My Philosophy for teaching mathematics
Mathematics, at any grade level, is rewarding to teach as well as to learn. Mathematics is an open subject where not one method, answer or solution is correct; therefore, it is my philosophy that you cannot teach mathematics in only one way. Students can find mathematics to be frustrating and fail to see the excitement and importance of it. This is where I feel as a teacher, I can show students the different sides to mathematics and the various ways to achieve the end result.
Confidence is a very important aspect needed for mathematics. Students tend to automatically assume that they will become confused before a concept has even been introduced. I believe to help students build confidence about mathematic concepts, it important to have discussions about the new material before teaching it. The more the students are aware of what problems and operations they will be faced with, the more prepared they will feel. When students feel prepared, they will less likely become nervous about a mathematic concept. I have also noticed that as students become more confident in mathematics, they are more likely to think abstract about the subject. This is a rewarding and shining moment for a teacher.
Although building confidence will help students learn mathematics, there will be students who need to be explained mathematics in a different way than the way that was planned. Teachers need to prepare themselves that each student will learn and solve problems differently. There will be students that need to use concrete materials to understand a concept such as ratios. Some students can easily break down a word problem and see what ratios they are comparing. Other students will need to use colored counters to see the ratio. In both situations, the student is learning and understanding the concept except in different ways. Teachers are expected to meet each student’s needs of learning mathematics and build confidence to achieve a level of success for the child.
It is important to keep the students involved and show them how math can be exciting. When teachers plan math lessons, they need to ensure that it is exciting, engaging and beneficial to the students. The students should be interested and aware that the lesson is worthwhile. Mathematic teachers should try to include videos, games and exercises to get the students involved and unable to talk about questioning the importance of their math lessons.
Overall, teaching mathematics can be a challenging but a gratifying and rewarding task. It is common to hear the phrase “teachers need to teach to a test”, but my philosophy is that “teachers need to teach to the students”. At the end of the day, a student’s success in a subject, especially mathematics, will be beneficial to the student and the teacher. Math is lesson that will carry through all aspects of their lives.
Confidence is a very important aspect needed for mathematics. Students tend to automatically assume that they will become confused before a concept has even been introduced. I believe to help students build confidence about mathematic concepts, it important to have discussions about the new material before teaching it. The more the students are aware of what problems and operations they will be faced with, the more prepared they will feel. When students feel prepared, they will less likely become nervous about a mathematic concept. I have also noticed that as students become more confident in mathematics, they are more likely to think abstract about the subject. This is a rewarding and shining moment for a teacher.
Although building confidence will help students learn mathematics, there will be students who need to be explained mathematics in a different way than the way that was planned. Teachers need to prepare themselves that each student will learn and solve problems differently. There will be students that need to use concrete materials to understand a concept such as ratios. Some students can easily break down a word problem and see what ratios they are comparing. Other students will need to use colored counters to see the ratio. In both situations, the student is learning and understanding the concept except in different ways. Teachers are expected to meet each student’s needs of learning mathematics and build confidence to achieve a level of success for the child.
It is important to keep the students involved and show them how math can be exciting. When teachers plan math lessons, they need to ensure that it is exciting, engaging and beneficial to the students. The students should be interested and aware that the lesson is worthwhile. Mathematic teachers should try to include videos, games and exercises to get the students involved and unable to talk about questioning the importance of their math lessons.
Overall, teaching mathematics can be a challenging but a gratifying and rewarding task. It is common to hear the phrase “teachers need to teach to a test”, but my philosophy is that “teachers need to teach to the students”. At the end of the day, a student’s success in a subject, especially mathematics, will be beneficial to the student and the teacher. Math is lesson that will carry through all aspects of their lives.