I made a decision to join teaching because I have always been fascinated with numbers and calculations and I felt that I could train to be a teacher and teach middle school math. I have been at it for more than 2 years and everyday is a challenge.
I enjoy interacting with the kids on a daily basis but at times frustrations creep in when kids appear to be struggling with new concepts and failing to remember the basics which they have been taught in mathematics since elementary days.
Teaching Math in Middle School
There are many challenges which we face as teachers who are dealing with kids in this transitional period from elementary school math to high school math.
At elementary school level kids were used to concrete concepts in math and they could easily see and follow manipulative s, but now in middle school things are different and some kids find it difficult when you introduce abstract concepts like equations and inequalities and yet these concepts form the core of their high school math.
The gifted kids who make up at least 30% of your class are able to understand the concepts with ease but the remaining 50-70% really struggle. The use of calculators has really ruined their mental math capabilities since most of the kids can no longer carry out simple multiplication and or division in their heads.
They no longer get tested on multiplication tables and division tables first thing in the morning.
At elementary school level kids were used to concrete concepts in math and they could easily see and follow manipulative s, but now in middle school things are different and some kids find it difficult when you introduce abstract concepts like equations and inequalities and yet these concepts form the core of their high school math.
The gifted kids who make up at least 30% of your class are able to understand the concepts with ease but the remaining 50-70% really struggle. The use of calculators has really ruined their mental math capabilities since most of the kids can no longer carry out simple multiplication and or division in their heads.
They no longer get tested on multiplication tables and division tables first thing in the morning.
The kids now rush to bring out their calculators and although in the end, they may end up with the correct answers
deep down, they do not understand the basic concepts which are involved in coming up with that answer.
Classroom Management and Organization Tips
Classroom management and organization tips
The most important factor governing student learning is Classroom Management .
In an effective classroom,the students are responsible for carrying out the procedures which have been organized for their learning.
The teacher is constantly concerned with student behavior since this impacts heavily on how the rest of the students learn.
Classroom Management refers to all of the things a teacher does in order to organize students" space,time and materials so that learning can take place in a conducive environment.
For effective Classroom Management you should consider these four areas.
1. Classroom ambiance.. the look and feel of your classroom. Do you want too much noise or controlled voices. How does your desk look like.?Does it reflect that you are an orderly person?
2. Procedures...Make sure your procedures are streamlined . Students should know what to do all the time
and you should manage your time and students" time efficiently.
3. Engage all students...The way you deliver your lessons should have a lot of variety and animation in order
to motivate and engage all students.You need to encourage all students and let them know that you believe
that they can all succeed.
4. Establish discipline...Create an environment of consistency and mutual respect.You will eliminate some discipline problems and facilitate solving of others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XroJtR9gQc8
In an effective classroom,the students are responsible for carrying out the procedures which have been organized for their learning.
The teacher is constantly concerned with student behavior since this impacts heavily on how the rest of the students learn.
Classroom Management refers to all of the things a teacher does in order to organize students" space,time and materials so that learning can take place in a conducive environment.
For effective Classroom Management you should consider these four areas.
1. Classroom ambiance.. the look and feel of your classroom. Do you want too much noise or controlled voices. How does your desk look like.?Does it reflect that you are an orderly person?
2. Procedures...Make sure your procedures are streamlined . Students should know what to do all the time
and you should manage your time and students" time efficiently.
3. Engage all students...The way you deliver your lessons should have a lot of variety and animation in order
to motivate and engage all students.You need to encourage all students and let them know that you believe
that they can all succeed.
4. Establish discipline...Create an environment of consistency and mutual respect.You will eliminate some discipline problems and facilitate solving of others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XroJtR9gQc8
Teaching Philosophy/ Style
Teaching Philosophy/Style
I believe that each child possesses gifts and attributes which are unique to that child and as such all the children in my classroom are different and therefore I should find a way of meeting their individual needs and learning styles.
Each child needs to have a safe,secure and caring environment which allows him or her to learn.My role as an educator is to assist these children develop emotionally, physically and intellectually so that they mature into responsible adults.It is my duty to provide an environment which is safe and where children feel empowered to fully participate in all learning activities taking place in the classroom.
I believe that as an educator, one of my key roles is to provide guidance to the children. I should be able to direct them to where they can get information and find anwers to their questions and curiosity.
When developing a curriculum, I believe that students should be invited to participate in the process.
Given this opportunity, students will be able to contribute their own ideas.
When students take ownership of the curriculum, they are motivated to work harder in order to achieve the set goals.
Finally I believe in setting Classroom Procedures which incorporate behavior expectations.These should be fair and applied consistently across the board. I believe that students will have greater respect for their teachers,themselves and their fellow students when they feel safe and are sure of what is expected of them.
The classroom rules should be constantly reviewed in dialogue with the students. Doing it this way will
ensure that the students continue to respect these rules.
Teaching provides me with an opportunity for learning and growth and I feel Iam dedicated and excited enough to work with children as I strive to satisfy their needs.
Each child needs to have a safe,secure and caring environment which allows him or her to learn.My role as an educator is to assist these children develop emotionally, physically and intellectually so that they mature into responsible adults.It is my duty to provide an environment which is safe and where children feel empowered to fully participate in all learning activities taking place in the classroom.
I believe that as an educator, one of my key roles is to provide guidance to the children. I should be able to direct them to where they can get information and find anwers to their questions and curiosity.
When developing a curriculum, I believe that students should be invited to participate in the process.
Given this opportunity, students will be able to contribute their own ideas.
When students take ownership of the curriculum, they are motivated to work harder in order to achieve the set goals.
Finally I believe in setting Classroom Procedures which incorporate behavior expectations.These should be fair and applied consistently across the board. I believe that students will have greater respect for their teachers,themselves and their fellow students when they feel safe and are sure of what is expected of them.
The classroom rules should be constantly reviewed in dialogue with the students. Doing it this way will
ensure that the students continue to respect these rules.
Teaching provides me with an opportunity for learning and growth and I feel Iam dedicated and excited enough to work with children as I strive to satisfy their needs.
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