Reflective Statement

After reading the mathematics framework, I have learned that I must incorporate the

major math principles: focus, coherence, and rigor into my classroom. There are different math

practices which can help students in math. I have taken many classes at Dominguez which have

taught me basically what common core is aiming to do. Its not about memorizing formulas or

steps, it is about students understanding what they are doing. I remember back in MATH 207 the

frustration I felt because my professor wanted us to tackle problems before she taught them. It

was then that I understood I had never really learned these concepts because math was primarily

I do, now you do what I just did type of learning. I dreaded going to class the first couple weeks,

but after that I got used to it and felt more comfortable. So, when I took MATH 107 I already

knew the drill. Both classes were challenging because it made me push boundaries and actually

tackle problems on my own before I was able to get help. In the end, it honestly felt so good after

figuring out rigorous problems.

For my first artifact I have chosen a Portfolio from MATH 107 in which my group

members and I had to demonstrate and explain how to compute an addition problem using

different methods we had used in class. The methods we used were :a model, adding up, partial

sums, and the lattice method. This artifact correlates to the new common core methods and

demonstrates my understanding in mathematics. As a teachers assistant in a fourth grade class, I

have seen the model method being used numerous times when teaching addition and even

multiplication.

For my second artifact, I have chosen another Portfolio from my MATH 107 class in

which my group members and I demonstrated and explained different methods on how to solve a

multiplication and a division problem. This class in particular helped me sharpen my math skills
and understand why and how to solve problems. I feel that this class was helpful because in a

way it focused more on the new common core standards. As a matter of fact, many of the new

strategies on how to solve addition, multiplication, and division problems are incorporated in the

classroom I work in.

For my third artifact, I chose a midterm from my MATH 207 class. I chose this artifact

because I have always struggled with geometry, but this class broke everything down for me. In

this midterm I thoroughly explain why I have chosen and answer and how I solved it. In todays

society students need to understand why and how they solved problems, the days were they can

just guess a, b, c, d are slowly going away. So, this midterm illustrates how assessments in math

should be open ended. I believe that when math exams are open ended teachers can see if

students are comprehending the skills they need to achieve.