parents + web resources = effective critical thinking in elementary mathematics
DESCRIPTION
This presentation, by Fosston teacher Dan Gutterud, a graduate student at Bemidji State University, focuses on the importance of parental involvement in education while also highlighting methods of connecting with parents using web resources to promote communication and critical thinking.TRANSCRIPT
Parents + Web Resources =
Effective
Critical Thinking in
Elementary Mathematics
Dan Gutterud
Ed 6117 June 2009
Bemidji State University
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
Part 1: What is your focus?
"To have taught well is not to have used a great set of techniques or given the learner some words to give back, but to have caused understanding through words, activities, tools, guided reflection, the learner's efforts, and feedback”(McTighe & Wiggins, 2005).
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Is this a surprise?
Much of what influences students occurs during their hours outside of the school building.
Image from www.sxc.hu
Who influences students during their time away
from school?
Parents.
Image from www.flickr.com
Part 2: GET PARENTS INVOLVED!Image from http://www.sxc.hu
Benefits of Parent Involvement“Research shows that students with involved parents—
regardless of their background or income level—reap a bevy
of benefits, including attending school regularly, enrolling in
more advanced classes, getting better grades, graduating from
high school, and pursuing post-secondary education” (Be
Strategic, 2003).
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
Part 3:Connect with parents and students using technology
“Parents' attitudes toward mathematics have an impact on
children's attitudes. Children whose parents show an interest
in and enthusiasm for mathematics around the home will be
more likely to develop that enthusiasm themselves” (Brosnan
& Hartog).
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
Communication is vital
webpagecalls home
newsletter
blog
surveys
conferences
progress reports
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
Blog
From my blog at http://room13all-stars.blogspot.com
Consider a blog as a way to
communicate by posing
questions or relaying
information.
PodcastsPublish podcasts online.
A self assessment question has been published here.
Image from http://dgutterud.podbean.com
What is a wiki?
Page from my wiki at http://room13allstars.pbworks.com
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
Videos on wiki
Image from http://math247.pbworks.com/Mathcasts
VoiceThreadPose a question.
Students respond at
school or home via:
*Text *Voice*Phone *Video
Image from http://voicethread.com
Virtual manipulatives—try ‘em
“Research has shown that concrete manipulatives help students better
understand abstract concepts in math, and comparative studies show virtual
manipulatives to be as effective as concrete ones”(Donovan, 2008).
Virt
ual M
anip
ulati
ves
Image from http://nlvm.usu.edu
How many families have manipulatives at home? How many have internet access?
Bring parents into the classroom
Image from http://www.flickr.com
Visit my links by going to my wiki athttp://room13allstars.pbworks.com
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
ReferencesBe strategic to boost family involvement. (2003, December). District Administration, Retrieved November 5,
2007, from ContentSelectResearch Navigator database.
Brosnan, P.A. & Hartog, M.D. (n.d.). Doing mathematics with your child. Retrieved June 20, 2009 from
http://www.math.com/parents/articles/domath.html
Donovan, J. (2008, November). Teaching mathematics with virtual manipulatives. Technology & Learning.
Retrieved June 22, 2009 from www.techlearning.com/article/14468
McTighe, J. & Wiggins, G. (2005). Understanding by design (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and
Development.
No child left behind act, section 1118. (2001). Retrieved November 26, 2007 from
http://www.ed.gov/nclb/landing.jhtml