This past Thursday was the last day of my unit. On Thursday I gave my final assessment for my unit. I was happy with the results I found after I did my grading. On Wednesday in class we did review stations for math class. I had four different stations set up. Each station required the students to do something that was important for the equivalent fractions unit we had been working on. One station had the students drawing different fractions and looking at the numerator and denominator. Another station had students looking mathematically solving equivalent fractions with numbers missing in the problems. Another station had students doing a sort to create the definitions for the important words we used in class. There was a game of go fish with equivalent fractions and a station where students drew equivalent fractions. I was walking around the whole time trying to make sure I helped the students I knew were going to have problems with these activities. My CMT was very happy with the lesson this day she thought it was a great review and she thought the students got a lot out of it. It was good because the students got to move around and do different things with fractions.
One of my biggest problems is behavior during station time with students. I think I needed to revisit the norms that I explained at the beginning of my unit so the students knew what I expected. After reflecting on the day I think it would have been beneficial to revisit my norms and expectations with group work. I had some behavior problems during this time. I had to “clip down” one of my students because he was not working on fractions and he was just goofing off. I know that this student has problems with group work and he proved that to me on Wednesday. I moved him back to his desk, which is separate from the rest of the students’ desks and brought him the station work for the rest of the class period. I think if I would have shared my expectations I could have been stricter with him. I thought his behavior was hurting the other students learning which is why I moved him. I think I learned that norms and expectations are important for students to know so they understand when they do not follow them what the consequences will be.
I really enjoyed teaching my math unit. I think it was a great experience. I learned a lot about teaching fourth graders and what they need. I also gained a lot of information about norms in this classroom and how I want to treat norms in my future classroom. I think my unit was successful in the way of student learning. I hope they gained as much from this unit as I did.