Mathematics is not about numbers, equaions, computations or algorithm;
it is about understanding. -William Paul Thurston
it is about understanding. -William Paul Thurston
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Mathematics:
Mathematics has always been my most favorite subject. Jodo Gyan had been so discussed in Heritage academics that I was eagerly waiting for Saji class to understand exactly Jodo Gyan and the way it works wonderfully. Jodo Gyan has a proven approach and framework on teaching mathematics. It was a learning opportunity for me. He emphasized that one should know why do we do certain concepts. This answer here helps children to relate to that concept as they know the use of learning that concept (ex. multiplication or fraction). So now when I prepare/execute any lesson plan my first question to myself is why I am doing it. Sometime, asking these kind questions help me learn and grow
My approach of teaching mathematics is to build a localized context before getting into required concepts. The concept can be any story or a brief history behind it. The stories from real life and settings help children visualize the mathematics and connect to them. These stories can be framed with basic things and situations around e.g. “need of negative numbers arose from the concept of debt”.
Hence, while introducing integers, it is best to use a contextual setting around the principle of debt. By doing this, need for the concept becomes obvious, and children learn it intuitively. Once they have the story, the problem can be introduced. Mathematics is nothing but a journey from a problem to the solution. The approach used to solve the problem based on a concept that had to be understood by the children. By doing this, they are learning the concepts as well as are able to relate to it in a better way.
This helps children to understand, retain and use the concept optimally in problem solving. I also feel that during concept discussion we can bring the history and evolution of that concept. This keeps children hooked up and widens their vision for the purpose of doing it. Human brain is curious and wants to know the purpose behind anything but conventional methods of teaching mathematics seldom answered it. In my personal context, I have developed the habit of answer the big why for every concept I start on.
In Jodo Gyan methodology, it is emphasized on arriving to a solution which can be done in multiple ways, it necessarily DONOT encourage teaching a particular method for this. It is equally important for the children to discuss different strategies among themselves and arrive to the best solution. This discussion helps children in two ways. Firstly, it gives an opportunity to a child to teach his strategy to the others in group. This also helps her to clear her concepts and thinking. Secondly, it helps other children to learn from this discussion. Critical thinking is very important aspect of education and mathematics provides ample opportunity to work on grooming critical thinking capabilities.
I, as teacher, prefer to go from near to the far with any topic. For e.g., when I have to teach multiplication in the class, I would frame a word problem with number of student in each section and then to find out total number of student in that grade instead of bringing word problem from non localized settings. Visualization of problems is an important aspect in mathematics and I would like to use this as much as possible during problem solving. I have experienced this in our fraction class. When we started with cake and cutting it into number of pieces to discuss fraction, I observed, children were able to visualize cake and its pieces and that helped them understand it better. I also like to do lots of practical works in the class so that children get enough opportunity to visualize, conceptualize and understand the problem solving skills in most efficient way. Mathematics is the mother of all sciences and surely a strong foundation in mathematical skills has potential to help children in other area of their academic growth.
Teaching of language:
Language plays an important role in every aspect of our life and it does help in overall growth of children in their academic excellence. Irrespective of subject matter, whether science, mathematics or other social studies, language builds the core and helps understand the subject better.
During IAAT course works, I got an opportunity to attend Kaye’s and Sonika’s session on language. These series of sessions on language, its application and importance brought a new dimension and perspective in my thought. In fact, being a science student I always used to undermine the relevance of good skills of language. Sonika helped us to understand the meaning and importance of readiness in reading and writing at early age. She also discussed on its important to first develop interests and likings for the language rather than going to other forms of language. In a child, development of language skill starts at very early age and grows slowly. In early days, a small child expresses his ideas through drawing or scribble which is also another form of language. During this course, I truly realized that language is in-fact a means to communicate and can be done in various form. The beauty of expression through language is more important than putting right punctuation and grammar in language. A child should be encouraged to understand the meaning of a comprehension more than to correct mistakes in vocabulary or writings first. While teaching language class, my first guiding thought will be to foster creative interests and understanding in the children rather than to emphasis more on grammar in the beginning, which can be learnt easily.
During this course and class engagements, I observed that it very important to expose children to a variety of readings. This helps than to comprehend as well as develop their learning as to how to write. It also exposes children to build the context in many subjects by bringing varieties in readings.
Planning plays an important part in any write-ups and can be developed in children from an early age. Discussion, brainstorm and mind mapping techniques and tools help them learn to plan and arrange their writings and further elaborate it appropriately.
Additionally, it is very important that children should not be restricted to a limited variety of topics rather they should be encouraged to choose topics of their own choice.
Language is a pure form of expression. For better reading skill buildup, I would prefer managing a variety of appropriately chosen literature to children in the class; these should not be limited to their age/grade level. I would like children to pickup these books and choose the one that interest them the most. Surely, they will enjoy readings of their choice.
In language skills, writing is equally important skills as it helps express the knowledge, thought and the intent effectively in written form. Primarily, through this mode only one is able to transpose one’s thought to a different person sitting far off. Planning the writing is important, children should be taught to brainstorm, build the ideas and then plan to write effectively. These processes of thinking, planning and writing are important constituent elements of a good writing and should be learnt to develop effective, meaningful writing skills.
Back
Mathematics:
Mathematics has always been my most favorite subject. Jodo Gyan had been so discussed in Heritage academics that I was eagerly waiting for Saji class to understand exactly Jodo Gyan and the way it works wonderfully. Jodo Gyan has a proven approach and framework on teaching mathematics. It was a learning opportunity for me. He emphasized that one should know why do we do certain concepts. This answer here helps children to relate to that concept as they know the use of learning that concept (ex. multiplication or fraction). So now when I prepare/execute any lesson plan my first question to myself is why I am doing it. Sometime, asking these kind questions help me learn and grow
My approach of teaching mathematics is to build a localized context before getting into required concepts. The concept can be any story or a brief history behind it. The stories from real life and settings help children visualize the mathematics and connect to them. These stories can be framed with basic things and situations around e.g. “need of negative numbers arose from the concept of debt”.
Hence, while introducing integers, it is best to use a contextual setting around the principle of debt. By doing this, need for the concept becomes obvious, and children learn it intuitively. Once they have the story, the problem can be introduced. Mathematics is nothing but a journey from a problem to the solution. The approach used to solve the problem based on a concept that had to be understood by the children. By doing this, they are learning the concepts as well as are able to relate to it in a better way.
This helps children to understand, retain and use the concept optimally in problem solving. I also feel that during concept discussion we can bring the history and evolution of that concept. This keeps children hooked up and widens their vision for the purpose of doing it. Human brain is curious and wants to know the purpose behind anything but conventional methods of teaching mathematics seldom answered it. In my personal context, I have developed the habit of answer the big why for every concept I start on.
In Jodo Gyan methodology, it is emphasized on arriving to a solution which can be done in multiple ways, it necessarily DONOT encourage teaching a particular method for this. It is equally important for the children to discuss different strategies among themselves and arrive to the best solution. This discussion helps children in two ways. Firstly, it gives an opportunity to a child to teach his strategy to the others in group. This also helps her to clear her concepts and thinking. Secondly, it helps other children to learn from this discussion. Critical thinking is very important aspect of education and mathematics provides ample opportunity to work on grooming critical thinking capabilities.
I, as teacher, prefer to go from near to the far with any topic. For e.g., when I have to teach multiplication in the class, I would frame a word problem with number of student in each section and then to find out total number of student in that grade instead of bringing word problem from non localized settings. Visualization of problems is an important aspect in mathematics and I would like to use this as much as possible during problem solving. I have experienced this in our fraction class. When we started with cake and cutting it into number of pieces to discuss fraction, I observed, children were able to visualize cake and its pieces and that helped them understand it better. I also like to do lots of practical works in the class so that children get enough opportunity to visualize, conceptualize and understand the problem solving skills in most efficient way. Mathematics is the mother of all sciences and surely a strong foundation in mathematical skills has potential to help children in other area of their academic growth.
Teaching of language:
Language plays an important role in every aspect of our life and it does help in overall growth of children in their academic excellence. Irrespective of subject matter, whether science, mathematics or other social studies, language builds the core and helps understand the subject better.
During IAAT course works, I got an opportunity to attend Kaye’s and Sonika’s session on language. These series of sessions on language, its application and importance brought a new dimension and perspective in my thought. In fact, being a science student I always used to undermine the relevance of good skills of language. Sonika helped us to understand the meaning and importance of readiness in reading and writing at early age. She also discussed on its important to first develop interests and likings for the language rather than going to other forms of language. In a child, development of language skill starts at very early age and grows slowly. In early days, a small child expresses his ideas through drawing or scribble which is also another form of language. During this course, I truly realized that language is in-fact a means to communicate and can be done in various form. The beauty of expression through language is more important than putting right punctuation and grammar in language. A child should be encouraged to understand the meaning of a comprehension more than to correct mistakes in vocabulary or writings first. While teaching language class, my first guiding thought will be to foster creative interests and understanding in the children rather than to emphasis more on grammar in the beginning, which can be learnt easily.
During this course and class engagements, I observed that it very important to expose children to a variety of readings. This helps than to comprehend as well as develop their learning as to how to write. It also exposes children to build the context in many subjects by bringing varieties in readings.
Planning plays an important part in any write-ups and can be developed in children from an early age. Discussion, brainstorm and mind mapping techniques and tools help them learn to plan and arrange their writings and further elaborate it appropriately.
Additionally, it is very important that children should not be restricted to a limited variety of topics rather they should be encouraged to choose topics of their own choice.
Language is a pure form of expression. For better reading skill buildup, I would prefer managing a variety of appropriately chosen literature to children in the class; these should not be limited to their age/grade level. I would like children to pickup these books and choose the one that interest them the most. Surely, they will enjoy readings of their choice.
In language skills, writing is equally important skills as it helps express the knowledge, thought and the intent effectively in written form. Primarily, through this mode only one is able to transpose one’s thought to a different person sitting far off. Planning the writing is important, children should be taught to brainstorm, build the ideas and then plan to write effectively. These processes of thinking, planning and writing are important constituent elements of a good writing and should be learnt to develop effective, meaningful writing skills.
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