Teaching Mathematics for Conceptual Understanding
A Reflection Paper
Name: JUNITO C. COMEROS
IN
(What is the article all about)
Author Christopher Rakes came out
with this very interesting article related to
mathematics teaching. In this article, he
presented some ideas on how mathematics
was taught in the United States
traditionally and argued that traditional
teaching can actually hinder the learning of
mathematics among students. He further
stated that the missing ingredient to the
traditional lessons is conceptual
understanding.
Accordingly, teaching mathematics for
conceptual understanding helps the
students build relationships between how
to solve a problem and why it is solved that
way which help them what they already
know to solve new problems that they face.
He emphasized that conceptual
understanding is a key ingredient to
helping students think mathematically and
use mathematics outside of a classroom.
In his final note, he posed a challenge
encouraging those in the educational arena
to rethink both the education system and
the teaching methods and consider other
countries’ approaches in mathematics
instruction. Moreover, he cited that
teaching mathematics conceptually may
enable students do as well or better on
achievement tests.
REFLECTION
OF
(What is going on in the field/in your class)
Being in the teaching profession for thirteen
years, I have observed that large number
mathematics teachers do not have an optimal
background on the subject because of insufficient
preparation in mathematics or in the didactics and
pedagogy of mathematics. This is because most of
teachers in the elementary level do not have major
fields during college or in their master’s. We are
considered as generalists. Due to this fact, many
teachers in the elementary level lack the
understanding on how to teach mathematics for
conceptual understanding. Some opted to use the
conventional or the procedural way most of the time.
It is very disheartening to note that here in our
country, a bulk of educators especially in the
elementary level still use the traditional way of
teaching the subject. I believe that this is the bottom
line that our achievement test in the subject cannot
even reach the minimum required standard which is
75% even in the national level. While the United
States is still lagging behind as the 40 th in the world
in math literacy, evidence would also point out that
the Philippines is 3rd in rank from the bottom.
Currently, I am in the process of applying my
pedagogical content knowledge in mathematics
having learned this from my master’s degree and
from the regional trainings that I have attended and
facilitated as well. I know that it will be tough but I
firmly believe that taking small but right steps is just
a good beginning of a thousand-mile journey.
Reflection Paper No. 1
TOWARD
(What do you plan to do in the future)
One important lesson that can be withdrawn
from this article is the repeated finding that
teachers are the fulcrum determining whether any
school initiative tips toward success or failure.
Every aspect of school reform depends on highly
skilled teachers for its success. This is especially
true as educational standards rise and the
diversity of the students increases.
As a firm believer of integrating proactive
approaches in teaching mathematics in the
classroom scenario, I strongly believe that I have to
use the rare opportunities given to me to make
positive changes not only to myself but to other
people as well. Sharing my skills in teaching
mathematics has been my passion. I am fortunate
enough to be tapped by the regional office to be a
teacher-demonstrator especially in teaching
mathematics in the elementary level this past three
years. One of the trainings I have participated and
facilitated was on the conceptual and procedural
way of teaching mathematics.
I shall continue to maximize my potentials and
capabilities in teaching math through conceptual
understanding. I shall continue to motivate myself
to grow as an individual and as a professional that
could lead me to be a better teacher each day.
Lastly, I want to make the world more beautiful
through building good relationships with others
and through my dedication and commitment to
teaching.