LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

Teaching Math in
Intermediate
Grades
(MODULE 1)

Submitted by: Mary Joy A. Casita

Year and Section: BEED A2019
Submitted to: Prof. Angelica Plarisan

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

LESSON 1
FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS
TEACHING ANDLEARNING

ACTIVITY 1.1
Some Views about the Nature of Mathematics and

Mathematics Teaching and Learning

DIRECTIONS: Read and reflect on each item carefully. State whether you agree or

disagree to each of the statements. The questionnaire asks for your opinion, hence,

There is no right or wrong answer. Statements

Agree 1. Learning mathematics means mastering a fixed set of basic skills.

Disagree 2. Mathematics is a series of arbitrary rules, handed down by the

teacher,who in turn got them from some very smart source.

Agree 3. Mathematics is about getting the right answers.

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Statements

Disagree 4. There is only one way to solve any problem.

Agree 5. Every problem must have a predetermined solution.

Disagree 6. Mathematics is boring and nothing you can do will make it

interesting.

Disagree 7. Mathematics never changes.

Disagree 8. Only very intelligent people can understand mathematics. Others

cannot doit at all.

Disagree 9. Males are better in mathematics than females.

Agree 10. The harder mathematics is, the better it is – if it is too easy, it cannot
bereally mathematics.

Agree 11. Mathematics requires the memorization of a lot of rules and formulas.

Disagree 12. There is no room for opinions in mathematics. Everything is right or

wrong,true or false.

Disagree 13. Mathematics is made up of a number of unrelated topics.

Disagree 14. If you are good in language, you are not good in mathematics.

Agree 15. You have to be really good in math to appreciate it.

Did you agree to all or most of the questions? Set aside your responses to

this questionnaire for later use. Your responses may just reveal your views about

the nature of mathematics!

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

ACTIVITY 1.2
.

What’s in a Circle?

Do This

Materials: cans of different sizes, string, ruler

Steps:

1. Wrap the string around the can to measure the circumference of its base.

Note that the base of the can is a circle.

2. Measure the diameter of the can’s base using a ruler.

3. Divide the circumference by the diameter.

4. Repeat steps 1-3 using the other cans. Fill the table below.

Can Circumference (C) Diameter (D) C/D

A 20 6 3.10
B 22 7 3.14
C 28 9 3.11
D 39 12 3.20

What do you observe? Do you see any pattern? If you do, can you state the
relationship between the circumference and diameter of a circle?

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

SCQ 1.1

Did the activity ask you to recall a formula and ask you to
substitute appropriate values in the formula? Yes there’s a
formula in doing this activity

Did the activity allow you to observe patterns and find out for
yourself the relationship between the circumference and
diameter
Yes there’s a different between the circumference and diameter
they’re not the same of measurement.

From this activity, what does it mean to do mathematics?

I think there’s a lot of formula to get the answer that’s way
3. mathematics is more on numbers than words also to analyze
the problem and to improve out critical thinking in
mathematic

Your answers should lead you to the definition of the nature of mathematics that
is put forth by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), the

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

SCQ 1.2

1. Based on the discussions on the nature of

mathematics, what should you emphasize in teaching
mathematics? Why?
We should emphasize teaching mathematics thru value
the subject mathematics brings order to our lives and
pressure is decreased. Power of reasoning, inventiveness,
abstract or spatial thinking, critical thinking, problem-
solving abilities, and even good communication skills are
all attributes that mathematics develops.
When you value mathematics it will help a lot to know
more the learning in math.

2. Consider your responses to Activity 1. All statements in the

questionnaire are myths, meaning, they are not held as true by
most mathematics educators in the world. Did you agree to any of
the statements? Justify your answer?
I’m disagree because some of them are not applicable to accept in
real life situation also mathematics have a greatest contribute in
our society so we need to know the correct statement to learn
more.

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

SCQ 1.3

Do your students value mathematics? If yes, what is it about mathematics that

they find important? If no, why not? For me yes, as a student I value
mathematics because it will help a lot especially in education and in real life
situation like you buy a things in the store it has a mathematics equation to add
the things you buy. We need to know the 4 basic mathematics the addition,
multiplication, division and subtraction.

Do you ask students to explain their solution or their reasoning on a

particular task? Do you encourage them to present and defend their
answers in class? Why or why not?

Yes, to elaborate their explanation and also to know better or understand the
solution it will help them to know the right answer if they defend their answer
because some of mathematics are right or sometimes it’s wrong.

Is problem solving central to the way you teach mathematics? If yes, how do you
do it? If not, what are the emphases of your lessons?
Yes, problem solving is the central to teach because to know the solution and to
solve the problem in equation. I will do it from the start of course first is the
formula to solve the equation then the problem solving lastly the final answer in
question.

Are your students happy and confident about their ability to do mathematics?
Yes, because they learn about mathematics and also they enhance their
knowledge or skills while doing mathematics they can be excellent in mathematics
because of their ability to do this task.

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

ACTIVITY 1.3

What is Your Teaching Style?

DIRECTIONS: Do you want to know your teaching style? This questionnaire lists

some views, assumptions and practices of teachers about teaching and

learning. Read each statement carefully. Then state whether you agree or

disagree with the statement.

STATEMENTS

Agree 1. The most practical way of teaching students is through lectures and
discussions.

Disagree 2. A student retains the most knowledge by memorizing definitions and

facts.

Agree 3. A learner learns best through repetition, drill and practice.

Agree 4. A student gains knowledge by listening to the teachers’ explanation.

Agree 5. The teacher must answer right away all questions of students that are
related to the lesson and explain them.

Agree 6. When a pupil gives a wrong answer, the teacher must correct it right
away.

Disagree 7. The teacher should ask students to memorize rules, laws, theorems
and formulas.

Disagree 8. A student’s mind is like a dry sponge that absorbs what the teacher

explainsor discusses.

Agree 9. The teachers teach best when they define terms, state the laws/rules,

explain the lesson in detail, and give specific examples or illustrations.

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

STATEMENTS

Agree 10. Students learn best when left alone to discover concepts and
relationships from some given tasks.

Agree 11. Learners construct understanding by linking new information with prior
Knowledge.

Agree 12. Learners are creatures of will and purpose who actively make meaning
as they interact with objects and events.

Disagree 13. Students learn best when left alone to discover concepts and
relationships from some given tasks.

Agree 14. The teacher should provide as little guidance, explanations, and
lectures as possible to encourage learner autonomy and initiative.

Disagree 15. Students should explain terms, concepts or rules/laws in their own
words.

Agree 16. Group work encourages students to learn from each other and make
connections.

Agree 17. The teacher should encourage learner inquiry, debate and discussion
in the classroom.

Agree 18. Students learn best when the teacher uses situations and contexts that
they experience in real life.

Disagree 19. The teacher should emphasize novel, investigative and open-ended
Problems rather than drill, practice and rote exercises.

Agree 20. The teacher should ask probing questions that require students to
justify their claims, provide evidence and uncover new ideas.

READ

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

ACTIVITY 1.4

Comparison of Behaviorist and Cognitive Perspectives

Directions: Complete the table that follows which compares the behaviorist and cognitive
perspectives. The pool of ideas provides the answers. For each pair of views, decide which
one is behaviorist and which is cognitive. Write each idea in the correct box, or you may
simply write the number corresponding to the idea.

BEHAVIORSIM COGNITISM
View of Learning
Accumulation of responses Development of strategies
through selective to encode and retrieve
reinforcement information

\View of Learner
Empty receptacle Creators of understanding

Role of Teacher Controller of the environment Partner in the process of

through reinforcement and meaning making; helps
cues for appropriate student students organize and make
behavior sense of information

Role of Learner Passive recipient of stimuli Active meaning –maker through

from teacher and strategy use
environment

POOL OF IDEAS

View of Learning
1. Accumulation of responses through selective reinforcement
2. Development of strategies to encode and retrieve information
View of Learner
3. Creators of understanding
4. Empty receptacle
Role of Teacher
5. Partner in the process of meaning making; helps students organize and
make sense of information

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

6. Controller of the environment through reinforcement and cues for

appropriate student behavior
Role of Learner

7. Passive recipient of stimuli from teacher and environment

8. Active meaning maker through strategy use

SCQ 1.4

Is your classroom primarily traditional or constructivist?

For today classroom is more on constructivist because now a day’s student
learn to investigate topic, asking a question and they use a variety of resource
to get the solution or problem.
Do you see some advantages of shifting from a traditional classroom to a
constructivist one? If yes, what are these? If no, why not?
Yes, traditional classroom is more on teacher centered while constructivist
classroom is student centered. So the advantage is student will learn thru her
understanding or thought and they improve their knowledge thru reading then
they can create an active learning also critical thinking and collaboration with
her/his surroundings
3. Do you see some difficulties in adopting the constructivist perspective in
teaching? If yes, what are these?
Maybe yes because some of student are difficult to understand the situation or
problem they are not prepared to adopt the new 21st century but we need to
clarify to them the real situation today and help them to learn.
4. Which teaching style would a teacher likely adopt if they see mathematics?
For me teaching style is the way you teach like you love your work and energy
to the classroom to motivate them , creative visualization to help them listen
careful while you are teaching then one by one explanation about the problem
to avoid the left behind student.

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

ACTIVITY 1.5
What the BEC Says

As a beginning teacher, you must be familiar with the Basic Education

Curriculum (BEC). Do you know what the BEC says about the teaching and learning of
mathematics? Here is an excerpt from the philosophy of the 2002 Basic Education
Curriculum (BEC). Read it carefully and answer the reflection questions that below.

SCQ 1.5

1. In your view, is the philosophy of the 2002 BEC inclined towards the behaviorist
or the constructivist perspective? Why do you say so?
In 2002 BEC they emphasis the learner to competent in learning while I choose
constructivist than behaviorist because the learner should learn thru his
experience and apply it in really life situation they will learn thru their knowledge.

2. What implications does the philosophy of the 2002 BEC have on your teaching?
For the philosophy of the 2002 BEC is to have a meaningful learning that can
promote group engagement, in which participants' interactions enable individual
pupils express their own understanding by comparing it to that of their peers.
3. Who are you as a mathematics teacher? Write down your views about
mathematics teaching and learning?
As a future educator the mathematics is useful in our society but my view about
mathematics teaching and learning it will help a lot especially in our student when
they engage in mathematics they will learn how to solve the problem, create a
meaningful learning, critical thinking also the study of mathematics is the heart of
education and everyday life, are all part of mathematics.

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 LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

SCQ 1.6

Answer the following questions briefly to check your understanding of the

lesson.

1. Describe how a teacher who subscribes to a behaviorist perspective

views theTeaching and learning of mathematics.
Teachers of all ages benefit from learning mathematics since it enriches
their lives and expands their options. It builds the numeracy skills that
everyone needs in their personal, professional, and civic lives, as well as
the foundations for mathematical specialties and professional
applications of mathematics while the behavioral method, often known
as behaviorism, is a learning theory that focuses on external events as
the source of changes in students' observable behaviors.

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LESSON 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

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