Math Lesson

This past Wednesday was the first time I held my first lesson, aside from the time I took over the class with a substitute.

The lesson lasted about an hour and I was charged with teaching math. More specifically, I was to teach conversions between fractions and decimals. I took the student math book home with me and went over the lesson and the book's example. I also reflected on my math class and how we should be teaching math. I wanted the lesson to be very open and discursive. I wanted students to explain their reasoning and have other students respond to everyone's strategies or beliefs about math. Over the last several weeks, and especially through our child study, we have learned how important it is to have a student orally explain their reasoning. Not only does it promote fluency but you get an accurate assessment of students' actual understanding of math.

Overall, the lesson plan went well but I received an unfortunate assessment that our students are behind. Although they are learning converting fractions to decimals and the reverse, they still do not have a good understanding of division. Aside from a small group of students, the majority had difficulties because they couldn't get passed division. Thus, I had to sit down and teach division. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to finish but I was at least able to get a better understanding of where my students stand.

It was difficult to see the students struggle and know how far behind they were. There was a lot of frustration but I was also thrilled by the opportunity to help them. Long division is a practical skill that not only can I teach but wold provide monumental gains in their testing.

I am now writing my lesson plan for part of my term 3 assignment and to no surprise, I am planning to focus on division. I hope to make considerable gains.