K-8 Mathematics Course – Contructivist Directions
http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/math/framework_k-8/document.pdf
This is the link for the “new direction” that Manitoba Education and Training is hoping educators will buy into and live in their classrooms. I am already a living, breathing example of one who embraces constructivist and fostering a positive “affect” in the cognitive discipline called mathematics! I can’t wait for a critical mass of colleagues to build up.
Here are my reflections so far on the article, “Adding it up: helping children learn mathematics” by Kilpatrick, Swafford and Findell, Washington, 2001. I like the acknowledgement of the 5 interwoven strands of:
a) conceptual understanding
b) prodecural fluency
c) strategic competence
d) adaptive reasoning
e) productive disposition – see sense in math, feel it is useful, believe in one’s math ability through perseverance and positivity. The teacher has a major role in helping create, build and maintain a positive attitude towards mathematics.
These 5 strands provide a broader, deeper view of proficiency in mathematics. It also points to the need for educators to identify common pinch points (areas of trouble) in math for students and multiple ways to have students experience them.
This is why I’m involved in my school division’s Edutube project. I will be using Microsoft Community Clips and other software to record lessons relating to grade 9 curricular outcomes and sharing them online. Can’t wait to get started.
