Challenge 3

I think it is important to understand that each child doesn't learn things the same way or at the same rate. It is important to provide those who learn best visually with a visual activities so that they can understand the concept of addition and subtraction better. It is important to understand how each child does learn material so that I could provide the child with an activity that would accomodate for his/her needs. From the videos, I had the opportunity to see that some children within the class performed subtraction by counting backwards while others just guessed or based their answer on a "pattern" that they had previously seen. If this were my classroom of students, I would seperate each child into a group of students that seemed to perform addition or subtraction using the same method. I would also find lesson ideas and activities that incorporated all methods of perfoming addition and subtraction so students could understand that there is more than one way to figure out the answer. I believe it is important to address each child's needs and by having a child exposed to different learning styles or options, the child is more likely to catch on and figure out the style that works best for them.

If I were a teacher of this class, I would build on the concept of what it means to subtract from a higher number or simiply add to it. I would explain the idea of combining numbers and how to distinguish between when it is necessary to count forwards or backwards. I would incorporate the use of a visual but also have the child practice solving simple math problems using their fingers or by counting in their head without having to use their fingers. I would provide the child with mulitple options and slowly take them away until they have reached the point where they do not need a visual aid to help them solve the problem.