Module Post #5

Smart Goal Update:

Enhancing Student Engagement in Mathematical Problem Solving:

One of the last strategies I used to improve student engagement was to create a positive classroom environment. First, I began modelling positive behaviour by demonstrating respect, active listening, and problem-solving skills to my students. In addition, I separated the behaviours from the individuals and avoided negative labels. I communicated behavioural expectations clearly and consistently enforced our co-created classroom rules to create a sense of safety. I also worked on strengthening my relationships with my students by taking time to understand each student’s interests, strengths, and challenges. I also demonstrated empathy, patience, and tolerance while celebrating my students’ diversity. 

Two pieces of work:

I selected this artifact because parents play a crucial part in aiding their children’s educational development in all subjects, not just mathematics. Like our students, we must promote and sustain various parental involvement approaches to improve school and home connections. Parent engagement matters as it improves student achievement. 

Discussion post #14 is essential to me. Being a lifelong learner holds immense significance for personal growth, professional development, and overall well-being. Our students constantly evolve, and being a lifelong learner ensures that we adapt and navigate the changes effectively. When we engage in lifelong learning, we discover more creative teaching methods to meet the needs of our students.

Reflect on how the content in the Module assists you in engaging parents and providing effective program pathways for your students.

Engaging parents is crucial for student success, and the content in the Module provides valuable insights on how to foster effective collaboration between schools and families. Acknowledging and supporting learning that occurs at home is essential. Families play a significant role in their child’s academic achievement. Conversations between parents and their children about school experiences and what they’ve learned are vital to student success. Families should be involved in decision-making processes related to their child’s education. Sharing information with families about what students learn in school allows families to explore real-world connections, making math real for our students. Families play a vital role in shaping their child’s educational journey. 

Also, consider how you will continue your ongoing professional learning throughout your teaching career. 

Continuing professional learning throughout a teaching career is essential for growth and staying effective in the classroom. I plan on collaborating with colleagues by sharing experiences, insights, and challenges. Participate in PLCs where teachers discuss teaching strategies, curriculum, and student needs. As well as  I will seek mentorship from experienced educators. Learn from their wisdom and practical advice.

What new ideas, skills and approaches have you learned?

I plan on having a Parent Engagement Workshop. They are a great way to strengthen the connection between school and home. They provide an excellent opportunity for why their children learn multiple problem-solving strategies. In addition, it allows teachers to share resources that parents can use at home. And show the parents that math can be fun.

 

Thank You

 

Module Post #4

Smart Goal Update:

Enhancing Student Engagement in Mathematical Problem Solving:

I introduced Minecraft Education to teach coding to my students, aiming to increase student engagement in mathematics. Students love Minecraft because it captures their attention in a fun learning environment, helping them develop critical skills. Minecraft Education extends this learning environment. When coding with Minecraft, students can design their own worlds, build structures, and automate processes. Additionally, it allows for cross-curricular assignments in other subjects such as science, social studies, and language arts. Overall, it provides an inclusive and enjoyable environment where learners of all abilities can thrive.

Two pieces of work:

I selected my storybook as an artifact because it allows me to express my creativity. Moreover, it serves as an explanation of the assessment process. Assessment for, as, and of learning plays a pivotal role in teaching. It encourages students to reflect on their learning process, empowers them to set goals, monitor progress, and develop skills beyond the classroom—skills they will need throughout their lives.

Descriptive feedback is something I constantly use in my life. Not only do I employ it in my class, but I also apply it consistently while coaching my son's youth baseball team. It resonates with me because it is crucial to our students' learning. Providing specific information about their strengths and areas for improvement helps students understand their progress and identify their next steps.

Reflection on providing equitable assessment and evaluation for students: 

Assessment is one of the most challenging teaching areas because no two students are alike. I like how this module emphasized the importance of considering a student's diverse needs, backgrounds, and abilities. Assessments should also be tailored to promote equity and encourage transparency when grading our students. Assessment should include inclusive language and diverse examples because representation matters in assessment. One key takeaway was that students should be involved in assessment decisions by allowing them to choose assessment formats. 

What new ideas, strategies and approaches have you learned with respect to assessment and evaluation from this Module?

A new strategy I plan to implement in my classroom involves providing authentic assessments for my students. My goal is to establish real-world connections, enabling students to acquire meaningful knowledge and apply skills beyond traditional tests or quizzes. Whenever feasible, I aim to design assessments that reach an authentic audience beyond the teacher. This could involve having peers, community members, or professionals in the field assess our students' work, thereby increasing its relevance and impact. Lastly, I want my students to demonstrate their abilities in diverse ways. This assessment approach may encompass various techniques, including projects, presentations, portfolios, and performances.

Accumulative Assignment #3:

 

Accumulative Assignment #3:

Assessment In Unit of Study

The three forms of assessment that I will use in my unit of study are Conversations, Observations and Product.

Before Beginning the Unit of Study – Assessment for Learning

Before beginning my unit of study, I would have the students work in groups and jot down everything they know about Coding. When the students completed jotting down their ideas, I would create a KWL Chart with the class and their ideas they recorded in their groups. This will help me assess my student’s prior knowledge and readiness for learning coding.

During the Unit of Study – Assessment as Learning

During the lessons of my Unit of Study I would be using a few assessments strategies. By listening to my students while they are working together in their groups, I would make Observational Assessments of my students. I would also conference with each of students to gauge their level of understanding of the coding concepts. After each lesson I would have the students complete a Ticket Out the Door to assess their knowledge and understanding of the coding concepts that they had learned in the lesson. Providing these opportunities will provide me with information whether I need to adjust the content level of the learning or adjust the content of the final product.

Final Product – Assessment of Learning

After completion of all the prescribed lessons the students would create a cumulative project. The project may be adjusted to reflect what the students have learned. The students would be provided with a rubric prior to the beginning of the cumulative project so they have a clear understanding of how they will be assessed. 

Reflection on Assessment

As we proceeded through this module, I developed some new ideas for ways to improve my strategies for formative assessment in my unit study. One of the latest ideas was to create coding journals for my students as they progressed through the unit. Using a journal will reveal their thought process, problem-solving strategies, and self-awareness. Additionally, I plan to have the students peer evaluate each other’s work. This will help improve my students’ critical thinking and encourage a growth mindset. Lastly, I will create observational assessments of my students’ communication during gameplay and discussions to provide valuable insights into their thought processes.

Module Post #3

Smart Goal Update:

Enhancing Student Engagement in Mathematical Problem Solving:

I have redeveloped the classroom seating plan to further increase student engagement in my class. Naturally, I wanted to minimize disruptions and noise levels when I created the new seating plan. I separated students who didn't get along and avoided pairing talkative students. I also considered each student's characteristics when assigning each seat, and if any student had special needs (e.g., visual impairment), they were placed in the front of the classroom. When laying out the table group, I wanted to ensure that all my students' eyes would be on me to help promote focus during my lessons. Lastly, I wanted to ensure my students could easily navigate the environment to encourage engagement.

Two pieces of work:

I'm constantly using The Power of Yet in my classroom. It is an excellent motivator, helping shift our students' thinking from fixed to growth mindsets. Students understand that they can learn and improve over time. In addition, it helps the students realize that learning takes persistence and hard work. Results come from consistent effort. Lastly, it reinforces that quitting isn't an option.

One of my favourite math subjects to teach is coding. Learning to code gives our students a deeper understanding of technology. You can create collaborative coding projects to help promote teamwork and communication. Incorporating coding into the curriculum helps equip students with an essential tool for building successful careers.

Reflections on the development of your Unit Study:

The goal of my unit study was to make learning fun and engaging for my students. My unit study is a comprehensive and engaging approach to learning. It combines mathematics, coding, and collaborative work, providing a well-rounded learning experience. Students get a chance to apply their coding skills in a real-world scenario. It helps promote creativity and problem-solving skills. Students can design and build a school, engaging with concepts related to community planning and architecture. It also provides adaptations for students with learning disabilities, ensuring an inclusive learning environment.

How does it support other areas of the curriculum?

My unit study is a cross-curricular project that integrates other various subjects. The unit study requires students to present their work orally, which helps improve their communication skills. They learn to articulate their ideas clearly and persuasively, a critical language arts component. By designing and building a school, students engage with concepts related to community planning and architecture. They consider the needs of a community and how to create spaces to meet those needs, which is a part of the Social Studies Curriculum. The design aspect of the project taps into the students' creativity, which applies to the Art Curriculum. They express their artistic side by designing the school and its surroundings.

State your ideas on how you would plan or make changes to your instruction in the classroom.

I plan to develop a more in-depth student profile to better understand my students. The profiles will include my students' short—and long-term goals, academic strengths, and challenges. Lastly, I will include their preferred learning styles (e.g., auditory learner, visual learner, or tactile learner). 

Module #2 Post

 Smart Goal Update:

Enhancing Student Engagement in Mathematical Problem Solving:

My Smart Goal was to increase student engagement during math lessons by incorporating more interactive problem-solving activities. The 1^st step I have taken in my class to improve student engagement is introducing my students to Mathia. Mathia is an AI-driven 1-on-1 tutoring software that enhances student engagement by connecting to real-world problems. Mathia is an online game emphasizing problem-solving skills and connecting mathematical concepts to real-life scenarios. I intend to increase my student's engagement with practical applications of math. In addition, I have adjusted my seating plan in my classroom into table groups to encourage more collaboration among my students in an attempt for the students to share their knowledge more frequently, leading to more student engagement.

Two pieces of Work:

One of the pieces of work I selected is the infographic. I selected this work because equity in mathematics education is essential as it fosters a learning environment where every student can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstances. It provides opportunities for every student to engage, learn, and succeed in mathematics. 

The 2^nd piece of work I selected is the word cloud. I selected it because it reflects the change in math education. It also serves as a reminder that education constantly evolves, and educators must evolve with the changes.

Reflect on how the content in this Module supports your knowledge and assists you with developing effective programming and student support.

During this Module, I'm glad we discussed some of the consequences of calling attention to math misconceptions or ignoring them. I have had some difficulty with this in my classroom over the years. I don't like not addressing one of my students' misconceptions. But sometimes, addressing misconceptions of my students can be very time-consuming. I believe that addressing misconceptions needs to be a balanced approach. Prioritize misconceptions based on their impact and the context. Teachers need to address significant misconceptions that significantly impact understanding.

What new ideas, skills and approaches have you learned?

One new thing I learned during this Module is that including problem-solving activities in the classroom is essential, and I need to incorporate them more. It allows the students to see value in their learning and connects them to real-world problems. As a result, the learning becomes more purposeful and meaningful over time. Teaching through problem-solving can focus students' attention on ideas and make sense of mathematical practices. Lastly, it empowers the students to take ownership of their learning.

Artifact Module 1

The artifact I selected for Module 1 is the Foundations of Professional Practice by Ontario College of Teachers. This document reflects the collective values of the teaching profession and conveys its commitment to fostering student learning and well-being, which I firmly believe in. 

A quote representing what I learned in Module #1 is, "At the heart of a strong and effective teaching profession is a commitment to students and their learning."

A Post That Positively Impacted in Module #1- From Classmate Ally Sanderson

One high-impact instructional practice in mathematics is the use of tools and representations in the classroom. This means using different tools and representations that help student understand math concepts. I think this is most effective because involves applying mathematical concepts and techniques to real-world situations, allowing students to see the relevance of what they are learning and develop problem-solving skills. In my current unit on Spatial Sense, I implemented this by presenting students with a real-world 3D objects that they could see in read life. For example, I asked them what real-world objects do we see that are actually 3D shapes. As a class we talked about this, then they completed a scavenger hunt to find real-life objects that are 3D. I think this was effective because they understood 3D shapes on a deeper level.

This post has positively impacted me because it represents effective teaching strategies promoting understanding, application, and engagement in mathematics.