6th April 2013
EDU 330 Math (Day 6 )

Today was the last day of the module. We did review of previous lessons, differentiated instructions and graphic activity . Differentiated instructions is an interesting topic as we needed to look for the less probable  answer.
Creating a good lesson plan for conducting Math lesson requires the teacher to understand the What's, How  and What ifs.
Just like teaching English lesson, we introduce the KWL(Know-Want to Know- Learned) strategy in learning.
Likewise in Maths, the teachers planning an activity has to ask herself questions on what outcome she wants from the Math activity she conducts. In the lesson planning she will need to consider:
1. What I want students to learn?
    - The goal
2. How do I know?
    - They have learnt (assessment)
3. What if they can't?
    - To use concrete materials to explain
4. What if they can ?
    -  They do themselves


The most valuable lessons I am taking away from this module (apart for the maths activities practice) are the ideas of CPA approach and the 3 stages of teaching children.

The CPA (concrete-pictorial-abstract). The different stages of learning are concrete approach; through providing objects as manipulative; are necessary to help child with solving problems, items such as unifix, cubes and etc.
The next step of learning would be to use pictorial; the model method .This helps child understand word problem better and covers other types of maths learning such as ratio, average etc.
The abstract approach is applicable to primary level using symbolic representation such as  numbers, letters.

There are 3 stages of teaching children:
- Stage 1 - modelling
- Stage 2 - scaffolding-  this will be removed when the child is independent
- Stage 3 -   When they do themselves- providing enrichment if child is able to advance learning.
To achieve all this, children need to work in a stimulating environment.

We presented Mr.Yeap with a parting gift of a bottle of cookies with a problem sum, which I thought was ingenious of the planner. We ended up solving the problem together.  Finally the class ended with a Math quiz... sigh...

Today I leave the classroom enriched with new ideas of teaching young children Maths. Back then,If only my teacher was supportive when teaching Maths, I would have had a love for Maths at an early age. For sure  I will see to it that the children are not deprive of this learning experience.

THANKS MR YEAP!!