Math Class

Week 2

This week in math class we took a look at the following math problem "bagging eggs". 

After being given time to discuss this problem with our peers in our groups, we were asked how we went about solving the problem and how we arrived at our answer. What was interesting to find was that everyone in the class had solved the problem in the exact same way using the same methods. However, this would not be the case with our students in our own classrooms. Many students solve math problems in different ways and have many different approaches to all sorts of problems. This is intact a good thing as they are using their problem solving skills, as there is no such thing as there only being one right way to do a math problem or a better way of going about it. It depends on the individuality of each students and the way the view problems and use their problem solving skills. 
This connects with our reading of how proficiency is not all or nothing. Every mathematical idea can be understood at different levels and in many different ways. This proficiency  develops over time as students as students engage in the mathematical activities around them. 
How we can improve this in our students is through the idea of mindset, which we also discussed this week. We as teachers need to promote the growth mindset in our students and create a positive attitude towards math so that they understand  if they study and work hard at the subject they will succeed. 
We also need to encourage our students to be creative with math. It has been believed that math is not a creative subject - as discused last week with our math myths- but it in fact is. This is true as there are many ways that problems can be looked at and solved and we need to help our students to feel comfortable to find the way that best speaks to them and how they feel comfortable doing math. In order to make this possible, we as teachers must focus more on the theory of math and getting our students to understand the problems and be able to think critically, rather than teach them a formula. 
One question I still do have following this weeks sessions is what are the techniques used to promote this type of thinking in our students? Is it simps from the question and problems we provide our students with the opportunity to solve or are there specific techniques and skills to promote critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the content.