LAST BLOG!!!! yaho0o0o0o

In my last blog post, I stated that I wanted to provide my students with authentic examples in my mathematics instruction.  I propose that, when students are given a purpose to the work they are doing/foresee a real-world reasoning for the work, they will become extremely motivated to complete their assignments and thus, learn.  With that said, I plan to challenge their ideals by requiring critical thinking when working on math tasks.  For example, even when the students are doing the necessary paper and pencil problems requiring them to solve addition, subtraction, multiplication or division problems, I will ask them to write a situation in their life when they have (or think they will) use(d) this sort of problem to come about a solution. Sometimes students become discouraged because they feel like math is so limiting and boring, but when I will require my students to go above and beyond the black and white solutions to problems, and apply these processes to their lives outside of school, they hopefully will discover that math is interesting and fun!

Another concept I mentioned in my last blog post was that I will strive to string together math with all my other subjects/lessons of the day.  The ideals above are perfect examples of this plan; my students' linguistic abilities can be assessed at the same time as their mathematics (two birds with one stone, eh?).  In order to make certain students are following this procedures I described in the last paragraph, I will assess their work in two parts. For instance, if students only answer the math problems, but do not complete the writing and critical thinking portion of the assignment, they will receive half-credit until the latter portion is finished.  Not only will this inspire critical thought and assess two subject areas at the same time, it will also minimize cheating.  No longer will students be able to copy each others' homework; they must create their own, complete responses. ((They may hate me at the time...but thank me later...?))

Lastly, in my previous post, I mentioned that I wanted my students to be 'great students', meaning they assess their own accomplishments and are aware of their strengths and areas in which they need to improve.  I think this will require open communication between each student and me, so end of the week reflections will become a major component of my teaching.  In addition, I would like mathematics to be interactive in ways that allow students to work in groups/with partners.  I will most likely create a lot of math 'challenges' in which students are split-up into teams and compete with one another.  I think this will make learning math 'fun' because most kids get rather excited when there is a competition.