Week 5!

For this week’s math class we focused on integers, adding positive numbers, and negative numbers together! For example, 5 + (-3)= 2.  A tough concept for most to grasp onto so what was great about this week was we learned some different manipulative a teacher could use in the classroom to create a better understanding environment for students. Some manipulative that can be used are: base team blocks, connecting cubes, games, spinners, and counters. Using manipulative’s is beneficial for students because it allows them to visualize something and move it around, whereas seeing the numbers on a piece of paper may be intimidating and confusing for some.

What really stuck with me this week was a riddle that helps students remember and understand integers. This riddle is about a Town, and uses good/ bad people leaving and entering the town as positive or negative factors to the town. 

I think applying riddles like the one above, songs and visuals is very beneficial for students to learn a concept. It allows them to remember something easily and can potentially stick with them in the future. I know I would reminisce with friends and talk about the fun things we used to do in school and laugh at the fact that we still remembered it. This is what I want my future students to be like, I want them to look back and say remember this time? or I have no problem with multiplication because my teacher made us sing a song I still remember. I hope to make a positive impact on my students in the future, and believe that this is a better approach for students to learn as it will end up sticking with them longer than you think, rather than memorizing something for a test and already forgetting it a week later. 

And that's my wrap up for this week! Stay tuned for Week 6!