Last year I was scared to death to teach math, so I convinced a fabulous teacher to let me teacher her students reading, and she could teach mine math. Our principal said ok. We did it. It worked, but I did miss my kiddos.
Next year I do not have the option for her to teach my students (since I am moving to first grade and she is at third). Nervousness and concern set it. I had not taught math for a while. Could I do it? Did I do it good enough when I was doing it? Reading blogs this spring I came across the term "differentiating" math instruction. That intrigued me. I put investigating it on my summer bucket list. Last week came across a blog (Brenda @ Primary Inspired) that is having a book study on Guided Math.
Yippee! Chapter 1 is an overview of the book and I cannot wait to read the rest. My math teaching confidence has already gone up and I haven't really started planning it yet!
The charts and sample schedule for a week (on page 30) were helpful. But the lesson I learned today is not about how to teach, but why to teach. I need to make sure that I provide multiple opportunities for my students to increase their conceptual understanding of math. Go beyond the facts. Make meaning. Connect to real-world experiences. Gradually let go, let the students take responsibility for their learning and understanding. To let them take responsibility does not mean that I get to sit back and enjoy my time, but I have to be ready with lessons, games, stations, centers, extensions, re-teach, and assessments so that I can be sure that these first graders have a great start, a framework, to move on to second grade (and beyond) so that they can continue to "get it" during their math time.
Sounds daunting right now. However, the rest of this book is going to be great with details, and examples and I will be pumped and ready in August.
Thanks for linking up! You are SO right...kids need lots and lots of meaningful experiences in math. I'm so excited to find out what is in store for us in the rest of the book!
ReplyDeletePrimary Inspired
Alyce, I was kind of where you are now 2 years ago. I had spent 8 years as a reading intervention teacher and literacy coach. I thought I couldn't teach math. But after a year back in the first grade classroom and reading lots of blogs I fell in love with math! Last year I implemented work stations and even became my team's math planner. I hope you learn to love math too!
ReplyDeleteCarol
Still Teaching After All These Years
I like that you plan (and rightly so) to give your students multiple opportunities to interact with math concepts. This goes along nicely with mastery learning.
ReplyDelete