Maths Lesson Reflection – 1/11/18

The lesson that was held today was a mathematical lesson that focused around
the concept of time. The lesson had to differentiate and accommodate for the
different learning needs within the classroom. When planning the lesson, I was
aware that I would be having a teacher aide within the classroom. Considering
this information, I planned for the teacher aide to have the students who
understood the concept of time, supporting them with any questions that they
may have with the activity that they were provided with. Once the students had
completed this time activity, I provided the teacher aide with an extension
activity that these students could complete that would challenge and extend
their mathematical knowledge and understanding of the concept of time. After
consulting with the teacher aide and these students who completed this activity,
I feel that the activity was suited to their ability levels. I do however believe that
I should have scaffolded their activities so that they knew what they were
required to do and were aware of their learning goals for that particular activity.

Whilst these students who already had a concept of time were completing their
activities at their desk, I worked with the students who were struggling with
understanding the concept of time. These students weren’t consistent with the
demonstration of their own mathematical knowledge of the concept of time.
They struggle with ‘minutes past,’ ‘minutes to,’ and sometimes with which
hands on the clock are the hour and minute hand. I had planned to have these
students grouped together to work with, so I could identify what each of the
students understood and what they more specifically struggled with. I had the
large white board that had a clock on it to demonstrate, model and explain to the
students what different times were. I did find it a challenge at times to engage
these students with the activity as they are easily distracted and can become
disengaged quite quickly. Each of the students did have their own individual
mini clock to change the hands on. At first the students were engaged and
completing the activity, but I do think I should have had another activity to
move on to, that had a similar learning goal but required the students to use
another resource. Reflecting upon this activity, I do feel that I could definitely
have made this activity more interactive and engaging by using some different
resources and approaches to convey the concept of time more effectively. I
would have loved to have used online resources through the use of the iPads to
engage these students with developing the concept of time, however this cannot
be integrated as the iPads don’t have internet access. I have found time to be a
concept that can be challenging at times to teach as the students within the class
are at two completely different academic levels.

Comparing this mathematics lesson to my English and Science lessons

throughout the day, I can clearly see the areas that should have been
incorporated in to my mathematics lesson. Within my other lessons throughout
the day I did make the learning goals quite clear, which is something that I
should have done more clearly for the students within the mathematics lesson.
Another factor that I should have incorporated within the mathematics lesson is
more enthusiasm – even though the concept of time is boring and a hard subject
for some students, I should have provided them with some incentive to make
them have a more positive outlook on time, therefore making them more
engaged. Some students were also pushing the behaviour expectations
negatively, so I should have been firmer with these students so they didn’t
distract other students within the class or group. I was nervous about being
watched by another teacher within the school which made me feel like my brain
just went blank. This is obviously an area to improve upon within the future as
it is a chance for personal, pedagogical, professional and educational
improvement.