As our Math Rocks program comes to an end I have been ask to reflect on my experiences this year and what I have learned. I really feel like I have become a better math teacher through this experience and interestingly enough I don't feel like I really learned a new program. Instead I feel like how I think about teaching math has transformed, which can be a hard thing to do.
I feel like my relationship with math has changed because I really have started to think about teaching math in a different way. Math Rocks has taught me different ways to spark curiosity with my students. Before Math Rocks I felt like I was engaging my students, but after letting them explore math instead of just learning it I have seen the level of engagement increase and concepts are better understood.
Math Rocks has also helped me spark curiosity with better beginnings to my class. We learned about Estimation 180, Which One Doesn't Belong, and Math Talks. This year I really have made a point of starting each class with one of these "warm ups," and I have stuck with it! My students really love these activities, and I have seen a great improvement in their number sense and reasonableness.
Math Rocks has really helped me grow as a math teacher; however this has just sparked my curiosity too. I hope to continue this math journey!
