President's Message - December 2014

Holiday Time For Mathematics

At the time of writing this message, I had just completed progress reports for my classes and had enjoyed a professional learning day with my teacher colleagues in advance of the Thanksgiving long weekend: a natural time for reflection and for considering what lies ahead professionally and personally. Progress reports require us as teachers to provide feedback on student learning, especially with regard to their learning skills. Although learning skills are not factored into the evaluation of a student's understanding of the expectations, they could arguably better predict a student's readiness to learn than many other diagnostic tools. Growing Success makes a point of identifying learning skills as a key part of the evaluation process that provides parents, students, and teachers important information. "As students move through the grades, they develop and then consolidate their learning skills and work habits in preparation for postsecondary education and the world of work" (Ontario Ministry of Education, Growing Success, p. 12). I like to ask my students to provide input into the progress reports by doing some reflection and self-evaluation. I ask them to fill in the chart pictured below. Note that I use it at other reporting times as well.

The discussion in class usually focuses on what each one of the learning skills means and the impact they have on overall learning. The particular focus in my class this year has been on self regulation, as I have been concerned with perseverance on tasks and problems: a challenge in math, as the mindset of many students is that if the solution or pathway to a solution doesn't present itself early and easily, then they "don't get it" or can't do it. This is an issue with particular resonance, given that there is a focus on mindsets and how different mindsets can impact student learning. Did I mention that the theme of OAME 2015 is "Building Mathematical Mindsets"?

This year, the discussion in class turned to how I would evaluate myself in each of these learning skills. To be honest, I wasn't prepared for this turn in the discussion. Although my instinctual reaction was to ask the students if they had any homework that needed completing, it did make me pause and think about how these learning skills still play a critical role in my teaching life. After all, aren't we always telling our students that we want them to be lifelong learners? The learning skills aren't limited to the classroom or school halls. Off the top of my head, I think I would evaluate myself with at least a "G" or "E" in the Independent Work learning skill because I did get my progress reports done on time, and this "President's Message" did make it in before the deadline, but my evaluation of the other skills started me thinking and provided a topic for good discussion in the class, in my department, and something to ponder on the drive home from school. As we head into the end of the calendar year, and for many the halfway point of the school year, it may be a good time to think of how you would evaluate yourself in the learning skills that we ask all of our students to demonstrate in their learning.

In my last "President's Message," I asked you as a member to consider how you can become involved in OAME. Have you contacted your local chapter representative? Did you attend one of the many chapter events that were available in the Fall? Did you attend the leadership conference or are you planning on attending the provincial conference in May? As the new year approaches, you may be looking for a resolution. One of the easiest ones to keep may be getting involved in your local chapter.

In closing, I leave you with a couple of notes and reminders. First, welcome to the new editor of the Gazette, Dr. Daniel Jarvis. Many of you will recall his many submissions to the Gazette (I would highly recommend "Up, Down, Sideways: Difficulties of a Daughter and Dad in Learning Mathematics" [Vol. 44 #1, Sept. 2005], a great read about the involvement of parents in student learning.) Dan will be in charge of putting the issues together, and we are certain that he will carry on the great tradition from previous editors. And finally, I would like to revive a feature of the "President's Message" from the time when Jacqueline Hill was OAME president. Jacqueline would end each column with a question for the members, and the first few who would reply to her would receive a small prize. I still have my "I ♥ Math" button from the time I was the lucky winner. And so here is my question: "Who are the keynote speakers for OAME 2015?" If you are one of the first three members to either reply to me by e-mail or tweet your answer to @oamecounts, you will win a small prize for your efforts. On behalf of the OAME executive and board, I wish you all the best for 2015!

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