Out of the three games that Dr.Yeap introduced, I liked the card games best as it involves the integration of Math and Language. This integration was brought out in a fun and interesting manner. I believe that mathematics has to be taught in a fun and interesting manner such as through games and other activities. As this way, children will remember the various concepts in the long term.Though our group found it challenging at first, to solve the problem, once we understood the strategy behind the game, we were able to arrange the cards from 1-10 as well as from 10-1. When I repeated this activity with my K2 students they were amazed and they said that I was a magician.
The technique of dice game was interesting and unique. Initially, I could not figure out the strategy behind the game. When the teacher explained that the sum of four numbers in one line is fourteen, I realised how easy the problem was. I enjoyed the paper clip game. I tried to win as much as possible by leaving three paperclips to my friend.
The video showed to us was useful. The teacher showed us how he can be a good listener as well as the same time how to facilitate the students' thinking skills to solve a problem.
The whole class was interesting. I understood how learning math can be a fun fill experience.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Problem Solving
I think teaching 'through' problem solving is the best approach that allows the students to learn mathematics in the real context. Through this method, students learn mathematics 'through' real contexts, problems, situations, and models. The models allow students to build meaning for the concepts so that they can move to abstract concepts.
We have learnt that problem is defined as any task or activity for which the students have no prescribed rules or methods nor is there a perception by students that there is a specific 'correct' solution method. We also learned that 'problem' must begin where the students are, 'the problamatic aspect of the problem' must be due to the mathematics that the students are to learn and it also requires the justifications and explanations for answers and methods.
Keeping these in mind, our group decided to look for a model that allows the students to build meaning for the concepts so that they can move to the abstract concepts. So we have chosen a sculpture that was in the Art museum which has different shapes on it. Our aim is to introduce a pictograph based on the data collected from the sculpture so that the students can move to abstract concepts. We have focussed only on the different shapes on it. After collecting the data, we decided to create the pictograph as we realised that activities that involve graphing are a good way to connect the children's world with numbers. 'Through' the graph the students are able to analyse and process the data.Through many questions we plan to ask the children, they will be able to solve problems after analysis the graph. Through this activity, I have come to a conclusion that activities involving graphing such as the use of pictographs are a good way for children to learn problem solving skills. 'I strongly believe that teaching should begin with the ideas that children already have, the ideas they will use to create new ones.'
We have learnt that problem is defined as any task or activity for which the students have no prescribed rules or methods nor is there a perception by students that there is a specific 'correct' solution method. We also learned that 'problem' must begin where the students are, 'the problamatic aspect of the problem' must be due to the mathematics that the students are to learn and it also requires the justifications and explanations for answers and methods.
Keeping these in mind, our group decided to look for a model that allows the students to build meaning for the concepts so that they can move to the abstract concepts. So we have chosen a sculpture that was in the Art museum which has different shapes on it. Our aim is to introduce a pictograph based on the data collected from the sculpture so that the students can move to abstract concepts. We have focussed only on the different shapes on it. After collecting the data, we decided to create the pictograph as we realised that activities that involve graphing are a good way to connect the children's world with numbers. 'Through' the graph the students are able to analyse and process the data.Through many questions we plan to ask the children, they will be able to solve problems after analysis the graph. Through this activity, I have come to a conclusion that activities involving graphing such as the use of pictographs are a good way for children to learn problem solving skills. 'I strongly believe that teaching should begin with the ideas that children already have, the ideas they will use to create new ones.'
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| Sculpture |
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