Reflection 3: Making Mistakes

In class this week our instructor Mina focused on the idea that each student learns in a unique way. Not everyone learns the same and therefore we have different learning styles. Some students are visual learners, they need to see something in order to learn from it. Some students are auditory learners, therefore they can hear their teachers speaking and record what they view as important from it. Also, there are kinesthetic learners, these learners like to physically take part in their learning and DO a task to help them learn better. It is interesting to hear about the different types of learners and take part in activities that can help decipher what type of learner you are. I find that taking a quiz or participating in several activities to understand the type of learner you are can be extremely beneficial for our students and our teachers. It helps to divide the class based on their strengths and the teacher can then create lessons and activities that help students succeed in their strengths and work on their areas of improvement.

The Types of Learners. Google Images. 

As well, in class, we were tasked with finding a resource in our very own IRC and turning it into a math game. This activity had us work in pairs to try and come up with a fun way to teach math. My partner and I chose the idea of math bingo with a game already set up for shape bingo. Our idea behind our game was that the teacher would read out descriptors of the shapes, for example, "Who has a closed polygon with four sides." If the student could identify this shape on their card, they would put down a bingo chip. Depending on the grade level the game can be changed. The teacher could call out other descriptors such as the colour or the name of the shape and the student would have to identify it. We found that this could be a fun game for students in various grades and it can also be used as an introductory lesson to a unit, or even a closure lesson or practice session for a test. 

Math Bingo. Courtney Helt. 2017

Furthermore, our online work this week had us examining videos discussing the importance of mistakes, and speed in math. Before this week I had no idea that mistakes actually help to GROW our BRAINS and that speed means nothing in math! This idea is huge to me because it will encourage our students to stop being scared of making a mistake and take their time. Multiple videos by Jo Boaler stated that students who make mistakes actually grow their brains because synapses fire and this helps to promote growth. However, when we get everything right and do not try as hard, there are no synapses and therefore no growth. It is imperative that we teach our students to problem solve, try their best, and make multiple mistakes because they learn more as a result. Likewise, when solving a math problem it is not about how fast you go because speed means nothing. Several videos highlighted that the greatest mathematician's in the world are also the slowest people at math! 

I remember back in elementary and high school I never wanted to be called on in math because I was never the fastest person to solve a problem, nor did I always get the right answer. This discouraged me because my teacher would either call on someone else to help me and they usually had the answer before me. Thus, making my young self-think that I was not as smart as some of my classmates because it took me longer to solve my problems. This was not true. I was actually just as smart and my brain was growing/enhancing as I solved my problems and took my time. 

Hence, the take-home points from this week included:

• There are different types of learners: auditory, visual, & kinesthetic and it is important that our teachers create lessons that suit each individual learner, as well as, that students know what type of learner they are most like. 
• The more mistakes you made the stronger and bigger your brains grew! This also contributes to the idea of having a Growth Mindset in our learning.
• Math is not about speed, the most successful mathematicians were the slowest at math. Taking ones time helps the individual to understand math better and again grow their brains!
• Always trust Jo Boaler, below is another excellent video explaining the importance of making mistakes in order to help our brains grow. 

Thanks for tuning in again! I hope you enjoyed reading my blog and following my journey through Year 2 Math!

Cheers, Courtney 

Reflection 2: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!!!

Mindset, Google Images 2017.

What stood out to me this week was the idea of MINDSET! It is imperative that we teach our students from an early age that everyone can have a math mindset. As future teacher's we need to foster a healthy learning environment that promotes math in a fun, positive, and logical way for our young learners. If we approach math from a negative point of view and see it as a scary subject to teach, then our students will carry this mentality on throughout their schooling. While participating in the online modules for Week 2, I was exposed to several excellent videos and ideas surrounding the topic of "GROWTH MINDSET vs. FIXED MINDSET". Below is a terrific example of how students may think when they possess either mindset. 

Growth Mindset. Google Images. 2017

Students need to be encouraged to keep on trying regardless of the consequences of making a mistake because in reality there are actually no consequences but simply growth!!! We can only learn from our mistakes and become greater individuals as a result. For example, our math class this week started off with another fun card trick. Our teacher encouraged us to think outside of the box and to simply try, try, and try again, the different ways that we could solve for the trick. In the beginning, I was hesitant at trying because I did not want to fail. However, after a few minutes of observing my peers attempting to solve for the trick, I understood that this mentality, "fear of failing" is exactly what is wrong with our mindsets/education system. Students are put under large amounts of pressure from both their parents and teachers to be perfect and successful in everything that they do. This pressure ultimately fosters a "fear of failing mindset" and it hinders our young students from trying anything new and making the mistakes that they need to help their brains grow. Students in all grades have a fear of being labelled "dumb or stupid" if they make a mistake, so instead, they simply don't try. This is WRONG, especially when teaching and learning math! Mistakes should be encouraged and therefore growth will be developed. Below is an excellent picture with 10 points for Coaching a Growth Mindset in our young learners. I think all teachers should keep these points in their repertoires for future use.

Coaching a Growth Mindset. Google Images. 2017 

I too was a student who once believed I could not change my math abilities. I had teachers who cared but did not make me see math in a way that we are learning it today. Math was a subject with one right answer and one right way to solve it. I was a concrete learner who could only solve my equations the way the teacher showed me and if I got the answer wrong I thought I was stupid. Now, in 2017, in my second year of teacher's college, I am finally seeing the light and understanding the importance behind fostering a student/classroom growth mindset towards math and even all learning! I highly suggest that if you do not understand the concept of a growth mindset that you check out Jo Boaler's videos on youtube, Growth Mindset for Math , it will truly change the way you look at math.

Thank you for viewing my blog this week! Tune in next time and follow my journey understanding/learning more about myself and more importantly, learning about math!

Cheers, Courtney! 

Reflection 1: Back 2 School

Image Retrieved September 11 2017. Back to School Graphic. Google Images. 

Anddddd with that, Summer has come to an end, and we are back in the classroom! Happy September everyone and welcome to my Year 2, J/I Math Blog! It was great to see my fellow teacher candidates walking the halls once again at Brock's Hamilton Campus. I can already tell that this year has so much in store for all of us. So, with that, shall we get started.

On Tuesday we were welcomed into our first math class of the year. Needless to say I was anxious and nervous to see what was in store for us. We started our class off on a lighter note with a card trick from our teacher Mina. This activity definitely eased the tension in the room and allowed all students to join in. It allowed us to work in groups, meeting new and old friends and had us brainstorming ideas for how to solve the trick. My group was not off to a good start. However, we worked together and attempted to solve the trick on our own creating a light-hearted and positive classroom
environment. 

Image Retrieved September 11 2017. Card Tricks. Google Images. 

Our first class was a great overview for what was in store for year 2! We participated in a bunch of activities that allowed myself and my peers to express our feelings about math. This year I was not as hesitant about entering my first math class. During my first year of teachers college I had a placement at HNOJ and taught 3 math classes (grade 7, 8, and 7/8 split). Now, I know what you're thinking, elementary school math is EASYYYYY. Well, not quite for this history major, I was absolutely terrified. However, I overcame this fear by being prepared for my lessons and taking the time to listen to my students. It truly is key to listen to your students interests and incorporate their opinions into your lessons. A student can do well in any subject if they try. But they can be exceptional in a subject they can relate to! 

Moreover, our in-class and online-session provided us teacher candidates with some excellent resources to help us teach and understand math. The Ontario Curriculum Document  for mathematics is EXTREMELY beneficial! As well, I found Jo Boaler's Youtube Videos both inspiring and eye opening. She discusses the importance of a growth mindset for our students as well as the KEY idea that everyone is a math person! This is something I never believed in until last year. My math class from year 1, along with my teaching placement inspired me to throw my fears about math out the window. As well, it challenged me to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes, and to always have a positive attitude in anything you do!

As future educators it is key that we inspire our students to constantly try new things and never have a fear of failing. Failure allows for growth, and growth creates success. Students need tools such as technology, and manipulatives, as well as a positive classroom environment which supports the idea of a growth mindset in order to achieve the successes that they are capable of. It is our duty as future educators to provide all of this and more to our students!

Below is another thought provoking and crucial video that I came across by Jo Boaler. I believe every future teacher needs to watch her videos and bring her theories into our classrooms. Her points are simple, elegant, and spot on for our modern day learning/classroom environment.




Thanks for taking a look at my blog!
See you again next week,

Cheers, Courtney