I want to begin this next post with a quote from Leslee Allen's blog.
"When was the last time you went out and 'did' maths...well probably often, but I bet you didn't think of it in that narrow way, because what you were doing was connected. That is how mathematics needs to be presented to our children."
https://numberagents.blogspot.com/2018/06/challenging-our-thinking-about-maths.html
Leslee Allen has developed the Number Agents approach to maths. I have been interested in this for a while, but it was Petrina, our beginning teacher who's interest made me finally check out Leslee's blog. So over my holidays I have read up and begun developing how I will incorporate my own agency for Kowhai class to embrace this imaginary, fun-packed learning world.
So far, I feel I have squished in a bit too fast as it is Term 3. However, I do feel I know my learners pretty well and so feel confident they will trust me to push through the 'setting up' stage. Although it seems like a lot of extra planning for maths at the moment I do envisage great benefits for a few reasons: 1) It seems like a logical way for me to begin mixed ability grouping, 2) I am struggling with mixing play-based learning ideas vs the traditional classroom and this seems a good mix for quality teaching and learning, 3) It is a good inquiry journey to begin with Petrina (my mentee) so we can learn and reflect together.
Sounds great Kara, I am really interested to see this working in your classroom, and how it affects student achievement in mathematics. I think it will be very valuable for you and Petrina to go and observe what this looks like.
ReplyDeleteI am glad my interest sparked your own interest! I look forward to hearing more about how this is going, and to come and observe one of your lessons :)
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