tasks is the ability to teach those students who have special needs. The subject of math, which is one of the top priorities in education today, within itself, can be quite difficult for those who have no intellectual or learning disabilities. Researching and the analysis of the effectiveness of tools which are readily available, is vital in breaking through to those students who require special attention. Teachers will seek new and innovative methods, as well as strengthen their requirements and skills to adequately perform their job.
Education benefits individual mentally, emotionally and physically by placing them in better place than they were previously before. Everybody would agree that learning something new would take place throughout the life. Learning style defined as "A term that describes the variations among learners in using one or more senses to understand, organize, and retain experience" (Reid, 1987, p. 89). Furthermore, Felder and Henriques (1995, p. 21) explained learning styles as "the ways in which an individual characteristically acquires, retains and retrieves information". However, different learners possess different characteristics and different preferred learning styles to perceive, process, take in and understand information.
VARK Learning Styles refer to a learning theory that differentiates individuals into learning groups. This theory became well known in the 1970s. It is used in identifying individual students learning capabilities. Each learning styles depends on cognitive, emotional, environmental factors and previous experience. Educators use the different learning style in classroom activities, curriculum, and assessments. The acronym for VARK stands for the following learning style: visual, auditory, reading/writing, and kinesthetic/tactile. Each variable represents a distinctive preferred way of learning for an individual. Visual learners prefer the use of images, maps, and graphic organizers to access and understand new information. Auditory learners use listening, speaking such as lectures and class discussions to process data. On the other hand, some students favor the reading and writing method utilizing note taking and translating concepts. Finally, the kinesthetic or tactile style of learning depends on hands-on and the use of qualities such as gestures, body movements, and positioning in learning (Peyman et al., 2014).
No teachers are similar as well as no students learn in the same way. Every teacher has their own unique teaching style which is based on their educational philosophy, their classroom’s demographic, what subject area they teach, and the school’s mission statement. Up until now, teachers are looking for a system that will engage students in the educational process and will develop the students’ critical thinking skills. Moreover, teachers want the classroom to be in order and in control, but they also want their students to appreciate the learning procedure. These teaching styles can be divided into two approaches – the teacher-centered and learner-centered.
Many educators will argue what makes an effective teacher and how that correlates with the function of the classroom. When we talked about how to be an effective teacher we discussed three components, teaching through problem-solving and selecting appropriate tasks, creating appropriate environments and using appropriate interventions. In my field experience, I was able to observe these three effective mathematics teaching components and understand how they apply to the classroom. After leaning about these components, I was then able to use them in my personal experience and see how they
There are three main learning styles which are Visual, Auditory and Kinaesthetic. The three of these are different ways of how you prefer to learn, and how you consume information efficiently.