Teresa-Marie's Math Mindset

          As our time comes to an end, our course covers the last important aspect of being a well-informed instructor: assessment. Although this word is not new for us as second year teacher candidates, assessment is an important aspect to take into consideration when teaching students. As one can note from the image below, there are many branches to assessment; many areas that help students demonstrate their understanding of concepts. Spencer Burton. Assessment: A Stool Metaphor . [Online Image]. 2016           To begin this week's exploration, teacher candidates were asked to read various documents; one being the ministry document of Supporting your Child's Learning through Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting . One of the most important aspects for pre-service and in-service teachers to take in from this document is that "the importance of assessment and evaluation is to improve student ...

          Let's imagine ourselves in a classroom in front of our class with a new activity involving just a worksheet and minimal discussion with classmates. As you circulate the room to make observations, you realize that the students are disengaged and not focusing on the task at hand. After the lesson, you further reflect on what went wrong. Why were the students disengaged? What could you have modified to change the outcome of the lesson? Is there a different approach one could take to extend learning for all types of learners in the classroom?  via GIPHY An innovative strategy to help students stay engaged in the classroom is through the use of blended learning activities. According to a video resource presented by Edugains , blended learning is a "combination of face-to-face and online learning." Through this strategy, educators help teach concepts and differentiate learning for all types of learners in the classroom. ...

          As educators, how do we determine what constitutes as a rich mathematical task? Yes we are able to provide students with math problems. However, in what manner are we able to provide students with problems that supply a deeper understand of concepts? via GIPHY One way educators are able to provide this understanding is through the use of rick tasks. According to the article titled What is a Mathematically Rick Task? , the author Steve Hewson suggests that "rich tasks open up mathematics. They transform the subject from a collection of memorized procedures and facts into a living, connected whole." As students are able to learn through rich mathematical tasks, they are able to delve deep into a math concept; utilizing their opportunity to use critical thinking skills as they problem solve through  questions.In addition, students will be able to generate their own ideas about solving problems that are accessible to...