Journal+Topics

Topics you can use for your four required journal entries. The journal entries can be done on a blog, emailed to me, or done in written format.

First Journal - Oct. 10 Second Journal - Oct. 30 Third Journal - Nov. 13 Fourth Journal - Nov. 27**
 * Here is a schedule of when they should be completed by:

Here are some prompts you can use to organize your thoughts:


 * 1) What is problem solving or problem based learning and what role does it have in an effective mathematics classroom?
 * 2) What chapter/topic/activity had the greatest impact on developing your knowledge of mathematics and teaching this concept to young children? Why?
 * 3) Why should teachers not use workbooks in a primary classroom? What restrictions do workbooks have on student learning? What other instructional strategies could teachers use to replace the workbook?
 * 4) What role does the curriculum play in your teaching of mathematics? How will you become prepared to teach from the mathematics document during your pre-internship/internship?
 * 5) Do students need to be given algorithms to memorize or should the develop their own "rules" of mathematics? Why? What could these invented "rules" of mathematics look like?
 * 6) What is the biggest challenge you will face in teaching mathematics and how will you overcome this challenge?
 * 7) What are the characteristics of a classroom environment that would support interaction between students? As a teacher, what can you do to encourage your students to learn with and from their peers in a math community? What other aspects of small group work become important in fostering peer interaction?
 * 8) Since mathematical ideas cannot be passively "poured into" a passive learner, describe how children must be actively engaged in their learning in order to construct ideas.
 * 9) How will you incorporate some of the strategies for effective math teaching into your math lessons?
 * 10) Would you consider yourself a good problem solver? Why or why not? In what ways can the teaching of problem solving help develop the belief in students that they are capable of doing mathematics and that mathematics makes sense?
 * 11) Consider these two statements: "Show how you got your answer" and "Explain why you think your answer is correct." What types of expectations does each of these statements make of students?
 * 12) When teaching through problem solving, the decision of what to tell students and what not to tell students is a dilemma you will face. Why should you be careful not to tell students too much? What are some things to keep in mind about when it is appropriate to provide students with information?
 * 13) What are some of the benefits of having students writing in math journals as opposed to just writing on a single sheet of paper that can be turned in separately? Young children, even prewriters and beginning writers, should be involved in providing written explanations of their reasoning. What are some ways to involve young children learners in using math journals?
 * 14) What is the purpose of student self-assessment? Describe some ways to engage children in self-assessment of their mathematics learning, disposition, and behaviour.
 * 15) Since assessment should be an open process, what are some ways you can make students aware of your expectations for acceptable and exceptional performance in mathematics?
 * 16) How should word problems be used for mathematics instruction? What are some cautions to be aware of when using word problems?
 * 17) What are the characteristics of an efficient strategy? For example there is a strategy for 6 + 7 that is efficient and one that is not efficient. What are some teaching points that you should keep in mind as you help children develop efficient strategies?