Journal+topics

I will keep a log of journal topics here according to the date assigned. Several of you have asked about journal format. These journals are informal and can simply be e-mailed to me. I will respond in a reply e-mail.

__January 20, 2010__ .............................. Due January 27, 2010
 * Introduce yourself and give me the e-mail you use for correspondence
 * Provide feedback about the tentative syllabus
 * Let me know which Saturday you are able to come to UNB: EITHER **January 30** OR **February 6**. Please choose only one of the days - you do not need to come to both

__January 27, 2010__ ............................... Due February 3, 2010 (Note: You won't be able to do this reflective journal. Due to tech difficulties last night, we were unable to do this activity. Simply omit this item from your journal this week)
 * Share your own math story – What was your best math experience? What was your worst math experience? What role did your teacher play in making your experience good or bad?
 * Reflect on the describing/sketching activity – did it assist you to listen to kinds of terms used to describe math. How does this show you how you think of math? What kinds of words do you use in describing shapes?


 * Questions from the text:
 * 1) Explain, in your own words, constructivism
 * 2) Give an examples of constructing ideas (p.2) in your own life. Assign gray dots as things you know and include at least one white dot as something you may learn.
 * 3) The theory of constructivism says that we cannot teach students by _. Rather, we must help them ___. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Explain your response.__

__ February 3, 2010 __ __.......................... Due February 10, 2010__


 * Reflect on the describing/sketching activity – did it give you any help in terms of listening to kinds of terms used to describe math. How does this show you how you think of math? What kinds of words do you use in describing shapes?


 * Questions from the text:
 * 1) Explain, in your own words, //rote learning//. What have you learned in your own math experience by rote procedures? Is there a place for rote learning in effective student-centered learning?
 * 2) How important is //multiple representations// of concepts in learning math? Explain how you could use multiple representations as a form of student assessment. You can use the exercise we explored in class of 75 shaded in the 100 block, if it would help you explain your thoughts.

February 10, 2010 .......................... Due February 17, 2010 You have no written journal this week. Instead, please read the following: 1. Chapter 1: Three-part format for problem-based lessons pp. 11 - 22 in K - 3 and pp. 11 - 24 in grades 3 - 5 Developing a problem-based lesson pp. 22 - 24 in K - 3 and pp. 24 - 27 in grades 3 - 5 2. Chapter 2, K - 3 - Developing early number concepts and number sense


 * Be prepared to answer questions and engage in discussion during next week's class about these assigned readings.

Additionally, Go to the NB Department of education website and download the grade 4 mathematics (yes, it is 103 pages long). Have this with you next week either in pdf format on your computer, or in a paper copy - whatever you are most comfortable with. It might be easiest to follow this link: http://www.gnb.ca/0000/anglophone-e.asp

February 17, 2010 ....................... Class canceled - no journal

February 24, 2010 ....................... Due March 10, 2010 (after the spring break)

1. Reflect upon the activities we did in class this evening - did you find any of them particularly challenging? Useful? What do your reflections say about your learning style?

2. Read the grade 4 curriculum that you downloaded/printed this past week (YES, the whole thing)

A) To what extent do you agree/disagree with the Diverse Cultural Perspectives section pertaining to Aboriginal students (page 4)? Explain your answer.

B) Please comment on your overall thoughts/feelings when reading the curriculum. Are there particular areas of the curriculum you feel could be better written or might better fit the learning style(s) of students in your classrooms

C) In your own words explain the difference between formative assessment and summative assessment. Give an example of each.

3. Please give a brief summary of the first "choice" project you have chosen

March 10, 2010 ....................... Due Wednesday, March 17 1. Comment briefly on your thoughts about tonight's in-class lesson plan. How useful was tonight's exercise in having you work with the grade 4 curriculum? 2. Submit the written lesson plan you worked on in class this evening. You may download and use the the template provided. You can e-mail attach the completed table to me. I have also included an explanation of the terms used in the lesson plan template.

March 24, 2010

1. Reflect on tonight's activities - did you learn any new ways of performing operations?

2. A question I often receive from fellow teachers: I will use the differentiation assignment as an example: The rubric for this assignment will give you a mark out of 37. The weight of this assignment is 10% of your final grade. Suppose you obtain a grade of 33/37, how will you convert this grade out of 37 to a grade out of 10? Explain how you figured this out...

March 31, 2010 1. Journal: How do you feel about fractions? Is there anything specific pertaining to fractions that you would like for me to go over in class? 2. Read Chapter 5 from Van de Walle (3 - 5), Developing Fraction Concepts 3. Colour and cut out fraction strips according to the colour code on slide #19

April 7, 2010 1. Comment on upcoming Super Saturday in Community: a) Date - whether you will be available b) Willingness/ability to travel to nearby community (this is for those in Eel Ground and Burnt Church who could travel to either site; and in Gesgapegiag and Eel River Bar who could travel to Listuguj)

2. With your partner, or group of three Come up with 10 unique fraction questions. Provide solutions with clear explanations for each question. Submit your questions as your journal this week and be prepared to share these with the class.

Read Chapter 6 entitled Fraction Computation from Van de Walle text (grade 3 - 5) Make note of operations with fractions - once again avoiding the traditional algorithms. We will explore this next week.

Addition Subtraction Multiplication Division