Making Math Enjoyable
It is my desire to be the type of teacher who makes learning enjoyable for my students. I feel that students learn best when they are engaged in the learning process. When material is presented to students in a way that is exciting and engaging, learning can take place without them even realizing they are learning. During my service learning time in an Emotionally Disturbed Special Education class at
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One of the ways my mentor teacher approached math was by playing games. I was there to assist as they played math BINGO. The students were given a bingo card with various multiplication expressions on it, for example, 5x6, 3x4, 8x2. Each space on the bingo card had an expression in it. The teacher then pulled an answer out of the box. If the answer was 30, the students placed a marker over the space that had the expression 5x6. There were only 8 expressions on each bingo card, so the students did not feel overwhelmed and the game went on at a good pace. This activity was a review of multiplication facts and I enjoyed interacting with them as they learned. I was asked by a student if I would help him with his because he did not know his multiplication facts. As I sat next to him, he really did not need my help. It was obvious to me that he really needed attention. He knew most of his facts, but wanted a helper. This need for attention gave me an opportunity to work one-on-one with this student. As the answer was called, he would look at me and I would ask him if he needed help. He would say no and place a marker on the correct space. I would praise him for being such an expert at his math facts. He responded with a shy smile. He was aware that he knew his facts, but he needed the emotional reassurance that helped him feel better about himself. This student helped me to realize how the teacher can influence the student. I have learned that praise can make all the difference.
Another experience I had working on math with the students came when I helped the students play the game Black Widow. This is a game that the teacher created. The essence of the game is like SORRY! Each person has 4 colored markers and they are trying to be the last person left on the board. The students move around the board by answering addition and subtraction questions. If you land on a web you put your marker on the Black Widow. This was a great game for math facts and I can see how it can be used to practice many math facts including vocabulary, multiplication or division. Because the class only had 4 students this day, they all were able to play on the same board. This provided a wonderful opportunity for me to interact with the whole class at the same time. For this special education class, an activity like this teaches more than math facts, it also teaches sportsmanship. The mentor teacher and I had to continually praise each student as soon as they were out. Before the student could react to losing the game, one of us would say, “Michael,* I am so proud of the way you did not get angry when you lost the game.” If the student was about to get upset, this set them into a new frame of thought. They were able to respond in a more sportsman like way. The students were very responsive to this type of praise and positive reinforcements.
I was able to get my feet wet teaching in this classroom. I used the book Math Curse by Jon Scieszka. I enjoyed planning this lesson because I was able to see how well literature and math can blend into one assignment. My lesson included a read aloud with questions sprinkled throughout. I also created worksheets and manipulatives for the students to use after the reading. Because I only had six students to work with, I created three activities from the story and had the students work in groups of two. I used clip art to print twenty four pictures of desks that the students would use to discover factors of twenty four. The students would make six rows of four and three rows of eight. I had another group work with a clock to add and subtract time. They would start at a given time and I would tell them how long a task might take, such as, two minutes to brush my teeth. I gave them several times and tasks, they were to tell me what time it was at the end of all the tasks. I also brought pictures of sliced pizza and a sliced pie. They had a worksheet that asked them questions like, If I ate ½ pizza how many slices would I have left. Each activity had a worksheet that accompanied it. I learned that some activities work better with some students and that it would take time for me to learn what works with my own classroom.
The greatest lesson I am taking from my service learning is that teaching involves creativity. While I enjoyed creating my Math Curse lesson, I realized how much time planning a lesson can take. It is not enough to just walk in and do a lesson. I had to plan my questions and invent my worksheets. This is a wonderful way for me to utilize my creativity and I can see myself creating even more spectacular lessons in the future. The use of games and activities is endless and it is only limited by your imagination. I can see very easily how the Black Widow game can be adapted to teach any subject. Anything that a teacher needs to review facts on, vocabulary, spelling, math facts, or history dates can all be used on this game board. I learned that teaching math can be exciting and I do not have to drill and practice everything. I will be a teacher who creates the lessons that children want to participate in.
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