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Math Reflection
Is math a difficult subject? Most math teachers expose students to math concepts through
memorization and practice. Great math teachers must use pedagogical content knowledge which
allows all students to understand lessons, increase interest in math, and ensure high academic
performance. After reading the mathematics framework and the California Common Core
Standards, I need to re-learn math concepts and improve my content knowledge in order to
effectively teach elementary students.
Up to this point in my recent college career, I have not taken one mathematics class since
1981! That last class taken was statistics. Since it was an upper division class it fulfilled the
requirement for transfer to a university. I have yet to take the required math for teachers classes.
On one hand, I do not feel fully prepared to teach elementary math, and on the other hand, I have
taken all sections of the BEST and have passed with high marks. My knowledge of math in the
real world, and now as an older student, has prepared me in many ways to teach elementary
math. Ive used my statistics math class information over the years as a retail sales manager and
media specialist. It has helped me to analyze data and prepare reports required for my work. Also
as a parent of grown children I have practiced my math skills in helping them with their math
homework. My class observation experience in LBS 300 helped prepare me by observing
effective mathematics instruction for third graders. They used their white boards and critical
thinking to come up with different was to answer problems.
In terms of math content, I feel prepared to teach, but in terms of pedagogy, I am not as
prepared. I do feel prepared to teach word problems, measurements, adding and subtracting
whole numbers, multiplying and dividing multi-digit numbers, fractions, decimals and measuring
angles. I feel less prepared to teach all the different methods to reach the answer as the common
core methods requires. In MAT 107 at CSUDH, I hope to gain those skills quickly so I can teach

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all the ways to solve one math problem. Mostly I feel the least prepared to teach algebraic
expressions and equations and their functions as is required in the 5th grade math standards.
Linear algebra is going to be the most difficult for me to remember. I realize that I will have to
pursue classes, on my own, or a tutor, in order to be a great math teacher. I have current plans to
sit in a special education math class during my lunch hour at the high school where I work, to
sharpen my skills.
The artifacts I have decided to share as evidence of my lifelong math learning is my
transcript of my 1981 statistics class and my CBEST math scores. These documents show that I
have math knowledge; it just needs to be sharpened. According to the CA Math Framework,
mathematical modeling is a tool for solving everyday problems, 30 making informed decisions,
improving life skills (i.e., logical thinking, reasoning, and 31 problem solving), planning,
designing, predicting, and developing financial literacy. Statistics is generally a secondary school
subject, but elements of it are taught in elementary school, and is definitely used in solving
everyday problems, a necessary skill mentioned in the framework.
While reading the standards, the importance of knowing all the grade level standards,
especially the grade above and below the grade I will be teaching. It will be important to scaffold
the lessons so they can remember the importance of previous lessons to ensure success in the
future lessons. Math should be taught by knowledgeable teachers. I and my children have had
some horrible math teachers through the years. One teacher told my daughter in the 7th and 8th
grade, You either get it or you dont! A teacher should never say that statement to a child or
their parent. I will strive to be the best teacher I can be. I will look to figure out ways why a
student does not understand a concept. I will never make excuses and blame the student for not
mastering content.