Creating a Classroom that Revolves Around Students

Classroom Techniques           

        The week in math class was very influential for teaching techniques. Throughout the class session fractions was not the only lesson the teaching candidates and myself were being taught. The use of classroom techniques such as what makes for a good problem for students and classroom congress. These to teaching techniques provided the candidates with ways to ensure the involvement of all students.

What Makes a Good Problem?

            Every week in class we start out working on a problem within our table groups. The table groups are all able to start the problem immediately in a way in which they believe is best suited. The problems that we start with all have multiple aspects in common with each other. As a class we created the list below which describes the aspects that we feel create a good problem. As a teacher candidate I feel that creating these good problems are critical to having an inviting classroom. Questions that allow all students to begin and find answer allow for the students to feel a sense of accomplishment. As a teacher I will strive to make sure that in all subjects that the questions I assign to students will have the aspects of a good problem.

The Classroom Congress

            A classroom congress was a new idea that was presented to me in the previous week. A congress provides the ability for the students to have ownership of the work that they are completing. The congress focuses on student ideas who then explain to other students the way they created their solution. Leaders of the congress take on the role of trying to make sure that any questions have from other students are answered and all members of the congress understand the different solution methods. A congress is a creative way to provide choice and give freedom to the students. This choice that the students have will create better students as they take more interest in the work that they are in charge of. For more information and an example of a math congress go to Math Congress Video to better inform yourself on the use of a congress in the classroom. As a teacher I will hope to use this to provide my students a different way to present the information they have found. Students may feel more comfortable presenting to their peers and can gain a better understanding of the material if they explain it to their peers and feel free to ask questions.

Now for the Math Lesson … Integers

            Not much time was spent on integers but as a teacher I was still able to gain valuable information that will help me teach students. One of the largest problems with integers is applying rules to a problem where they do not apply. As a teacher we can hope to eliminate this mistake by teaching through example. Teaching through example will provide the students concrete material that they can refer to when trying to solve a similar problem. Instead of memorization of specific rules as a teacher I will strive to teach my students through the use of example to ensure that they are able understand what has been taught.

Overall this week showed me that creating an inviting classroom and using examples can positively enhance the education of students.