Which One is Harder?

A] Rachel has 7 gumdrops. Finn gives her some more gumdrops. Now Rachel has 11 gumdrops. How many gumdrops did Finn give Rachel?

OR

B] Rachel had 4 gumdrops. Finn gave her 7 more gumdrops. How many gumdrops does Rachel have now?

So, I bet you're thinking that they are both easy, and one is not harder than the other. Well, my friend, you're wrong. :) With love, of course. Actually, 'A' is technically harder than 'B' because of the wording of the word problem. You can go ahead and look again. z

Okay, now for problem 'B', figure out the problem in as many different ways as possible.
There are four different strategies to figure out the problem (and the above problem for that matter):

1. The first strategy is direct model which is you do the problem EXACTLY in the order of the problem. So for 'B', you would count out 4 gumdrops and then another 7 gumdrops and add them all together.
2. The second on is counting strategy. For this one you would start with 4 (you see you're not counting out 4, you're already starting off with the 4) and adding 7 more gumdrops.
3. The third one is called derived fact. So an example of this is 7+3=10 +1=11. I know, confusing. Here's another example, 4+6=10+1=11.
4. And the last is recall. It's kind of like mental math. But, you are doing the above strategies in your head.

So what's the answer for problem 'B'?

If you answered 11, congrats! You deserve a gold star. :)

How Many Ways?

Problem: Rachel has 7 gumdrops. Finn gives her some more gumdrops. Now Rachel has 11 gumdrops. How many gumdrops did Finn give Rachel?

Okay, okay. I know what you're thinking! "Uh really?? In a COLLEGE METHODS class?!" But, trust me, that problem wasn't what we talked about in class. The real problem is how many ways can you solve this problem?

In my group, we found five different ways. From algebra to simple subtraction to illustrations. As a class, we came up with about 7-10 different ways. There was so many different variations that a young student can do to answer this question. Not just this question either, but for every other math problem out there. This reminds me of my math teachers who told us as long as you get the right answer, it doesn't matter how you get to that point. I would do that for the older kids, not some must younger when checking for understanding of addition, subtraction, etc.

That's it for now! :)

First Day of Class

Okay, so I have to keep a blog about my math methods class. I'm not the greatest at blogging, so I'm going to start of by posting my math autobiography that I have to write. Please don't laugh. I know my English (grammar and all) is horrible. : ]

My Math Autobiography

            I will be honest; math is not my greatest subject. It never has, and it probably never will be. I am one of the new teachers that are worried about teaching math to students, hoping that I do not mess them up. Even though I am nervous about teaching math, I am not going to do what my younger sister’s third grade teacher did and not teach math at all because I do not like the subject. I struggled tremendously throughout my elementary and middle school career. I still remember memorizing the multiplication chart and playing “Around the World” numerous times in my third grade class. I had gone to a private elementary and middle school where they have their own curriculum in place, which, I found out as I went to a public high school, does not coincide with the public school curriculum. In the private school setting, I had a tough time expressing to my teachers that I needed help and was often too ashamed to even ask a peer. Of my eight grades, I only had one teacher take time out of her lunch time to give me the extra help I needed.

            When I moved on to a public high school, I had no idea how far behind I was in a few subjects! In my Algebra 1 class, I realized it quickly when the beginning on the year review was all new material to me. On our questionnaire that was given a couple days after school had started, I remember writing, “No offense, but I think I’m in the wrong class. I don’t understand anything that you have just gone over.” My teacher called me back and told me not to worry and she will provide all the help I need. And she did. My teacher made herself available to me before school and during lunch, and I made use of her assistance. I passed that class with a ‘B’. I did not have the greatest teacher for Geometry. For Algebra 2, I had another awesome teacher! I told him of my struggles on the first day of class. He worked with me so many times to make sure I understood the material and made himself available at all times. He even showed me how to take down better math notes in class. I passed this class with an ‘A’, my first ‘A’ in a math class. He even tutored my sister in math a few years later, even though she was not in any of his classes. To me, he was probably on my more influential teachers in high school, even though I had some of the greatest.

            When I moved on to UNLV, I understood that I was going to be on my own for Math. My high school support was not going to be there. I accidently took the wrong math class. I ended up taking Math 120, which was taught by an older gentleman. This class was an up-hill battle from the start. I passed this class with a ‘C’, my only ‘C’ that I have ever had. It broke my heart when I found out that I took the wrong math class and was required to take two more semester of Math (122 and 123). I was terrified, especially already having took a class and received not the great grade. I had an awesome teacher for both those classes who believed that we should not be forced to memorize math processes and theories, but be able to apply them. I want to teach my students in similar manner, but I know that it would be more difficult because of the standardized testing and its requirements.

            I’m nervous about teaching students math because I do not feel all that confident about math. However, my biggest concern is being able to prepare my students for their standardized tests. Do I teach to the test? Or do I teach my students what the need to know? I’m looking forward to this class and hope that I can learn to be a better math teacher.