Thursday, September 30, 2010
Refection of Math Module
This math module was very, very interesting, I really looked forward for the lectures because each day there was a new experiences, new ideas, new strategies, new theories, new games. Dr Yeap drove the math "Learning vechicle" to the maxium speed into my mind within the given hours of time. Dr Yeap, Excellent job, you have refreshed my mind and my thoughts about mathematics, after secondary school education I have not touched my mathematics, but your lessons refreshed. Jerome Bruner's theory which I cannot forget CPA Approach, concrete, pictorial and abstract and also spiral curriculum with discrete quantities and continuos quantities. The math games were also very interesting which can be introduced to K2 children for example dice games which I feel is very good activity for the children to learn addition and subtraction in a fun way. Overall I enjoyed this module and also it has enhanced my mathematical knowledge. Thank you Dr Yeap for your interesting lectures.
Geometry
As usual the geometry class was also very interesting, Dr Yeap encourage the student's learning by having quiz,which allows the students to think and participate actively. It was interesting to know that many students in the class came out with thier own strategy to find the total angle of a pentagon.
Van Hiele theory and the developmental perspective in the text book highlight the necessity of teaching at the child's level of thought, however any activity can be modified to span two levels of thinking, even within the classroom. He states that activities in geometry at instruction level 0 should involve lots of sorting and classyfying, they see how shapes are alike and differnt. As students learn more content, the relationships will become more sophisticated.
Van Hiele theory and the developmental perspective in the text book highlight the necessity of teaching at the child's level of thought, however any activity can be modified to span two levels of thinking, even within the classroom. He states that activities in geometry at instruction level 0 should involve lots of sorting and classyfying, they see how shapes are alike and differnt. As students learn more content, the relationships will become more sophisticated.
Using Technology to Teach Mathematics
When I read the title "Using technology" I thought it must be computers, but it never striked to me that calculators also belong to technology. When I read the benefits of using calculators, it was really an eye opener for me, I did'nt know that using calculators can enhance conceptual understanding, strategic competence, and disposition towards mathematics. It is well explained how calculators can be used in preschool education for example given to a child, he or she can count their classmates as they enter in the morning, and also it helps them to count by ones, pressing the keys 0+1= by doing so it enhances children's oral counting, and identification of patterns. Nowadays children are very fortunate to use and manipulate technology at early years, for example computers, X box, video games, Iphone, whereas I remember using calculators only in secondary school.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Reflection chapter 1 &2
I strongly agree to the six principles and the five content standards the author has explained in the first chapter. Teachers play an important role in a child's learning, whereby if the teacher teaches the mathematical concepts in a fun and intersting way I think it will attract the interest of the children towards mathematics. I also agree that we need to help children to make connections and link ideas that lead to mathematical concepts
One of the principle that caught my interest and which I strongly agreed to is, The Learning Principle "Students learn mathematics with understanding, actively building new knowledge from experience and prior knowledge" (NCTM,2000,p.20)
My mother was my first math teacher when I was young, she will send me to shop to get some vegetables all written in a piece of paper, she will give the money I need to write beside her vegetable list the price and add the total, give the shop keeper the money and need to check the exact balance amount. Every time my mother sends me to the shop she will give me tips of 2 dollars which I used to save in the piggy bank and once its full count the total amount saved. Therefore I learnt the mathematical concepts of addition, subtraction and problem solving skills.
During my schooling time I had teachers who are very strict and firm and in those years in 1970's, teachers were not friendly and they were very rigid just need to follow the way they teach, need to memorise the formulas, teaching was abstract. Therefore I learnt mathematics with fear. Vast changes have taken place in the educational system at present. Children are given so much freedom and choices, teachers are very friendly and are willing to help the children. Lessons are taught with interesting activities, that help children to expand thier knowledge.
As a preschool teacher I will make sure that children understand the rationale behind the mathematical concept with fun filled activities. I also agree to the author about the importance of creating the environment for young children to learn. The teacher plays an important role in setting up the environment inorder to facilitate children, so that the children feel empowered to come up with thier own approach rather than depending on the teacher to offer an approach.
One of the principle that caught my interest and which I strongly agreed to is, The Learning Principle "Students learn mathematics with understanding, actively building new knowledge from experience and prior knowledge" (NCTM,2000,p.20)
My mother was my first math teacher when I was young, she will send me to shop to get some vegetables all written in a piece of paper, she will give the money I need to write beside her vegetable list the price and add the total, give the shop keeper the money and need to check the exact balance amount. Every time my mother sends me to the shop she will give me tips of 2 dollars which I used to save in the piggy bank and once its full count the total amount saved. Therefore I learnt the mathematical concepts of addition, subtraction and problem solving skills.
During my schooling time I had teachers who are very strict and firm and in those years in 1970's, teachers were not friendly and they were very rigid just need to follow the way they teach, need to memorise the formulas, teaching was abstract. Therefore I learnt mathematics with fear. Vast changes have taken place in the educational system at present. Children are given so much freedom and choices, teachers are very friendly and are willing to help the children. Lessons are taught with interesting activities, that help children to expand thier knowledge.
As a preschool teacher I will make sure that children understand the rationale behind the mathematical concept with fun filled activities. I also agree to the author about the importance of creating the environment for young children to learn. The teacher plays an important role in setting up the environment inorder to facilitate children, so that the children feel empowered to come up with thier own approach rather than depending on the teacher to offer an approach.
Seqencing
Sequencing
I will introduce the number 34 as shown by Dr Yeap using bundles of stiicks , 3 bundles with 10 sticks in each bundle and 4 ones, the children can count them and as they count they visualise the representation of how many tens and ones are there. Let them to explore the concept. Then will explain to them that 30 is 3 tens and 4 is 4 ones. then will introduce the place value chart. Then will explain that 30 and 4 expanded notation and then will explain that 30 and 4 together is 34 and lastly the number word.
Therefore my sequence will be:
1. 3tens and 4 ones - the numbers in tens and ones
2. 3tens and 4 ones in chart - using place value
3. 30 and 4 - expanded notation
4. 34 - numerals
5. thirty-four - number words
I will introduce the number 34 as shown by Dr Yeap using bundles of stiicks , 3 bundles with 10 sticks in each bundle and 4 ones, the children can count them and as they count they visualise the representation of how many tens and ones are there. Let them to explore the concept. Then will explain to them that 30 is 3 tens and 4 is 4 ones. then will introduce the place value chart. Then will explain that 30 and 4 expanded notation and then will explain that 30 and 4 together is 34 and lastly the number word.
Therefore my sequence will be:
1. 3tens and 4 ones - the numbers in tens and ones
2. 3tens and 4 ones in chart - using place value
3. 30 and 4 - expanded notation
4. 34 - numerals
5. thirty-four - number words
Group Work
Group Work
My group decided to go to the nearest MRT station and we planned an activity for K2 Children. We brainstorm and decided to come out with a concept web and the objectives. One of the concept is MRT fares, which involves money and the distance travelled which is linked to the problematic or engaging aspect. Children by using thier prior knowledge are given a certain amount of money to purchase a fare card and they are able to see that the fare increase when the distance increase, they will be able to calculae the fares, the distance and also will know the sequence of the names of the places.By this activity children will have a sense of mathimatics involved and therefore develop an understanding of those ideas.
My group decided to go to the nearest MRT station and we planned an activity for K2 Children. We brainstorm and decided to come out with a concept web and the objectives. One of the concept is MRT fares, which involves money and the distance travelled which is linked to the problematic or engaging aspect. Children by using thier prior knowledge are given a certain amount of money to purchase a fare card and they are able to see that the fare increase when the distance increase, they will be able to calculae the fares, the distance and also will know the sequence of the names of the places.By this activity children will have a sense of mathimatics involved and therefore develop an understanding of those ideas.
Reflection
Reflection about lesson 1
Lesson was very interesting as I have learnt new games which have mathematical skills for example the dice game, it's objective is to teach children simple addition with singe digit, involves thinking skill, to guess and check thier answer, logical thinking and metacognition. Even a simple game using paper clips has an objective that children will be able to win when the partner is left with a multiple of 3.
Lesson was very interesting as I have learnt new games which have mathematical skills for example the dice game, it's objective is to teach children simple addition with singe digit, involves thinking skill, to guess and check thier answer, logical thinking and metacognition. Even a simple game using paper clips has an objective that children will be able to win when the partner is left with a multiple of 3.
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