EDU 330 - TASK ANALYSIS - PROBLEM SOLVING

The task was to explore the environment and create mathematical concepts that can be introduced to children in a classroom setting.
My group selected   the Bras Basah MRT environment . we created a web that contained  different learning concepts with objectives that can be introduced to  the six years old  .
The concepts are measurement, time , money, mapping, sequencing and others. All these concepts are related to their  daily life experiences and they  will be able to apply the  various  strategies with familiarity  to model and represent their problem solving skills in many ways.
children will be able to apply the varied strategies and engage themselves in process of doing the math concepts example they will be guided to understand the problem , devise a plan , look out for the pattern , guess and check , and then look back. This will allow children to think and talk through the problem raised in the concept.
As teachers',  we need to provide the opportunity to enable children to work in pairs, groups  and alone ,  listen actively to the different way the child present their explanation , provide appropriate hints and thereafter provide the worthwhile extensions to assess the child's problem solving strategies.
This problem based approach will also  help to accommodate the diversity of learning in the classroom.

EDU330- elementary mathematics - PERSONAL REFLECTIONS (H)

This module provided great insights about math concepts and how one can enjoy the process of math through fun activities and games.

 I learnt about the ways to build informal mathematical understanding in children through simple games -(example the holiday dice game. The children enjoyed the game very much and it has become a part of their daily routine to challenge each other before their nap time).

The other game that I introduced to the children was the paper clip game, it helped them in their thinking  and reasoning skills. The games appear simple but the it teaches the counting on, addition and subtractions concepts to children through incidental learning.  It adds fun and enjoyment too.

Another insight that I gained is that  children should be given the chance to be taught to look for patterns in math concept, once they are able to conceptualize the contents through the process orientated activities , Math becomes a fun activity to learn. It becomes their vehicle for their competence in logical reasoning, spatial visualization, analysis and abstract thoughts.I also learnt that as a teacher ,it is important to observe the way children  learn math and then offer the necessary scaffolding . I also learnt about Polya's model towards the problem solving approach (allowing children to be familiarized with various strategies, which will enable the children to model and represent problem solving skills in many ways.It will accommodate the diversity of learning in every classroom)

I agree with the statement, In reality no one teaches mathematics. Effective teachers are those who can stimulate students to learn mathematics in a fun , enjoyable  and natural way.

Thank you Dr Yeap for your guidance and teaching.

BTW -I only have 3/4 cookie.

EDU330- elementary mathematics- Geometry (G)

GEOMETRY is the study of of shapes and spatial relationships. It helps to tie in the children's experiences to relate mathematics to the real world.
Children use geometric and spatial ideas regularly to  problem solve and make decisions in their daily lives. Geometry and spatial sense are the fundamental component of math learning. They are the platform for the study of other topics in math and science.
Spatial visualization refers to the ability to mentally manipulate, rotate, twist, or invert a pictorially presented stimulus object, whereas spatial orientation refers to ability to comprehend the arrangement of elements within a visual pattern and the ability to understand and not to be confused by an object's changing orientation.
In implementing geometry lessons to children , teachers need to engage children actively involved in investigating interesting problems using concrete materials in a carefully and sequenced program. Example the preschoolers/ kindergartners focus on the appearance of shapes as a whole; therefore, they need to be given the opportunity to be involved in the manipulation of models of geometric figures- direct, visual exploration tactile. They must be given the chance to trace , draw, copy, combine and enlarge the physical objects.
Then it can be introduced to children using the software (example drawing of straight  lines, curve lines, triangles, circles, squares , playing the guessing games of the shapes, filling in the names of the shapes and changing the orientation of each shape to their likings using the software). 
This will enable the child to adopt the critique inductive and deductive arguments relating to geometric shapes and its relationships. Examine and describe the models and properties of the  two and three dimensional shapes that emerge.

EDU330- review common practices in preschool (F)

The most common practice in  a childcare setting is , the teachers use the number chart of 1 to 100, this
create opportunities for children to rote count and explore the patterns in the numbers 1 to 100.
thereafter the teacher uses the physical materials / concrete materials to explore the numbers through one to one corespondent, counting on skills, grouping and classifications. followed by writing the numerals in words . once the children had gained the understanding of the numbers , they will be encouraged to use pictorial representation to present their understanding of others through explanations and reasoning. thereafter the teacher will plan other related activities to challenge the child's understanding of the concepts by creating outdoor exploration  and inviting them to present their answers through their drawing, writing, communication and the usage of various strategies example using modelling clay to create numbers.( ABSTRACT THINKING).This reflects me to think of Jerome Burners Theory of CPA approach in implementing math activities to young children.
Numeracy is a mastery of basic symbols and the process of arithmetic combined with critical mathematical thinking.And according to Booker et el (1997), "Numeracy is concerned with communication, making sense of math in their everyday application, and the ability to explore, hypothese, reason logically and in using  a variety of methods to solve a problem".

EDU330- USING TECHNOLOGY IN MATHEMATICS (E)

Using technology in Mathematics is an advantage as it provides access to all students.I feel that it is an effective tool for learning and teaching maths concepts .It provides developmentally appropriate learning experiences for the young children .
In another textbook known as Mathematics for Young Children by  ( Joseph N.Payne).It states that Math learning can stimulated by the use of microcomputer. It enriches the readers to   view of mathematics learning in geometry, problem solving, numeration, and estimation in different perspectives.
The usage of microcomputer has programme that allow math to presented as a field for investigation or as an active  tool for examining,or  creating patterns to explore the possible relationships and problem solving.It also talks about the programming language known as 'LOGO'.
This LOGO permits children to use and create symbols to explore and extend their emerging knowledge of spatial relationships, geometric properties. This program requires children to organize ideas sequentially/ logically as they think of number in terms of distance, angles and measurementment. Teacher's can use this program to model problem solving strategies, stimulate children's curiosity in learning math concepts in a fun and easy way.
The other technology that I would like to state is the usage of calculator. It will enhance the development of problem solving skills in children , and improve on their attitudes towards learning mathematics.
I personally liked the illuminations website  because it provides ideas for teachers of how to compare and coherent a set of learning goals, provides information's about development of curriculum framework, instructional materials, resources for kids, ideas to learn about math mobile and interactive whiteboard where  teachers can use the ideas to implement  the math activities interestingly  for children in the  classroom.
The otherr website is the shador , it is online and it is  interactive . It also talks about the coursework for exploration in math and science concepts.

EDU330- elementary mathematics

Hi , Dr Yeap
Please do not grade my entries yet because i am still worling on it.
Thank you.

EDU330-Place value ( lesson on 8/9/10)

Place value 34
children will be given the concrete materials to group the materiasl in to 3 group of tens and 4 tens which is known as the singles.
then

1. 34 will be written under the place value chart ( 3 under the tens column, 4  under the ones  column)
2. 34=  3 tens  4 ones
3. 34 written in words( thirty - four)
4. 34 in numeral
5. the expanded notation

Justification:
This is the groupable model, it represents the base ten model. It helps the child to connect knowledge to oral and symbolic representation. First  the child need to  built the knowledge on objects,quantity,  model and then the oral names. The place value chart to model and numbers created the sequential  establishment  of  left and right orientation of tens and ones.
The child's understanding on using the expanded notation ( which is known as the equilavent representation) in which the child has gradually grasped the concept through the usage of math langauge and varied instruction and activities.

EDU330- reflection on 1 and 2 chapter

The first chapter is all about the NCTM.It   provides the details  about the six principles that is fundamental to high quality of mathematics education.These six principles are interwined  with school mathematics program.
This chapter also shares about the  five process standard and the teacher's role in creating the  classroom that supports the principles and standards.

The second chapter explains  that mathematics is science of concepts and processes that have a pattern  of regularity and logical order.Young children should be involved in the science of patteren and order, that  using  the generating strategies for solving the problems instead of relying on the given rules and procedures in finding out the right answers.
It also gives the language of mathematics that is used in Principles and standards of NCTM. It states the five strands involved in being mathematically proficient that is conceptual understanding, procedural fluency, strategic competence,adaptive reasoning and productive reasoning.

EDU 330-Reflection on first lesson-1/9/10

In the first lesson, I learnt  an  important factor about mathematics that is math is not about teaching.  Mathematics is  all  the about process of doing it through thinking and talking.  Thereafter , gaining the understanding of using the variuous strategies to solve the problem by logical reasoning, spatial  awareness , visualization, analysis and abstact thought.

In reality no one teaches math,it takes an effective teacher to  stimulate the students  to do  math by providing  various learning experinces through problem solving strategies.

I also learnt about the 7 mathematical problem solving framework  and how each  concepts  overlaps each other in developing the Singapore Mathematics Curriculum.