Learning Target Strategy

Every day, mathematics is used in our lives. From playing sports or games to cooking, these activities require the use of mathematical concepts. For young children, mathematical learning opportunities are all around them. Knaus (2013) states that ‘Young children are naturally curious and eager to learn about their surroundings and the world they live in’ (pg.1). Children, young and old, and even adults, learn when they explore, play and investigate. By being actively involved, engaging in activities that are rich, meaningful, self-directed and offer problem solving opportunities, children given the chance to make connections with their world experiences (Yelland, Butler & Diezmann, 1999). As an educator of young children,

Based on your analysis of the focus students’ work samples, write a targeted learning objective/goal for the students related to the area of struggle.

This paper will demonstrate the pre-service teachers’ understanding of mathematical practices as part of the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics. It will address two specific standards for Mathematical Practices, describing the essence of both and providing a description of how teachers facilitate these practices and how students are engaged in the practices.

How are your lessons designed for student learning of mathematical concepts, procedures/algorithms, and mental math strategies through problem solving?

The goal is that > 90% students will know and understand the objective and its relevancy to them at any given time. This contributes to a culture of learning because if students are to truly

The primary goal of the lesson sequence was to actively engage students through fostering problem solving skills and develop conceptual understanding about mathematics. Consequently a range of authentic learning experiences that aimed to actively engage learners through the use of real life contexts, concrete materials and peer collaboration was incorporated in the lessons. The purpose of designing authentic learning experiences was to enthral students in true mathematical problem solving. Fisher, (2005) supports this theory by stating ‘The true use of maths is seen in its application to real-life problems. The activities throughout the lesson plan were intended to support students in actively constructing knowledge by completely immersing students in relevant and authentic learning experiences to become an expert on the content.

Parents are concerned with the changes being made in the way their children are taught math. They are outraged that Common Core wants to cut memorization tecniques like “PEMDAS” and cross-multiplication that “help kids get the right answers to difficult [math] problems.” In contrast, experts believe that techniques “allow students to skip…conceptual thinking.” Also, Common Core math standards claim that getting the correct answer is only the first step, students must then “understand the

     For this particular study, a survey including 39 closed questions (developed by Alan Schoenfeld in 1989) was used. All items on the survey were in the form of a seven point rating scale, with 1 being “strongly agree” and 7 being “strongly disagree”. The questionnaire was determined to be extremely consistent with an alpha of 0.8468. The survey contained questions associated to student’s perception of what mathematics is and how to do well in it, what mathematics solutions should be, how math problems can be solved, how mathematics is learned, and student motivation. For the first 33 questions, the students were asked to rate them on the seven point scale described above. The last six questions on the survey dealt with grades, gender, and perception of the children’s parent’s attitudes towards mathematics. The researcher also used a two-tail t-test to compare the mathematical perceptions of Chinese and American students. The average of each cateogry in the survey was also compared. As stated above, there were six main categories being compared: what

Mathematics, like every creation of man, have evolved without really knowing how far you can get with them: the scope of the computer, physics, chemistry, algebra, all are evidence of this. Every aspect of our culture is based in some way or another in Mathematics: language, music, dance, art, sculpture, architecture, biology, daily life. All these areas of measurements and calculations are accurate. Even in nature, everything follows a precise pattern and a precise order: a flower, a shell, a butterfly, day and night, the seasons. All this makes mathematics essential for human life and they can not be limited only to a matter within the school curriculum; here lies the importance of teaching math in a pleasure, enjoyable and understandable way. Mathematics is an aid to the development of the child and should be seen as an aid to life and not as an obstacle in their lifes.

It is important for my students to understand and value learning goals in the classroom. At the start of every chapter students will be supplied an outline of what they are going to encounter in the upcoming weeks.

Through discussion in class I ask questions, both surface level and critical thinking, which prompt students to answer. When students answer thoroughly they will demonstrate whether or not they understand the learning targets and success criteria. Also, completing the activity at hand will determine if the student understands the learning targets and success criteria. If the activity is successfully completed then the student has met and understood the learning targets and success criteria. If the student does not, they are given direct and specific feedback from me to help lead them to successfully mastering the learning target and success criteria. Constantly referring to the learning target and success criteria ingrain them into the student. I will have a handout for students that each day, when they answer their daily board question, they also write down the learning target and success criteria. This is so it is always in the student’s possession and they are engaging with both when beginning the class period. When the student knows meeting the success criteria and completing the learning target is the key to mastering the lesson they have clear directions and

Being an elementary school teacher comes with a tremendous amount of responsibilities. As a teacher, it is important to know how help all children learn, and contribute to the classroom in an effective way. With students having their own unique way of learning, and contributing to the class us as teachers need help our students find out where they shine in the classroom. As a teacher helping students learn in the way that beneficial to the student is the most important part of the job. A way to help the student succeed in the classroom is to find a goal they are passionate about, find a reward that helps give the child something to work towards. Whether it is an academic goal or them having to work to be able to stay on a sports team. According to Bigpicture.org learning goals are tools used for problem solving and offer a set of boundaries to help the students look at the real world. With helping students set goals it gives them the tools

Mathematics is a type of reasoning. Thinking mathematically includes thinking in a rational way, developing and checking conjectures, understanding things, and forming and validating judgments, reasoning, and conclusions. We show mathematical habits when we acknowledge and explain patterns, build physical and theoretical models of sensations, develop sign systems to assist us stand for, control, and review concepts, and create treatments to address issues (Battista, 1999).

To guide the student to excel in their classroom work, a criteria and goal-setting exercise was carried out to enable the student meet expectations through instructions and the learning process. The student was asked to participate in standardized

Maths is ubiquitous in our lives, but depending on the learning received as a child it could inspire or frighten. If a child has a negative experience in mathematics, that experience has the ability to affect his/her attitude toward mathematics as an adult. Solso (2009) explains that math has the ability to confuse, frighten, and frustrate learners of all ages; Math also has the ability to inspire, encourage and achieve. Almost all daily activities include some form of mathematical procedure, whether people are aware of it or not. Possessing a solid learning foundation for math is vital to ensure a lifelong understanding of math. This essay will discuss why it is crucial to develop in children the ability to tackle problems with initiative and confidence (Anghileri, 2006, p. 2) and why mathematics has changed from careful rehearsal of standard procedures to a focus on mathematical thinking and communication to prepare them for the world of tomorrow (Anghileri).