Post IGOR

We are back! Hurricane IGOR has certainly torn away September month and now it is time to get back on track. Students have been back to school since Monday and I have stepped it into high gear with the problem solving.

In the beginning of the school year my goal was to establish a respectful, relaxed classroom environment where students became more comfortable with themselves as well as with their peers. I wanted them to see that math could be interesting and that it was ok to make mistakes. Teaching Grade 5 from last year, I knew I would have a little more work ahead of me before I could go full steam ahead with them. I needed to get them comfortable with the unknown (not using a text book, no tests, different expectations) and ready for working more independently. I needed to start with getting the math discourse going and having students begin talking about math and how they were thinking about it. I did simple problems with them getting them used to how the class runs. I also needed to get a feel for their personality, strengths and needs. One of the key ingredients to teaching this way is to know your students; to be able to give them problems at their level that will challenge them but yet give them success. During the classes I would have students work together and allow as much freedom as they needed. I would sometimes interject their conversations and refocus them by asking a question to get them back on track.

My goal for my Grade 6 class was a little different because I had those same students last year. I was able to mold them and get them to a place at the end of the school year where they could just jump right in this year and begin learning math through problem solving. Already knowing their strengths, weakness and areas of need really jump started the year for me. I knew what groups worked the best and who to call upon for help when it was needed.

Due to the Hurricane that blew through here 2 weeks ago, students are only just returning from a 2 week absence from school. So, it is the first week of October and I am only beginning my first attempts of seeing my kids in action.