Numeracy
What my numeracy classroom will look like:
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Benefit all types of learners
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Hands on activities
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Open ended tasks
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The use of ICT
Numeracy Experiences
Knowing how your students learn is crucial in their development. If students needs aren't met, they can fall behind or get bored easily as they are not being challenged enough. I was given the chance to work with two students in Grade 6 who needed extra assistance in numeracy. They were both sitting at a Grade Prep-2 level and struggled when participating in the whole class numeracy lessons, as their basic number concepts weren't at the expected level. By providing one on one time, I helped them to understand the basic stepping-stones to help them to further their understanding of the bigger picture concepts they need for Grade 6 and beyond. They needed this explicit teaching time so they could ask questions and it gave me an understanding of what the students responded well to.
During my last placement, I designed a treasure hunt based on measurement. The class showed a lack of understanding when faced with a maths test based on questions from various topics they had studied. From this I designed a unit of work to focus on the areas of measurement the whole class seemed to have gaps in. As you can see I differentiated the type of treasure hunt the students could follow on and do. I paired the students up based on their skill levels so they could help each other and work together. The higher order thinking students were given the questions containing circles. This allowed them to challenge themselves by applying their knowledge to real objects in the classroom. The students at level were given the opportunity to test their knowledge and be challenged with some of the questions presented to them. This partnership gave them the chance to teach each other and discuss the problems and see if they can solve it using teamwork.
Numeracy is a key learning area in student development. As a teacher, I will encourage students to challenge themselves and cater for their individual needs so they can develop themselves into becoming critical thinkers.
Teacher feedback from my Second Practicum during a Maths Class.
