Math was the subject I struggled with as a student. Because of this I know exactly how important an understanding teacher is with a subject you have trouble with and most likely because of that don't like. I try to teach math strategies in very a very basic step by step way. We do lots of math journaling and always put examples with step by step instructions in our journals. Their journals are then a great reference tool to use for classwork and homework. I also usually give them the last 5 minutes of a test to look back through their journal if their was something they are not sure about. It's really important that my students not feel discouraged and that they experience success in my class. Many of the math teachers I had especially in elementary school seemed to have the attitude of here it is either you get it or you don't. And if you didn't do it exactly their way you didn't get it, even if your way worked. I use lots of manipulatives and we do lots of problems together. We often use white boards to do problems together. For students who are struggling I will pull a group to my guided reading table and we will work together. I think it is important for students to understand that everyone is different. Some subjects are easier and some take more work, but that they can all be successful. We also talk about helping one another. Because we all have our strengths and weaknesses we can pull together and help one another. Peer tutoring can be a great help. Sometimes another student can word things in just the right way that click with another student.
What I need to do better is work on filling my aresenal of teaching strategies. I know there are tons of wonderful lessons out there, but I can't seem to find the time to look. I wish we could have a PD day to do things like this. There are tons of great computer programs and I need to make some more games for my SMART board, but as with everything time is the enemy.
My goal for math and all subjects is to work this summer on notesbooks for each subject. I want to divide the notebooks into the standards I teach and then fill them in with some new a great strategies. This would be a great resource for all subjects.
Writing in math - what a concept! Anytime we do a quick write or RAFT writing in my math class, the students compain, "I didn't know I was going to have English again today." Too funny!
ReplyDeleteTime is an enemy for me also. Although we will have class over the summer, taking my children to daycare may provide a little more time to work over the summer than normal. I hope you have find a teacher friend with the same interests and desires to be a better teacher to work with this summer so that notebook will be full. I think I need to start a notebook as well!
I enjoyed reading your post!