Math

 

I was taught Math in Elementary school much differently than I teach it today. Many adults share the experience of Math through elementary and secondary school for them being about memorization. Memorization of the math facts (times tables etc...), memorization of formulas and memorization of the steps involved in solving a particular problem. I wasn't taught why I carried the one to the next column... I just did, because that's what you need to do to solve the equation. 

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Today, teachers are taught to focus on the deeper thinking, conceptual understandings and reflective nature of math. We explore the 'WHY' of Math much more. That said, math facts have an important role to play, as they are the tools we use to develop these skills. Problem solving and a capacity to think laterally between concepts and make new connections and discoveries is where the magic happens. Often, I notice the types of students that have success with this are patient, persistent and resilient when they make mistakes. These are some "mathematical virtues" we aim to improve this year. Will we also need to learn our facts for addition and subtraction? Yes. 

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Rather than myself as the teacher and the students as learners having an expectation of where they need to be skill-wise at the end of each unit, we will focus on keeping ourselves in a place of optimal growth. Always easier said than done, but I aim to keep both motivation and confidence high regardless of where they are at. Rather than comparing abilities, I aim to coach kids to think in terms of themselves on a continuum of learning in Math.