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