Online Companion: Early Education Curriculum: A …
Online Companion: Early Education Curriculum: A Child's Connection to the World, 4E
Chapter 5
Math
• Reflective Review Questions
• Web Activities
• Additional Related Web Links
Reflective Review Questions
1. What is the difference between a rote-learning, rule-based approach to learning math, and a conceptual approach? Characterize each approach with examples. Do you think early childhood teachers have shifted their emphasis to the conceptual approach? Give examples from your observations in classrooms that support your answer.
2. When observing a young child, what specific characteristics can you identify that indicate that she or he excels in logico-mathematical intelligence? How might you use this knowledge in developing useful learning experiences for her or him?
3. Observe an infant who is demonstrating the acquisition of what Jean Piaget referred to as physical knowledge. What particular types of behavior do you see? Then observe a preschooler who is exploring a new material in the classroom. Are there similarities in the way each of them construct their physical knowledge? Are there differences?
4. Describe four group activities for young children that involve patterning. Two should involve vigorous physical activity, and two should involve the manipulation of objects.
5. Explain why cooking is an excellent activity to develop math skills in young children. Describe specific aspects typically found in cooking that utilize math.
6. Design a game you can play with children that enhances their understanding of spatial sense. Play the game with a group of children and then share the results with your classmates. Did the game succeed the way you thought it might? Why or why not? If you changed it, might it be even better? Describe some of the adaptations you might make.
Web Activities
1. Bank Street Corner
(Click on “Math”)
Explore this math page. Click on each item and read each selection. Summarize in writing any new or interesting information that will help you in the classroom.
2. Math Forum @ Drexel University
(Click on “Teacher’s Place,” “Elementary School Teachers/Kindergarten–2nd Grade,” and “Collections of Lesson Plans.”)
This is another interesting Web site related to math and math activities. Review this site and select one area of interest to you. Explain in writing why you decided on this particular one. Describe which information you can use, and explain how you will implement it in your classroom. How will you evaluate its success or failure with the children? (Note: The “Grade K–2 Teacher’s Place: Collection of Lesson Plans” is a resource of the Math Forum @ Drexel.)
3. Project Math Access
(Click on “Teaching Mathematical Concepts”; it should open to a page that says “Number Sense.” On the bottom left is a menu that says, “Teaching Other Mathematical Concepts Link.”
Spend some time reading the information that this site offers. After you read through the ideas, plan three activities that would be appropriate for young children to help strengthen their mathematical concepts. Be sure to identify which mathematical category the activites are focusing on, for example: patterns, function algebra, number sense and counting, and so on.
4. Center for Innovative Teaching
This site contains information about a program called Math Their Way. After you have spent time researching information from this Web site, go to the following two sites and search through them.
KidZone
Time 4Learning
(Click on “Site Map,” and then click on “Math Online”)
After you have reviewed them, compare and contrast, in writing, the content and approach from these two sites with the first site. Which site do you think most closely aligns with the philosophy of your textbook? Explain your decision by referring to specific information from the sites. Which Web site aligns most closely with Piaget’s cognitive theories and why?
5. eMINTS
(Click on “eThemes”,listed at the top of the screen. Scroll down and click on “eThemes listed alphabetically” and then scroll down to “Math: Virtual Manipulatives”
The list is quite lengthy, so you might want to scroll down quickly.
With a fellow classmate, play around with some of the virtual math activities and then discuss the pros and cons of these games with each other. What age children would these be appropriate for? Would you consider using this Web site with young children? Why or why not?
6. National and state standards have been revised, updated, or perhaps created for mathematics. Conduct an Internet search to find out whether your state has current standards for mathematical benchmarks and indicators. Print or save so that you can use them in your activity planning for children, as well as for other assignments.
Additional Related Web Links
1. Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature Site: Picturing Math—Patterns and Picture Books:
(Click on “Curriculum Areas,” and then click on “Math: Patterns and Picture Books”)
2. Do Math and You Can Do Anything
3. Gayle’s Preschool Rainbow
(Click on “Rhymes, Songs, and Fingerplays”)
4. Math and Young Children
(Click on “Math and Young Children”)
5. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
6. The National Research Center on the Gifted and the Talented
7. Newton’s
(Click on “If You Hate Math” and then click on “Grades K–2”)
7. Northwest Education
8. Teachers Nurturing Math-Talented Young Children
Do a Web search by typing in “Teachers Nurturing Math-Talented Young Children”; this is an article about fostering mathematical ability in young children. Several are listed, but pick the one that has the guidelines included at the bottom of the page.
9. Teaching Math to English Language Learners
Do an Internet search by typing in “Teaching Math to English Language Learners Winter 2005”; this is a NorthWest Education Article.
10. Webmath
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