ToonDoo Math 1512: Post #4

For my Math 1512 class, we made something called a ToonDoo.  We used a free online software called ToonDoo.  It's a site where ordinary people can create cartoons/comic strips.  At first, I was super frustrated with the program.  When I started playing around with it a bit more, it was a lot of fun!  I'll share one of my ToonDoos with you here. 

This ToonDoo was about rounding.  I think that students will remember more of the concepts we teach them if we give them a reason to remember.  During the middle of a breakdown on a standardized test, I hope my students will remember my our high-energy discussion about rounding, or my cartoon.  What is better than cartoons?
This is sort of random, but I work as a waitress at Famous Dave's of America.  The secret to getting a large tip from a table is to butter up personalize and relate to them on the same level.  I think the same applies to teaching.  If we can relate to our students and give them the tools they need to succeed (which is perhaps a bit more difficult than a few butter packets or an extra napkin) they will indeed go far. 
We get so tied up with testing and meeting the standards that we forget about about the 5 W's + H of teaching.  I'm not sure there is such a thing, but I think about it all the time!
W-Who is our audience
W-What are we teaching? What do we want them to remember?
W-When will they use this?
W-Where might they use this?
W-Why are we learning this?
H-How are we going to remember this?  (Give them a reason to remember!) 
I think things such as ToonDoos are a great way to get our students interested in the tough subjects like English and math!  
WE DON'T WANT THIS!  HERE IS TO QUALITY TEACHING!

Making Math Fun-Math 1510 Post #4

I think part of the reason students dislike math is because of the way things are worded.  As I was creating my MindMap for the Math 1510 class, I thought, "If I was a student trying to learn the basics of estimation and computation, what would keep me engaged?"  After I looked through a few websites, I found my answer. 
I was able to find games that have recognizable characters in them.  For example, in this link to Multiplication Games, students are able to play a game with "Ben 10."  If we used real-world objects in the classroom, I think our students would be much more interested in what is going on.  We could even tailor the material to certain students.  For example if a certain group of young men enjoy cars, why not find the circumference of one of the tires?  I assure you this is much more interesting than finding the circumference of a stupid circle.
Although I think students in the younger grades would benefit from physical examples (actually bringing in real toys or food) I think that using interesting language would be just as helpful.
For example, "I have one hundred marbles.  I will go to the store tomorrow and purchase 25 marbles.  The next day, I will give 23 marbles to my cousin Ted." OR "I have one hundred Yu-Gi-Oh cards.  I will go to the video game store tomorrow and purchase 25 more Yu-Gi-Oh cards.  The next day, I will give 23 Yu-Gi-Oh cards to my cousin Ted." 

If you were an eight-year-old boy, which problem would you prefer to solve?

Real world application and targeting what students are interested are key in retention of information.  This is video about real-world application and how one school keeps their students engaged.

My Mindmap Math 1510 Post #3

If I'm going to take ONE THING away from these math courses, it's confidence!  Before I took these two classes, my math skills were completely numb.  I couldn't remember things as simple as  the Pythagorean Theorem.  I had just shut things off since high school.

Well, I'm back!  I have to say that I'm confident with my math skills again.  Most importantly, I'm confident with teaching math.  I worry a lot.  I worry about my future as an educator.  I worry about my students not "getting it."  I worry about not having money the resources I need to make sure every student succeeds.  It turns out, this math class taught me a lot about what is out there.  I was able to find hundreds (thousands!) of legitimate websites for a unit that I zeroed in on.  I took a simple chapter from a math book and made something called a Mindmap.  Here is a link to the website I used.  Mindomo 

This website could be used for many things.  I plan to use it for lesson planning.  It could also be used for honey-do lists, to-do lists, goal-setting, budgeting, or just crazy thoughts!  Check it out.  MindMaps are becoming super common in the educational world.  (I'll just assume you are interested in education...which would be why you are reading this.)

Here is a link to my MindMap.  This map was on a unit called "Estimation and Computation."  There are many links, videos, and best of all, GAMES!  Estimation and Computation MindMap

In a nutshell, I'm not scared anymore!  This project made me step out of my box to look for curriculum on the Internet.  I'm confident that I will have the tools to succeed--even if I have to fish for everything myself.