Teaching Math at the Elementary Level
Keira Coles
Embedded Files
Learning Targets
Why does math need to be taught in the classroom instead of online?
Why does math need to be taught in the classroom instead of online?
Mrs. Holly Callahan's take on teaching math to her 1st graders in this pandemic.
Mrs. Holly Callahan's take on teaching math to her 1st graders in this pandemic.
What are some main difficulties in teaching math?
How has it been since COVID-19 teaching your students math through zoom?
Where do you see your students struggling the most since the pandemic?
Why does math need to be taught in the classroom instead of online?
Why does math need to be taught in the classroom instead of online?
Math is a subject to all students that needs to be taught in a face-to-face session Ma, L. (1999). Most students can learn how to solve the math problems just with the lesson being taught and with notes. Other students would need the teacher there with them to guide them in solving the problems. Students can ask questions about the problems when they are on zoom, but it is not the same as asking them when they are in the classroom because the teacher has to write it all down at once instead of doing it step-by-step so students can understand it Harding-DeKam, J. L. (2014). Teachers are having to teach their students through “Zoom” which is not always a useful thing to use. Some teachers are not up to date with new technology like Zoom. Teachers are trying their best to teach their students, but some things are hard to teach and learn when you are not in person.
Mrs. Holly Callahan's take on teaching math to her 1st graders in this pandemic.
Mrs. Holly Callahan's take on teaching math to her 1st graders in this pandemic.
For my interview, I chose a 1st-grade teacher who is currently teaching in the pandemic. For her interview, I asked her three questions:
What are some main difficulties in teaching math?
"One main difficulty I see in my 1st-graders is that they all learn in different ways. There are so many ways to teach each concept. There are a variety of learners in each classroom. It's not a one size fits all! Math is something that kids are either really good at or really not so good at. Some kids catch on right away the first time you show them while others it takes three or four different methods to begin to understand" (Holly Callahan, 1st-grade teacher, February 2, 2021).
How has it been since COVID-19 teaching your students math through zoom?
"It has definitely been more challenging. We sent home as many manipulatives as we could. I try to do as many games and interactives as I can. I typically go into the school building to teach my math lesson so that I can use my Promethean board. Also, I use a lot of youtube songs and videos as well" (Holly Callahan, 1st-grade teacher, February 2, 2021).
Where do you see your students struggling the most since the pandemic?
"In first grade, my students struggle most with place value concepts. They are still learning how to write their numbers and often put them in the wrong order or reverse them" (Holly Callahan, 1st-grade teacher, February 2, 2021).
Within the interview, it was intriguing to see from an actual teacher's perspective and views on teaching in the pandemic.
Closure
Closure
While doing this assignment has taught me a lot that I need to know. Hopefully by the time I start teaching everything will be back to normal. I do not want to teach via Zoom to my students my first year teaching. I would really love to be in the classroom interacting with my students. I truly think that I would be just fine even if I have to teach my students online. Maybe that would give me more time to get my confidence up and have my nerves tamed. Either way, it goes students need to get their education and it is my role and responsibility as a teacher to give it to them. For all my future teachers if you all might teach through zoom, get to know how to use it now and be very familiar with it. Also, do not be afraid to ask other teachers for help!
Multiple Choice
Multiple Choice
What kind of board does Mrs. Callahan use to teach math to her students?
A. Chalkboard
B. Boogie Board
C. Promethean Board
D. Whiteboard
What do 1st-grade students struggle with the most?
A. Adding and Subtracting
B. Counting
C. Place Value
D. Z-Scores
Answers:
C
C
References
References
H. Callahan, 1st-grade teacher, February 2, 2021
Harding-DeKam, J. L. (2014). Defining culturally responsive teaching. The Case of Mathematics, 1(1), 1. doi:10.1080/2331186X.2014.972676
Ma, L. (1999). Knowing and teaching elementary mathematics: Teacher's understanding of fundamental mathematics in China and the United States (Vol. 46) 881-887. Mahwah, New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Retrieved February 15, 2021, from https://www.ams.org/notices/199908/rev-howe.pdf.
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