Math is fun again!

Hello people!

So this past Monday, we had our third math class of the year, and I've got to tell you...IT'S FUN! I know it sounds awful that I'm surprised by that, but I really didn't have the best experiences with math as a kid.

Moving forward...

This lesson focused on how to solve for problems using different methods.

We first had a presentation that included yummy Timbits and some group brainstorming. Luckily we were able to solve the problem (and eat some Timbits).

As an ice-breaker for the lesson, we tried the 24 Game (which I failed miserably at, yet still enjoyed). This game consists of numbers in four squares equaling the number 24. You are able to add, subtract, divide and multiply, but the result of the four numbers MUST end up to be 24. For a person who really hasn't used math/has avoided using math since grade 11, this got me thinking, and thinking fast. (Hence why I did actually enjoy it!)

After this, we moved on to some open-ended problem solving and playing with cubes. (Why couldn't math be this fun when I was in elementary school!?) We were split into groups and had to give a certain colour of cube a number value, representing behaviour demonstrated at a camp. (Psych 100, anyone...?) The best part of this activity was coming up with numbers, and explaining to other groups how and why we came up with them.

They had to put the Timbits right in front of me...

By the end of the activity, my group had conformed (willingly, yet we still believed our idea was pretty good), and had merged with another group's idea. Another good thing about this activity was that although we did agree on one final answer, no one's answer was really wrong. It was all about what WE thought and how We explained ourselves. I really wish that I had been taught something like this when I was in school. Maybe then I wouldn't have tried to swear off math forever...

If you include food in math, I will always learn

We finished off the class by looking at different examples of how to add, subtract, multiply and divide different terms. And let me tell you...my mind was blown. I was always taught the traditional way how to solve problems, and never really considered that there were other ways of looking at things. But seriously, my mind was blown by how many ways there are to solve a problem. Where did some of these methods even come from!? Who thought of them!? (What would I have done if a student had approached me with the line method of multiplication, and I had never seen it before!?) After this lesson, I really began to see how math can be great; It just needs to be approached through many different ways that cater to many different students' learning styles.

My new multiplication method

This lesson gave me hope. It gave me hope that I can be a good math teacher, that I will be able to help my students understand problems in ways they feel comfortable, and that if you can't get a problem...you just can't get it YET.

I'm looking forward to next week's lesson. I really can't wait to see what else is out there...

Until next time, Happy Math-ing!

Welcome to my Blog!

Hello everyone, and welcome to my math blog! I'm still semi-new to blogging, so I'll try to do my best!

Anyways, hi! My name is Erin, and I am a recent Queen's Bachelor of Music graduate, with a specialization in voice. (And with enough credits for a second teachable in Drama!) I'm really looking forward to this new school year, and I really can't wait to get into a classroom and start teaching!

So...Math...

I haven't taken any math courses since Grade 11, but that's totally ok! I used to be a bit apprehensive about teaching math to students (since I wasn't the best math student way back when...) BUT school has changed a lot since I've been in it! I was also told that there are right and wrong answers, and nothing else in between. I was always afraid to ask questions in class, and therefore, I didn't do so well. Somewhere along the way, I kind of gave up on math (Sorry math!). However, since being in this math class, I AM FEELING HOPEFUL AGAIN! I'm actually excited to learn about different strategies used to figure out different problems! I want to be able to help the students like me, who say they aren't great at math. I think that everyone has the potential to learn math; they just need to keep a positive attitude, and find out what works best for them!

I'm hoping that this blog will help me to rid my worries about math, and to help me become a strong and confident math teacher. I want to be able to grow not only as a teacher, but to learn as a student. I hope my fellow classmates will help me out with some feedback, and I hope that I can encourage them as well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StTqXEQ2l-Y