Chapter 9 - Math

Math was the easiest subject for me in school.  I remember my first grade teacher, Mrs. Jones, gave cereal as a treat for those who scored perfect on their math assignments.  I always had cereal!  When I began teaching, I worked with all freshmen: Algebra 1, Math Tech 1, Math Remediation.  I had no clue as to why students struggled so much.  There were holes, gaps if you will, in learning.  I would end up frustrated and not able to help at times.  Then I realized that if there is not prior learning to attach new learning to, it wouldn't occur.  I used to think if they didn't know it by now, then they'll never know it.  I have now changed my mind set to, I will try to teach you this alongside new material.  The three types of math disabilities described in the book  represent a lot of my students.  In college, we learned to teach math with VNAG - verbally, numerically, algebraically, graphically.  By giving students different representations they can attach to a method that is comfortable for them. Usually, they end up full circle and can retain the skills needed in all four areas.

The four step approach to solving word problems is something I still do.  After reading this text, I realize I need to spend more time helping students actually decide what to do.  In tutoring a student after school for two months now, I am trying to teach him to ask the same questions he thinks I would ask.  I need to do a better job of this in whole - group learning.  The behavior issues I run in to in the math classroom are those who have caught on to the material quickly and blurt out answers.  I like to have an open - air classroom to ask questions, but students answering questions aloud without giving ample time for others to answer is deterring other students from thinking and learning.

Some things I will work on include helping students in word problems.  I will try to teach them questions to ask themselves while they are working problems.  Maybe I can teach them backwards - starting with an answer and seeing if it fits the question.  I will also utilize Activ Expressions so my eager  students can answer first, but while keying in the answer, everyone else will have the opportunity to think.