Marquetta Strait March 06, 2013 CU Life Math Strategies Training Reflection: 3 The third day of Claflin Universitys

Learning Improvement for Future Excellence (CU Life) mathematics training, Mrs. Nelson had us review the information that we discussed last session. Some of the aspects we discussed were the lesson plan cycle. The cycle includes homework or review, anticipatory set, objectives or purpose, direct instruction, guided practice, independent practices, and closure. One reason why we reviewed over this portion is because she would like for us to teach a math mini-lesson during our last session. To make sure that our lesson is effective, we discussed manipulatives and other resources that can be implemented into our lesson. Incorporating manipulatives into a lesson can build understanding and clarifies concepts, engages the student, and provides multisensory experiences. Students will be able to develop conceptual understanding of mathematical ideas by representing the ideas in multiple ways. Last math session, we discussed that Marzanos nine instructional strategies are research based. They have been proven to be effective in the classroom and improve students comprehension of concepts taught in the classroom. While in our mathematics session, Ms. Nelson gave us fraction strip sheets. These fraction strip sheets are advanced organizers. An advanced organizer is an instructional strategy used to teach new information. This is a great way to teach fractions and to provide a visual for students. The fraction strip sheet shows fractions from to 1/12. The students would have to figure out which fractions are closer to . I will definitely keep this sheet as a resource for my students. Students often have a difficult time comprehending

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fractions. With this sheet, they can color code each strip. The teacher can have them laminated for durability throughout the instructional unit. Lastly, Mrs. Nelson had us to select an index card. On the index cards were math standards that we will have to teach on our last math session. I will be teaching a fourth grade lesson on two and three dimensional shapes. In my support document, I have Standard 4-4: The student will demonstrate through the mathematical process an understanding of the relationship between two-and three dimensional shapes, the use of transformations to determine congruency, and the representation of location and movement within the first quadrant of a coordinate system. Within our lesson, we must demonstrate the lesson plan cycle and use manipulatives. The strategies that are being taught in these sessions have really encouraged me to be more effective in my math instructional strategies. I want my students to be engaged and develop conceptual understanding rather than procedural knowledge. If the students develop conceptual understanding, they will be able to use their strategies in various problems. These sessions are also causing me to anticipate my students learning approaches and to tailor my instruction to their needs.