Enlisting and Providing Support

One question I have is about me submitting my PowerPoint slide. Should I try to submit the slide to our instructor or should I summarize the slide. I also wanted to know if a good way of receiving feedback is to have a question and answer session immediately following the presentation. I would ask the parents and teachers to take about five minutes and write down some things they do in their daily routine that require mathematics. Do you think this is a good way to elicit feedback? My feedback would also require them to make a journal about their experiences, journaling for a week. Is this a good for feedback?

I am looking for inexpensive material to add to the classroom to enhance the mathematics in the classroom. I am not just looking for items for the math and science area but throughout the classroom. For example in the dramatic play area I will go to the goodwill and purchase small, medium and large pots to for the dramatic play area.  Most of my material will be real material and will come from the goodwill or some kind of garage sale.

Below is a list of resources I used to learn more about mathematics literacy.

http://math4teaching.com/2010/03/12/what-is-mathematical-literacy/

National Numeracy for Everyone. (2013). Retrieved from What is Numeracy: http://www.nationalnumeracy.org

Bynner, J., & Parson, S. (1997). Does Numeracy Matter. New Oxford Street, London: Commonwealth House.

Developing early math skills. (n.d.). Retrieved from Birth to Three: National Centers for Infants , Toddlers and Families: http://www.zerotothree.org/child-development/early-development/supporting-early-math-skills.html

Feeney, S., Doris, C., & Moravcik, E. (2006). Who Am I in the Lives of Children. Upper Saddle River, New York: Pearson Education.

Hogan, J. (2012). MAthematics and Numeracy has anything changed: Are we any clearer? Are we on Track? Australian Mathematics Teacher, 8-11.

Mayesky, M. (1998). Creative Activities: for young children. Albany, New York : Delmar.

Mullan, Y., & Travers, J. (2010). Early Interventions in Mathematics. Reach, 95-105.

NAEYCE. (2002). Early Childhood Mathematics: Promoting Good Beginings .

Steen, L. (1989, September). Teaching Mathematics for Tommorow's World. Retrieved from St. Olaf College: http://www.stolaf.edu/people/steen/Papers/edl.html

Steen, L. (2013). The Case for Quantitative Literacy. Retrieved from Mathematical Association for America: http://www.maa.org/ql/001-22.pdf

This is a blogger who talks about mathematics literacy and how it has helped him over the years and when he taught how it applies to his everyday life.

http://blogs.plos.org/scied/2013/02/11/mathematical-literacy-a-necessary-skill-for-the-21st-century/

I used this site as a resource. Ways to incorporate it in the classroom and at home. I will have parents journaling and this has a terrific form of journaling.

http://pinterest.com/luvbcd/math-literacy/

Shawntay Advocacy Journal

A quote that you find inspirational regarding the role that advocacy can have in the lives of young children and their families. Then, post responses to the following:

"Children are our most valuable resource."

Herbert Hoover, 31st U.S. president

I picked this quote because it reminds me of the reason I am advocating for mathematics literacy. The world is very competitive, United States is falling behind with technology and children are the only way to make sure we are prepared.

•What inspires and excites you most about your advocacy plan and being an advocate?

I am most excited about the new knowledge I have gained from this advocacy topic. When I begin I did not know what it was and much about it. After doing research I learned a lot and it was completely opposite if what I thought it was. I learned new terms and It inspired me to want to know more and to enlighten my fellow educators, parents and administrators.

•What challenges and/or anxieties do you feel related to engaging in the advocacy efforts you have targeted?

I feel my greatest challenge is fully explaining the definition of mathematics literacy. Most people understand it to be mathematics and others assume it has something to do literacy. I read the comments of my colleagues and some believe it is mathematics and others believe it has something to do with literacy. However, mathematics literacy understands how mathematics affects everyday life. In particular children’s understanding that mathematics is a part of every aspect of their life.

•What do you believe will be most effective in helping you overcome any challenging emotions you may be feeling with regard to presenting and implementing your Advocacy Action Plan?

I believe presenting a presentation and fact sheet about mathematics literacy will help me overcome these challenges I am facing. I am feeling no emotions about my advocacy plan.

•How can you encourage others in their advocacy efforts, and how can others encourage you?

I can encourage others to recognize opportunities to use  mathematics terminology and concepts as the child is doing daily activities and keep a video journal of these opportunities.