My philosophy of math is more creative than the usual essay. It includes pictures and math terms within it, to show, rather than tell you, about my philosophy of teaching mathematics. This document will continue to grow as I gain more knowledge, skills, and experience in the field of math education. I hope that by reading my statements below, you can see what I believe, the actions I will take within the classroom, and my understanding of elementary math concepts.
The Great Eight for Teaching Mathematics
I believe that there is not just one general formula when it comes to teaching children math; therefore I will become aware of each child’s shifting abilities and needs. I will get to know them individually, understanding their interests, strengths, and weaknesses. This will allow me to learn how I can help each child better succeed socially, academically, and emotionally within my math class. I will do my best to incorporate their different learning styles and multiple intelligences into my math lessons, by presenting material orally, visually, and hands-on. I do not want to merely lecture and then give my students homework. I want them to comprehend how math will be useful in their lives and understand the meaning behind the rules, theorems, and various methods I teach them. I know that this might create extra work for me, but I think that, “Differences can create the challenges in life that open the doors to possibilities.”
I believe that there is a wide range of subjects that should be constant in a child’s education; therefore I will make sure to incorporate music, writing, experiments, and art into my math lessons, so my students will be well-rounded, and see that math can be associated with other areas. For example, I can have them write poems about shapes or listen to music for patterns. There should always be a way to connect subjects, like math, across the curriculum.
I believe that every child can measure up to their full potential; therefore I will present my students with opportunities to discover their own solutions to mathematical problems. I will try to understand their thinking and how they reached their answers. I will magnify their self-confidence by giving them praise for the work they accomplish on homework and other assignments. I believe that encouraging my students to think for themselves will allow them to reach to greater heights because I know “If you can simply learn to think well, you will have plenty of career and education options to choose from.”
I believe close relationships among my students is important; therefore I will let them work in groups and partners on various math assignments. I will create projects and activities that allow students to share their ideas and creativity with each other. I will still make sure they have independent work, but I think it is important to unify, not divide, my students. I like what Helen Keller once said about group work, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.”
![j0296967[1].gif](https://file.taskstream.com/file/bpdom0U842h0HyungvMyyhl0Mb07fgdWvyd4vY1jt95Mt3yd9cR9nya6N6v0ymcO34mn4cFpc338bWjj277cDqc31edL9utfabA71ffabYsi5i/j0296967[1].gif)
I believe that there are countless number of ways to present a math lesson besides out of a standard textbook; therefore I will use interactive math websites, hands-on manipulatives, and real-life situations, to hopefully minimize any negative feelings my students have about math. I want them to have a positive attitude, and I believe by creating enjoyable activities to understand the material, my students will look forward to math class everyday. I have already designed a math WebQuest, located various lesson plans, and compiled a list of math websites that will give my students opportunities to learn math, while enjoying it at the same time. I know that what Oliver Wendell Holmes said is true about letting my students imagine, "Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions."
I believe how I act strongly reflects upon my students; therefore I will make sure I am a positive role model for them. I will show my students how to be respectful to myself and their peers, while understanding one another’s differences. I will also show enthusiasm for the material I am presenting, so my students will be more excited about being in class each day. I will show them how I arrived at my solutions, but still allow them to figure out their own way. I will find the time to actively be involved in my students’ activities inside and outside of school. I might even try creating an extracurricular activity, such as math club, where children could be properly supervised and learn math at the same time. All this ties into the thought that "If you set the right example, you won't need to worry about the rules."
I believe that children are our future; therefore I will do my absolute best at providing them with all the resources I can for them to lead a productive life. I want to ensure they are receiving a strong education because they are the future leaders of our society. I will encourage them to try new approaches, develop sound reasoning, and look at math and life from all different angles. I never want them to think they can not do something. For example, girls tend to think subjects such as math and science are not for them, but I want to prove they can succeed at anything. I want them to know that as long as they attempt to do their best they can accomplish whatever their heart desires. This connects with the thought that, “In math you use many angles, but you should always use the try-angle.”
I believe that becoming a teacher is an infinite process; therefore I will always be adding to my professional development. I will participate in multiple career furthering opportunities, such as observing experienced teachers, taking educational courses, and attending workshops. I will keep taking math courses with a positive attitude to better understand the material I will one day have to present. To sum it all up, I will always be a teacher. I have the power to change the future! But one thing I must remember, stated by Dr. Richard Ramsey, is that “Good teaching comes not from behind the desk, but from behind the heart.”
*Graphics
Stacked Books Clip art licensed from the
Woman Studying graphic from Big Box of Art CD
All other graphics from Micrsoft Office Clip Art
Please wait...