Parrant Inquiry 2018 Term 2 Final Update

This term I have had a break through with some of my learners and using DMIC maths in the classroom. We had to go back to basics and learn things like how to show that we are listening and how to share ideas with each other. This is still an ongoing process however my learners are starting to show that they are able to share their ideas with each other and also question each other on how they got the answer. It has also been great to see the learners being able to use language and terminology that supports their learning and show that they understand the learning strategies. 

I think we have made some progress in class this term. I need to work on making sure that I am able to show the learning and what is happening and come up with an effective way to show this in data. I will focus on this next term and have a pre and post test at the beginning and the end of the term to see which vocabulary they are using and what they need to work on to strengthen mathematical language.  I would also like to continue to focus on making sure that I am using this vocabulary in other subject areas to strengthen this language and make it stick. 

Parrant Inquiry 2018 Term 2 update

Term 2 Inquiry Update

This term I have had a real break through with my maths class. We have set up group norms and what DMiC will look like in room 8. DMiC has been working well in our class as I am able to see and hear my learners using this new vocabulary when figuring out the answer to the story. They are using this vocabulary in their discussions with each other and also with explaining how they got the answer. When I first started this new way of teaching I was worried that I was going to loose my low achievers from pitching the lessons to my higher learners. However what I have found so far is my learners being able to explain how they got an answer rather than just telling me the numbers. My learners who usually sit back and let everyone else have the conversations have started to speak up. 

In relation to my inquiry for this year it has helped me to be able to see my learners using the vocabulary that I am wanting to see this year in the classroom. It started from my learners having conversations about this is a plusses question or I plussed 10 and 12 and got 22. My learners are now starting to say I added 10 books to 12 books and ended up with 22 books. They are starting to use the story to help rather than just looking at the numbers. 

Term 1 Inquiry Update

This year my focus is on how to get my learners to use and understand mathematical vocabulary. I have had some interesting moments this term where I have assumed that my students know something and moved on to the next stage. Is this where the holes are creeping into their learning with my teacher assumptions? I have thought about this over the course of the term and has been something that I have had to work on as a teacher and make sure that I am knowing where my learners are with their vocabulary and making sure that it not the only thing holding them back from succeeding. 

How will I measure this? 

This is somewhat still a question that I am asking myself at the moment and trying to think of some creative and successful ways to measure this and see that it is working otherwise what is the point right? Some ideas that I have so far is a test before the we have completed the strategies and then after to see if the constant use of vocabulary has worked. I did find last year during our school space inquiry that my learners picked up information very quickly about the planets with being able to see the information displayed on the posters on the wall. They were able to tell me information that we hadn't even discussed in class which is why I am trying to use the word wall in my class and hope that will make an impact as well as discussing it further. I think I have managed to create a class environment where the learners are gaining confidence in being able to ask me or the class if they come up with a word they are unaware of. 

Where to next? 

I will continue to use my word wall in class and make sure that I am directing my learners attention to it when they are stuck for a word. I will also make sure that my learners are exposed to this language in their word problems so that it is something that they are hearing and seeing more in the class. I will also continue to keep getting my learners to explain what the question is asking them so that they are thinking about the vocabulary and what is actually being asked of them.