Wednesday, September 29, 2010

I have 2 cookies for my particiapation in class.... ^-^

Geometry

When we were doing the activity on geometry, I was confuse and feeling lost. I could not understand how the answers were derived so I started to ask my classmate who was sitting next to me. When she explained to me and draw out the figure then I start to visualise what people could visualised. After the lesson, I felt that it is important for children to have the visualization ability to 'see things hidden' in a picture.
The textbook mentioned that "Spatial sense includes the ability to mentally visualize objects and spatial relationships-to turn things around in your mind." (Walle, Karp & Bay-Williams, 2009, p.400). Therefore, it is important to provide children with ample opportunity to explore with shape and spatial relationship so that children can develop spatial sense over time.

Pierce Van Hiele Theory has five levels that describes how we think and what types of geometric ideas we think about. The levels are as follows:

1. Level 0 - Visualization
2. Level 1 - Analysis
3. Level 2 - Informal Deduction
4. Level 3 - Deduction
5. Level 5 - Rigor

During lecture in class, it was mentioned that most of the children are between level 0. However, there are children who are at level 1 too. Based on Piaget, constructivism theory, knowledge will be constructed when the learner himself connects it with his experience. The learner need to reflect on the information learnt and communicate it by collaborating. At the end of the lesson, I had a better understanding on the rules and guidelines of geometry and the relationship. I was able to make connection with what I have learnt in primary school as well. 

The four content goals for geometry are shapes and properties, transformation, location and visualization. I found visualization a challenging task if there is insufficient spatial sense.

References
   Van de Walle, J. (2009). Elementary and middle school mathematics: Teaching developmentally (7th ed.). New York: Longman 

Reflect on Practice - Number Sense

Number sense develops gradually as children are given the opportunity to explore numbers, visualizing them in a different contexts and relating them in different ways.

As mentioned in the textbook, "children come to school with many ideas about number. These ideas should be built upon as we work with children and help them develop new relationships." (Walle, Karp & Bay-Williams, 2009, p.125). 

Teachers are encouraged to use the following recommendations to enhance children's learning in mathematics:
  • Enhance children's natural interest in mathematics and their disposition to use it to make sense o their physical and social worlds
  • Build on children's experience and knowledge
  • Base mathematics curriculum and teaching practices on children's cognitive, linguistics, physical, and social-emotional development
  • Use curriculum and practices to strengthen children's problem solving and reasoning processes as well as representing, communicating, and connecting mathematical ideas
  • Ensure curriculum is coherent ans compatible with known relationships and sequences of important of mathematical ideas
  • Provide for children's deep and sustained interaction with key mathematical keys
  • Integrate mathematics with other activities and mathematics with activities
  • Provide ample time, materials, and teacher support for children to engage in play, a context in which they explore and manipulate mathematical ideas with keen interest
  • Introduce mathematical concepts, methods, and language, through a range of appropriate experiences and teaching strategies
  • Support children's learning by thoughtfully and continually assessing all children's mathematical knowledge, skills, and strategies
However, most of the time, teachers do not provide enough opportunity, materials, time and support to children in mathematical ideas. Even though most of the curriculum claim to integrate mathematics in their subjects areas, however, most of the time it may not be true or teachers may not have the necessary knowledge and skills to support children's mathematical ideas. The curriculum may focus on language and teachers may relay on worksheets to support children's learning.
  
Common practice that are already in preschool are as follows:


  • Relationships of more, less, and same
  • Early counting
  • Numeral writing and recognition
  • Counting on and counting back
  • Estimation and measurement
  • Data collection and analysis
Not common practice in preschool:
  • Doubles and near doubles
  • Anchoring numbers to 5 and 10

Reference
   Van de Walle, J. (2009). Elementary and middle school mathematics: Teaching developmentally (7th ed.). New York: Longman

Final Reflection

Before the start of the course, I was wondering what will be taught in this module. I have some fear and reservations about attending this module as mathematics was my weakest subject. Although I do not hate or detest mathematics but I do not have the confident that I can do well in this module.

However, I really enjoyed the lectures and I have fun too. I had never imagined that mathematics can be taught in such fun, creative and interactive manner. I wish that I could be given the opportunity to learn mathematics in such fun, creative and interesting manner during my childhood education.

For now, I really want to make a different in children's learning in mathematics. I hope to assist children to lay the proper foundations in mathematics before they transits to primary school and give them the right attitude towards learning mathematics.

There are two theories that I have learnt during lectures that have left a great impact and impression on me. The first one is Polya's Model - Let's Solve it which involves the following process:
  • Understanding the problem
  • Devising a plan
  • Carrying out the plan
  • Looking back
The second is the Jerome Bruner's theory on CPA approach. The approach is as follows:
  • Concrete materials
  • Pictorial
  • Abstract
Last but not least is the value of teaching mathematical concepts and skills through problem solving.

Sequencing Learning Task for Place Value

According to Jerome Bruner's theory children learnt best through CPA approach. The CPA approach is  as follows:

1) C-Concrete materials
2) P- Pictorial
3) A- Abstract

Therefore, I would sequence the place value task as follows:

1) Place Value Chart
The place value chart should be the next step to be introduced or shown to children after the introduction of 3 tens 4 ones done through concrete materials. By doing so, children will be able to understand the place value of 3 tens 4 ones better as they have been introduced to it earlier through concrete materials. 

2) Tens and ones notation
Children have seen from the place value chart that 3 is in the tens  position and 4 in the ones position from the earlier introduction. Therefore, introducing the tens and ones notation now will further enhance their understanding in place value.

3) Numbers in numerals
Now we can introduce the numbers in numerals to children as they can see that 30 + 4 means 34.

4) Expanded notation
At this stage, children will have a better understanding that 34 is make up of 3 tens 4 ones. So now is a good time to reinforce children's learning and check their understanding on the concept of the place value. 

5) Numbers in words
The numbers in words should be introduced to the children at the last stage after they have understand the concept of numerals.

Problem Solving - Environment Based Task

As mentioned in the textbook, children are learning mathematics by doing mathematics (Walle, Karp & Bay-Williams, 2009, p.33). The teaching must begin with the prior knowledge that children already have so that they can create new knowledge as they build on their existing knowledge. When children are given a problem to solve, as teachers we should encourage them to put on their 'thinking cap' and  use their ideas to solve the problem. Personally, I feel that teachers can and should use the THINK framework as this framework supports and fosters the metacognition of children.  

In fact, using George Polya's four step problem solving process to help and guide children to solve their problem will improve children's ability to solve problems.
   
The four step problem solving process is as follows: 
1. Understanding the problem 
2. Devising a plan
3. Carrying out the plan
4. Looking back    

When we were out looking and observing the environment, we already had in mind to teach addition skills. When we saw the numbers from the different building, bus-stop, signage and a stretch of metal gate make up of squares, we decided to use the tic-tac-toe idea to introduce and teach addition skills with number bond concept.

We had fun as we tried out the game ourselves. We were trying to outwit one another to be the winner. As we were playing the game ourselves, we were also exploring the possibility of teaching subtraction skills. However, I think we can use this game to teach divison and multiplication skills for the lower primary students. 


After going through the lectures, I believed and supports that teaching mathematics should be done in a fun, creative, interesting and interactive way that starts from where the children are. At the same time, teaching children to use problem solving strategies like guess and check and look for a pattern to solve the problem is also important. 




Friday, September 24, 2010

Hi Dr Yeap,

My blog is not ready. Pls look at it again at the end of the month. Thank you very much.

Regards,
Carole

Monday, September 20, 2010

Reflection on Chapter 7

After reading chapter 7, I am surprised to realised that using calculators can improve children's attitudes and motivation in learning mathematics and used calculators to develop concepts and enhance problem solving. As mentioned in the chapter, teachers have to capitalize on the appropriate use of technology to expand children's mathematical understanding.

As I was reading this chapter, I have this question back in my mind. Will using calculator take away children's ability to do mental calculation? Will children relay on using calculator each time they have to do calculations. But as I read on, my questions were answered.

This chapter also mentioned that computers software can be used to develop numeration and geometry. My concern is, do teachers have the required knowledge and skill to use this technology to help children understand and expand their mathematical concept. 

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Reflection on Day 1

Before the start of the course, I was wondering what will the lecturer teach us about maths. When Dr Yeap started the lesson with the spelling card trick, followed by the dice problem and paperclip game, I was so surprised and amazed to know that teaching mathematics can be done in an interesting, fun and creative ways. Deep in my heart, I wish that I was taught mathematics through this interesting, fun and creative ways. The first lesson really "open up" my mind to perceive teaching mathematics in a different way.  

The video clip that Dr Yeap showed us in the lesson, showed us how the children in the class used logical thinking process to find out the missing numbers of the dice. In the video clip, it also showed how the teacher (Dr Yeap, himself) was able to observed that some of the children were not able to find the answer to the problem and how he used differentiating instruction to guide one of the child to solve the problem.   

MOE Mathematics Syllabus mentioned the following points about teaching mathematics to students in Singapore: 

  1. Mathematics is an excellent vehicle for the development and improvement of a person’s intellectual competence in logical reasoning, spatial visualisation, analysis and abstract thought.
  2. Mathematics is also a subject of enjoyment and excitement which offers students opportunities for creative work and moments of enlightenment and joy.
  3. These are valued not only in science and technology, but also in everyday living and in the workplace.
With these points in mind, teachers need to relook into the way mathematics are taught to children. Teachers should provide opportunity and encourage children to think, discuss their ideas, strategies and ask questions to find solutions to the problem tasked to them. Hands-on participation with variety of materials and manipulative is one way teachers can facilitate children's learning in mathematics concept just like how Dr Yeap used those creative games to let us understand that mathematics can be taught in a fun and creative ways. 

Friday, September 10, 2010

Reflection on Chapter 1 and 2

Before I read the textbook, I did not know that there are principles and process standards that teachers need to understand and use the process standard to teach mathematics to children. After reading the two chapters, I have come to realise and understand the importance of using the right standards/ways to teach mathematics to young children helps to lay the foundations for their future learning. At the same time, using the process standards to teach children learn mathematics will assist children to develop thinking skills that is crucial for learning. 

The six principles and five process standards mentioned in the textbook are important information for people who design the curriculum for the preschool. It is also important for teachers who are teaching mathematical knowledge to read and understand the six principles and five standards for school mathematics. Personally, I agree with the points mentioned  and  I feel that it is important to give all children the equal opportunity to learn mathematics through active learning. Children must be active learners when they are learning mathematics concept.

One way for children to learn mathematics concept is through problem solving. When children are solving mathematics problem, they are able to  reason and proof that their answer make sense through logical thinking. When they talk about and describe or explain the mathematical ideas, they are exploring the different ideas and making connections to mathematical ideas. Through the process of brain storming for solution to their problem, children can also use charts, graphs, diagrams, symbols and manipulative to express mathematical ideas and relationships. However, the classroom environment must be well equipped with learning centers in which technology is used to enhance learning and understanding of mathematics concept.   

As Piaget suggested, assimilation occurs when a new concept "fits" with prior knowledge and the new information expands an existing network. Accommodation takes place when the new concept does not "fit" with the existing network, so the brain revamps or replaces the existing schema. (Walle, Karp & Bay-Williams, 2009, p. 20) Therefore, as we build on our existing knowledge with newer ideas about mathematics knowledge, we are able to make better connections between prior knowledge and new knowledge so as to achieve a maximized understanding of mathematics concept.