Lesson 11: The "M" in STEM - Math in Early Childhood

Attention

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able

  • Describe strategies for encouraging math exploration in early childhood education.
  • Discuss the connection between math and intentional teaching practices for extension of learning
  • Use observation to inform lesson planning.
  • Create a purposeful math lesson plan based on children’s interests or goals.
  • Implement lesson plan.
  • Reflect upon lesson planning implementation and use it as an opportunity for growth.

Teaching

What exactly is math and what does that look like in early childhood?

Of course, like every other topic, NAEYC has prepared a position statement on Early Childhood Mathematics.  In collaboration with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, they stressed that mathematic education is a vital foundation for future mathematics learning.  Although the article below discusses the challenges, principles, and recommendations for best math practice with 3-6 year olds; please keep in mind when reading, that math preparation is equally important for children ages birth to 3.  As you will read in NAEYC’s article, Infants and Toddlers Exploring Mathematics, there are a number of things you might see when playing with an infant or toddler that classifies as a pre-math skill.  It is simple and easy!

Similar to all of the other topics in early childhood education, it is not the subject matter that is hard; it is the observation and intentionality of the subject that matters.  Children often are natural mathematicians.  They are born to bang on things and pretend to do what they see others doing.  They will naturally dump everything out of the basket or bucket.  They will also move up, down, around and through objects.  THIS is ALL math!  Our job is to take these experiences and scaffold their development towards the love of math learning in the later years. 

Read Infants and Toddlers Exploring Mathematics and note all of the things you have seen infants and toddlers to on the list.  Did you realize that was pre-mathematic skills?

Watch the following video titled "Using Math Talk to Support Learning"

 

Read The Classroom that Math Built: Encouraging Young Mathemeticians to Pose Problems. Take notes on the progession of math skills from infancy to the time they reach the early primary grade years.

Assessment

Lesson 11 Quiz

  1. Describe the progression of math skills from infancy to the early primary grade years.
  2. Explain the importance of early math foundational skills and how it relates to the later years.
  3. Summarize how this impacts your early childhood teaching strategies with young children. 

Lesson 11 Assignment

Part 1: Observation and Planning

You will be using the Anecdotal Form and Lesson Plan Form for this assignment.

A key component to your Practicum experience is to engage in the process of observing, planning, implementing and reflecting on lessons.

Below you will find instructions on each step of this process. During the First part of this assignment you will first, complete an observation. At the end of the observation in the space provided you will reflect upon your observation using the prompts below. You will then use this observation process to create a lesson plan. You will be using specific forms that we have created to do this.

  • Observation
    • Using the anecdotal form provided, observe children for 20 minutes who are engaged in an activity. This could be a planned activity (large group or small), free play (outside or in) or another time where you think you might capture children using their natural math skills.
    • In the comments section of the anecdotal recording form, jot down specific examples of how math was used and how it relates to science.
    • From your observation, what do you think the children are interested in or could use more support in? 
    • What activity will you create to support that interest or skill you observed?
  • Planning
    • Create a lesson plan using the lesson plan format provided
      • Assure that the lesson plan is derived from the observation you took!
      • Check with your cooperating teacher and/or instructor to see if it is a good fit for your placement and PLAN AHEAD to implement.

Put all of these documents together and submit them to the "Lesson 11 Assignment - Part 1" Drop Box

Part 2: Implementation

You will be using the Reflection Form in this assignment.

In this second part of the assignment you are expected to actually implement the Lesson Plan you created in the first part.

  • Implement the Lesson Plan
    • Be sure to check with your cooperating teacher on a time and day!
    • Also check with the cooperating teacher to be sure this is a fit for teh curriculum.
    • It is possible that you will be observed (or recorded) during one or all of your lesson plans. Be prepared!
  • Complete reflection/analysis using the format provided.
    • Your reflection should be THOROUGHT.
    • Ask your cooperating teacher for feedback.
    • There are no "wrong answers" when you reflect. You are graded on your ability to reflect and GROW through the process of reflection.

Submit this to the "Lesson 11 Assignment - Part 2" Drop Box