A typical math lesson |
A photo from one of my "atypical" math lessons...
I am working with math teaching development in Göteborg, Sweden. During our math developer meetings we discuss a lot abouthow to achieve better results in math. We hear about other countries that get good results but we really do know very little about them.
I hope to get some help from the Kidlink community. I have two questions for students and teachers. But I will first tell about how a typical Swedish math lesson could be.
I would say that a typical 50 minutes Swedish math lesson for grade 7 is like this:
15 min: the math teacher explains how to solve a kind of math calculation taken from the book. The book decides the working area, eg it could be about fractions. The teacher ask the students questions to see if they understand.
35 min: the students start solving exercises in the book. The students often work with different exercises depending on were they are in the book. The teachers walk around in the classroom and help those students that have problems with the exercises. The students work alone or help each others. If many students have the same problem, the teacher interrupt with a short explanation to the whole class.
Now to the two questions:
- How is a typical math lesson in your school/country right now? Please try to be detailed about time, use of a math book and content.
- Are you satisfied with your "typical lesson" or would you like something else? Why?
Thank you for your help!
A-StellanK, Göteborg, Sweden
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Tuesday December 01, 2009, EmiliaK (Mexico):
My usual math lesson in my school here in Mérida, Mex. is something like this:
First, the teacher sees our group's division for math groups, then we wait for the other teacher.
When the other teacher arrives, one group takes out the math workbook and the other takes out a special new book, and then the teachers choose which part of the clasroom they'll use, we push our tables to our side and start working.
The teachers read the instructions, then we all set to work, and we can work on our own or with a friend. If many kids ask the same thing, the teacher interrupts the class and answers the question and explains the exercise better.
Sometimes, a group gets together and all the people from that teacher go working at the same speed.
The next day, we change teachers.
If the other teacher doesn't come, the first teacher uses her book with everyone.
Monday March 15, 2010, a-JoanneP (United States):
I help train teachers in the United States. In Ohio, I believe our typical math lesson would involve reviewing concepts, teacher instruction and student practice. We also encourage the use of manipulative and real world examples.
Most lessons are 50 minutes to an hour. In many schools other assistance is available to students at other times during the school day.
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