Math Autobiography!!

Reflecting back on my mathematical experiences throughout my primary and elementary years it is difficult to recall every experience, however there are some incidences and details that seemed to be common that do stand out.

I can remember the classroom layout composing of straight lines of desks that consisted of many rows. Their was an individual desk for each student and I can recall a majority of those teachers encouraging the classroom set-up to remain the way it was, which created difficulties and as a result seemed to be ineffective for group work. This gave me the impression that working independently was of great importance. Within the classroom walls I remember their being many colorful posters about English and Science, however the only pictures that revolved around math were only a few dull plain sheets with the multiplication table or of something of that nature, compared to now when I walk into one of my observation classrooms and there are many done it a multitude of colors and interesting styles. Also I notice now that desks are more times grouped together or at tables. There are also a lot more resources placed into the classroom now such as different worksheets for the children to take, games, books etc. I can only evoke the textbook and worksheets related to the lesson when I was in those grades.

The role that comes to mind about my teachers when it came to math was that it was a subject that we needed to do and that we would need for the rest of our lives. There was never any real enthusiasm about the subject except for my grade four teacher who loved math and thought that it was wonderful. He just got so excited and made learning about it fun. This is when I experienced my best memory about math. I could always do well with math if I studied and practiced but like many children I was somewhat lazy and had no interest in math and as a result did not do as well as I could have been doing. Then I had him and he made math so much fun. He made worksheets that seemed to be more like play then homework and my interest level elevated and so did my grades. I am thankful for that teacher because he had a huge impact on me wanting to become a teacher and made me realize that learning could be fun. Looking back now I also recognize that he also made me see that when you struggle with something and you ease the pressure off it that it becomes much easier to work with and build upon.

When I look back on the types of assessment that was used throughout my primary and elementary years I can only recall basic worksheets and a main test for each unit that we learned.

Looking back on math in high school it was much the same way as elementary but with much more focus on working independently and having to do multiple assignments for each unit along with a unit test. Also we did finals, midterms and later we were introduced to publics.

I have taken a number of math courses here at memorial university for example I took math 1050, 1051, stats 2500 , 2050 and Pmat 2320

I think that I engage with mathematics in my life in major ways because I use my math when paying my bills, taxes, when looking at any type of financial decisions, and with making purchases of furniture/ appliances just to name a few.

I think that mathematics is changing in the schools for the better from what I have seen thus far in my observation days. I have seen some of my teachers incorporate math into other areas of the curriculum and draw upon the student’s knowledge that relates to what they are currently learning to these other subjects.