Understanding Mathematics
well planned should examine whether 6 areas are present.
These
are; high standards and strong support
for students,
curriculum that is focused and coherent, teaching that
challenge
and support students. Next would be learning with
understanding from prior
knowledge, assessment for
students to find new information, and lastly
technology like calculators and computers are
used to enhance learning.
The Math classroom should also have 6 components
:
-
an environment that gives students an equal
opportunity to learn
-
teaching that has a balance of both conceptual
understanding and procedural fluency
-
ensures active student participation in problem
solving, reasoning, communications, connections and representation
-
use of technology to improve understanding
-
emphasis on reasoning of math
Parents also need to know what it means to
understand math in today’s classroom. Relational understanding means knowing
what to do and why, while the opposite is instrumental understanding (just
doing without understanding). Thus students who have proficiency in math would
have mastery in 5 areas :
-
conceptual understanding : knowledge about the
relationship between ideas in a topic.
-
Procedural fluency : able to use rules and procedures
in carrying out math processes.
-
Strategic competence : able to use different methods
to eventually solve a problem.
-
Adaptive reasoning : able to reflect, evaluate and
adapt or use different methods.
-
Productive disposition : when solving a problem you
should rely on a how to and applying your knowledge rather than a recall method
of how you can solve it.
I trust these
points in mind would make parents see Math in a different light.. Math is not
to be approached through rote drilling and countless worksheets but with
crystal clear thought and understanding.
By : Marina Ho Mee Lin
SEED - BSC08
By : Marina Ho Mee Lin
SEED - BSC08
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