Team Teaching

Our Plan was to introduce measurement and the concepts of periemeter and area to students in the elementary level. We thought the concept of Santa Claus with no helpers was cute in the way that it would make the connection to the students a little easier. This concept was very vague in the idea that we did not give enough instruction for students to find the answer that we were looking for. Rather it was just enough instruction for students to think of ideas of how to solve the problem themselves drawing on previous knowledge of measuring and estimating.
This plan could be used for any grade because it can introduces so many concepts or help sutdents relearn concepts for earlier grades. We had anticipated some confusion with the start of the lesson but we were wrong. When we introduced the problem and just handed the boxes out, the students just rolled with it. It was easy to begin, the students did not need much instruction for us and it was simple to conduct. All in all the team teaching went extremely well and we were surprised at how well.
It was fun to be able to be the teacher for once. Being in observation days you are considered a teacher but do not necessarily get the chance to teach the whole class. This helped me become more aware of the challenges I will face as a teacher. I would have to be constantly aware of how well the students are faring with the problem and come up with solutions for those who are having extreme difficulty with the problem at hand.

Team Teaching

Natalie and Carla: I found their activity really good. They created an idea that can apply to real life situations as well let the children have fun. I had fun doing the problem so I would imagine grade 1's woud have a ball! it was so simple and easy to conduct that it was possible to add more condiments to their sandwich for those who are finished early. The best thing I liked about this topic was the fact that it helped students find patterns but apply it to a real life situation.

Amanda and Nichole: Like Natalie and Carla's idea, they decided to use food to help students find the math. The pizza party with fractions was very interesting because I am so used to using pie for fractions. With this topic, the students can apply to everyday life. They could figure out how many people can go to their parties and how much food they need. They would become helpers for their parens. I found it enjoyableand aware that I was continuing looking for solutions after I was done. It stuck in my mind.

I enjoyed these two lessons and hope to use them in my classroom.

Fractions Class

This class was a very interesting experience for me. I am so used to to following procedures and quations that this class kind of stumped me. Over the course of my Math experiences in school, it has been drilled into my mind that the only way you can solve a math problem is to use the procedures or equations. This class had me so frustrated. I was trying to place myself in the shoes of a student but I could not help but think "No this is not the way!!" It was so hard for me to do this without writing everything down on paper. I know the kids would find it great because you are not woritng but doing hands on. But what if there is a student in my classroom like me? How would I accommodate him/her if I do this as an activity for mental math?
As for using this type of tool for fractions in my classroom, I will definitely find it beneficial for students to get the complicated topic of fractions. If students have the ability to visualize what they are doing, then it woiuld be a push for students towards success. However, I would have to work and understand this tool very clearly before I give it to the students. If I cannot help them when they ask questions about how to use it, then how good of a teacher would I be?