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Showing posts from October, 2023

Oct. 20 Provincial Pro-D plan and reflection

Summary: The provided information highlights key principles and responsibilities in the context of inclusive education for students with special needs in British Columbia. It emphasizes the central role of classroom teachers in designing, supervising, and assessing individualized educational programs. Collaboration among educators and specialists is stressed to ensure a coordinated approach. Teacher assistants play a significant role in implementing these programs under the guidance of a teacher. Data collection for student progress may involve teacher assistants, but the primary responsibility for evaluation and reporting to parents lies with the teachers. Thoughts: I appreciate the commitment to inclusive education in British Columbia, as reflected in the emphasis on collaboration and individualized support. What I like most about this approach is the recognition of the diverse roles played by educators, specialists, and teacher assistants in creating an inclusive learning environmen...

The Giant Soup Can of Hornby Island puzzle

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The actual dimensions of a Campbell's Soup can are approximately 51 cm in height and 41 cm in width. Comparatively, the bike's height is around 110 cm. Upon examining the photo, it appears that the tank's height or width is approximately 2.5 times that of the bike, which suggests a measurement of roughly 275 cm. Taking into account the ratio of height to width found in the can, we can estimate the tank's length to be approximately 342 cm. With these dimensions in mind (342 cm in height and 275 cm in width), we can calculate the tank's volume using the formula for the volume of a cylinder, yielding a value of approximately 20.3 cubic meters. It's worth noting that, on average, around 3,000 gallons of water are used during a house fire. Converting this amount to approximately 11.4 cubic meters, we can conclude that the estimated tank volume of 20.3 cubic meters would be sufficient for firefighting purposes. My own puzzle: You're out for a walk in the afternoon...

Assignment #2: Group curricular microteaching reflection

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We conducted a lesson focusing on the subject of two-variable linear relationships. During the lesson, I introduced the important concepts of interpolation and extrapolation using a practical example. While I observed active engagement from the classmates during the group discussions and worksheet activities, my classmate's feedback highlighted the need to increase the volume of my voice to ensure clarity, especially in the presence of other group discussions. Additionally, I learned the importance of streamlining the information presented on the slides to prevent overwhelming the audience. Additionally, a classmate recommended incorporating gender-neutral language, instead of using terms like 'guys,' to create a more inclusive classroom environment. Finally, I acknowledged the importance of refining my classroom management skills for more effective teaching.

Assignment #2: Group curricular microteaching: Math 9 Two Variable Linear Relations Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan Oct. 16 Pearl, Shawn, Christine Lesson Objective: Students will learn and understand two-variable linear relations, including graphing relation, analyzing and interpreting real-world scenarios using these relations. Graphing Interpolation Extrapolation   Time: 20 minutes Learning Activities: Beginning - Shawn (5 min) : Discuss the concept of linear relations and their significance in math and real life. Modeling and Prediction: Linear relations are used as models in various mathematical disciplines. They are employed in fields like statistics, physics, and engineering to predict outcomes based on known data and to analyze trends and patterns. Economics: In economics, linear relations are used to model supply and demand, production costs, revenue, and profit. Linear models help businesses make pricing and production decisions. Social Sciences: Linear relations are used to analyze trends in data, whether in demographics, education, or public health. They help in understan...

Individual microteaching: reflection

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I presented how to fold paper airplanes in class. I showed two different folding methods: one that can fly farther and another that has a better appearance. After folding their respective paper airplanes, we tested whose paper plane could fly the farthest in the hallway. Through the test, we were able to assess everyone's learning outcomes and increase their enthusiasm for participation.  The method of teaching while demonstrating proved effective in capturing the everyone's attention. The post-folding test in the hallway further enhanced their engagement, which was a positive outcome. However, I recognized that my instructions during the teaching process could have been more concise. At times, they were verbose, which inadvertently extended the teaching time. Moving forward, I aim to improve this aspect of my teaching to ensure a more efficient and effective learning experience.

Homework reading: What is meant by 'curriculum'?

The article raises an essential concern about the impact of the implicit curriculum in schools, particularly how extrinsic rewards and competition can influence student behavior. It calls into question the long-term consequences of teaching compliance and the potential reliance on external rewards for motivation. It prompts a necessary pause for reflection on the role of schools in nurturing intrinsic motivation and preparing students for real-world challenges, where values and virtues should be rooted in a richer soil than marketplace competition. The article's exploration of time allocation and its effect on students' perception of subjects like the arts is another thought-provoking stop. It highlights how scheduling and prioritization of subjects can send implicit messages about their importance and nature. It's a reminder to consider the broader implications of seemingly practical decisions in education and how they can shape students' attitudes and beliefs about ...

Individual microteaching-Paper plane

Topic: Paper plane Lesson Plan: Objective: By the end of this 10-minute lesson, students will be able to create and fly a basic paper plane Materials: Sheets of paper (A4 size) Pencils Rulers Markers or chalk Activities: Begin (1 minute) ·           Ask students if they have ever made paper planes before and if they know any fun facts about them. ·           Explain that in this short lesson, they will learn how to create their paper planes. Middle (6 minutes) ·          Demonstrate the steps of folding a basic paper plane. Show it physically for the class. ·          Have students follow along and fold their own paper planes. ·          Emphasize the importance of neat folding for better flight performance. ·          Discuss the d...

The Teaching Perspectives Inventory

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Apprenticeship with a total score of 37 is the dominant teaching perspective for me. Scores on Developmental and nurturing are the same. Score on Transmission is slightly lower than developmental and nurturing and the lowest score happen to be Social Reform. The lowest score on Social Reform suggests that l may be less inclined towards a teaching perspective that aims to bring about broader societal change through education, which surprises me a bit. As a new teacher l would like to know how do teaching perspectives align with the diverse needs and backgrounds of our students? Recognizing that students have varied learning preferences and abilities, how can we ensure that our teaching approach remains inclusive and accessible to all students, regardless of their preferred learning style?

Homework reading: Battleground Schools

First key point that stood out to me was the recurring nature of debates and conflicts in mathematics education in North America. The article highlights how arguments between progressive and traditionalist approaches have persisted throughout the 20th century and into the 21st century. This historical pattern suggests that finding a consensus in mathematics education has proven challenging and that differing views on the subject continue to resurface over time. The article underscores the influence of political and social contexts on mathematics education. Changes in leadership, economic conditions, and societal concerns have shaped educational policies and curriculum reforms. For instance, the Cold War competition and economic anxieties played a role in the New Math movement, while later shifts toward neoliberalism and accountability measures influenced educational policies in the late 20th century. This highlights the interconnectedness of mathematics education with broader political...

Math art projects: reflective

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In our group project, we embarked on an intriguing collaboration to expand upon a mathematical artwork inspired by the works of Carlo H. Séquin, which closely related to knot theory. Our choice of this artwork stemmed from a desire to introduce young learners to the notion that mathematics extends far beyond mere numbers and arithmetic; it encompasses a rich world of graphics and intricate patterns that can evolve into advanced applications in our daily lives. Séquin's artistic focus centered on the mesmerizing figure 8 knot and the enigmatic 5_2 knot, which served as the foundational elements of our creative exploration. By introducing these knots, we discovered an effective way to illustrate complex 3D structures through 2D projections, offering an engaging educational tool for students intrigued by the captivating realm of mathematics. Drawing inspiration from Séquin's approach, we concentrated on utilizing four strands of different materials to create repetitive knot patter...