I interviewed K.Y a teacher at Mary Crane Lake
and Pulaski. I wanted to know more about the math curriculum and assessment in
her classroom. I asked her how she felt about the approach teaching strategies
use. She replied “teaching strategies use a positive and appropriate approach
however the emphasis from other agencies requires teachers to put a greater emphasis
on literacy development” I noticed the take
home assignments for parents were mainly about literacy development and early literacy.
Also I noticed environment encouraged more
literacy development however not as much early mathematics. The teacher did a
lot of writing and reading with the child but only a minimum amount for mathematics.
The small group activities were more focused on literacy development and they
participated in very basic mathematics skills such as recognizing numbers and matching.
I believe teachers must be comfortable with their
own math skills before they can teach math to children. At the preschool level we
should introduce problem solving skills to small children. We should introduce
word problems to children to help them activate problem solving skills. We should move beyond the basics to help them be better prepared for elementary education.
I would agree with you that teachers must feel comfortable teaching math to children and many teachers are not comfortable because it did not come easy to them as a child. Now a days there are so many college classes you can take on teaching of math skills, breaking down math concepts, strategies for teaching math to students with difficulties that it is worth taking the classes because math literacy is very important for academic success.
ReplyDeleteShawntay,
ReplyDeleteI thinkn that you are so right when you say that the teachers need to be comfortable with their own skills before they can teach the children. As math is my favorite subject, I enjoy teaching that to young children. However, right now I am taking the teaching science class and it is hard because that is not a favorite. I am going to think about your words when I am working with the children and hopefully I can help them in their elementary school years. Nice blog, keep up the encouraging words.
Shawntay,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you words about being comfortable with our own skills before teaching math. I am not good with math, but it is not all about numbers. It about teaching concepts such as big and small, tall and short, least and most. The children need to learn about patterns and time of day and so on. I use a curriculum specific to math and when I plan my lessons there is a math lesson for each day. It is important that the children learn these concepts before they get to kindergarten. Having prior knowledge and experience will be helpful.
Hi Shawntay,
ReplyDeleteI admire your passion for teaching mathematics in the early childhood classroom. You are certainly of the minority, but no less important. What are the ages of the children that you are working with? It sounds to me like preschool or kindergarten. Laying the foundation for a love of mathematics early is important for later success in math. There are so many tools that we can use as early childhood educators to prepare our very young for the later exposure to math. I think that it is a common mistake for teachers to place an emphasis on literacy as there is such an obvious push for it, but there are ways for teachers to incorporate math into other curriculum areas and I think it is fun to be creative with it.
Hi, Michelle
ReplyDeleteI work with preschoolers specifically those going to kindergarten next year. As a headstart teacher I've been observed from different programs about literacy development but very little about mathematics. I am always pushing for literacy but not math.
I think you have an excellent topic becuase this is a debate about teaching mathemics. Some teachers don't feel comfortable with teaching it and others feel very comfortable. I think the confusion comes in with making sure teachers understand who they are teaching and how they can make sure that students understand and not left behind.
ReplyDelete