Saturday, October 11, 2008

mathematics






I use a variety of sources to develop the K/1 math program. I get materials from the web, books, and the other fabulous SK teachers.
There are two formal math programs I will be using this year: “Everyday Mathematics” and “Singapore Math”. Both these programs have strengths and weaknesses. “Everyday” provides many hands on experiences to assist children learn various mathematic concepts but this program lacks rote computation practice. Singapore is the opposite, stressing computation with very little concrete ways for children to understand why they are doing the computations. By using a combination of these programs, children get both concrete application and computation practice.

After our morning gathering each day, we have math. Math looks different on various days. Generally, the math lesson starts with a group lesson for all the children, to introduce or practice a math concept. Then the children work in their Singapore Math books. Here are a few of the things we have been working on in so far this year:
-Becoming acquainted with a number line and number chart
-Skip counting by 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s
-Making Patterns
-Recognizing geometric shapes
-Determining even and odd numbers
-Simple addition and subtraction story problems
-Reading bar graphs
-Learning mathematical symbols, =, +, -, <, and >

On Fridays, I usually set up “Math Exploration Stations”. The children choose from a variety of math activities set up in the room. Some of the activities are done in groups while others are to be worked on independently. For example, at one table children may practiced writing addition equations using dominos, at another table there is an addition board game, and at a third table, are Geo boards and rubber bands that they can use to create shapes and patterns. On the floor, are blocks and the children’s task is to see what they can build using 50 blocks.

My overall goal for the children is that they enjoy mathematics and that they strengthen their basic math knowledge and computational skill, while gaining an understanding and appreciation that one can use various strategies to discover solutions to mathematical problems.

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