ACTION PLAN MEXICO Improving Teaching Methods in Mathematics and Sciences in Primary Education Lorena Trejo Guerrero

INTRODUCTION Mathematics is a very important of the study program worldwide since it is essential for the education of a person. In the same way, mathematics is considerer as a method to develop creative reasoning in an individual. It is also the foundation for the integration of a person in a world each time more technician. Considering mathematics as strong foundation of education, the educational system of the countries should guarantee the learning of the complete study program. In order to do this, periodic evaluations of educational progress are made. Many countries review and modify their study program on a regular basis in such a way that the education offered will be of high quality. Despite the reforms, students dot not reach a good level of education. It is then necessary to make a more detailed review in other aspects of the curriculum, like for instance, the formation of teachers, the methodology teachers use to teach, etc… Most of the important developed was star of solving problems, each country have different necessities, for example the numbers was developed for ancestral time, all the cultures have a system to count although no alls count the same way.

Project Outline Project Title： Improving Teaching Methods in Mathematics and Sciences in Primary Education Period：august 28 to October 11 of 2008 Project Site: CRICED Tsukuba University. Target Group: Implement the Japanese Lesson Study in Mexico Overall Goal: Implement the Japanese Lesson Study in Hidalgo, Mexico. Project Purpose: Teachers will learn about Japanese Lesson Study Outputs: (1) Workshop, to show the Japanese lesson study. (2) Analyze in group the video about Japanese lesson study (3) conduct workshop to analyze together the teaching experiences.

1. Problem Analysis Why the students of Elementary School can’t solve problems of mathematics by them selves?

Problem Tree The students can solve problems by themselves The teachers can teach with the problem solving The teachers can give opportunities to his/her students to express his opinions The teachers can teach math in active form The teachers can use teaching materials other than the text book The students can express his/her explanation about the process to solve by themselves and promote new problems The teachers can analyze together the teaching experiences The teachers can innovate they skills to design strategies to teach Teachers can consult some additionally Materials before to Make a lesson plan The teachers have skills to integrate the student’s opinions.

Plan of Operations Activity Year 2008 Year 2009 Respon-sible Person Budget Month N D J F M A S O Output 1: The teachers can use materials other than the text book 1-1The teachers need know the characteristics of Japanese Lesson study 1-2 The teacher can teach math in active form. Output 2: The teachers can teach math in active form 2-1 The teachers can learnt of Mr. Tsubota’s Video how improve the skills to teach math in the class room 2.2 The teachers can analyze together the teaching experiences

Plan of Operations Activity Year 2008 Year 2009 Respon-sible Person Budget Month N D J F M A S O Output 3: The teachers can give opportunities to his/her students to express his opinions. 3-1 The students can express his/her explanation about the process to solve by themselves and promote new problems 3.2 The teachers have skills to integrate the student’s opinions. Output 4: The teachers can implement in his/her class room the Japanese Lesson Study

The students can’t solve The teachers can’t teach with Problem Tree The students can’t solve problems by themselves. Core Problem The teachers can’t teach with a problem solving Direct Causes The teachers can’t give opportunities to his/her students To express his opinions The teachers very often use the text book as aim as not a medium to teach math Most teachers teach the math in mechanic form Causes Most teachers not have opportunities to analyze their teaching experiences. The teachers don’t consult the materials before to make a lesson plan Causes The teachers lack skills to integrate the student’s opinions.

From Problem Tree to Objectives Tree The students can solve problems by themselves. Core Objective The teachers can teach with a problem solving Direct Means The teachers can use Teaching methods other than text book The teachers can teach math in active form The teachers can give opportunities to his/her students To express his opinions Means Most teachers have opportunities to analyze their teaching experiences. The teachers consult the materials before to make a lesson plan The teachers have skills to integrate the student’s opinions. Means

Determine the Scope of the Project The students can solve problems by themselves. Project Purpose The teachers can teach with a problem solving The teachers can use Teaching methods other than text book The teachers can teach math in active form The teachers can give opportunities to his/her students to express his opinions Outputs The teachers consult the materials before to make a lesson plan The teachers have opportunities to analyze their teaching experiences. Activities The teachers have skills to integrate the student’s opinions.

Process of the Lesson Study: - Lesson Plan - Presentation - Discussion JAPANEE LESSON STUDY Process of the Lesson Study: - Lesson Plan - Presentation - Discussion We are very interested with the four steps of teaching methods in problem solving: - Understanding problem - Solving problem - Finding problems with each other by reflections Mathematical activities and - Summarizing and presentations by teachers and pupils

Analyze the Japanese Lesson Study 2. Objectives Analysis Analyze the Japanese Lesson Study

We have learn from Prof. Tsubota how to develop teaching strategies: Prof. Tsubota is Japanese famous math teacher such as: - The use of open ended approach is unique in Japan as they modify the original approach - This approach have been found very effective and it is widely used not only in Japan but around the world. With he learn: The importance of the class plan The motivation is very important to develop the class. The students level of understanding must be considered Reasons why the teacher must know this Why the procedures are very important

CHARACTERISTICS OF PROBLEM SOLVING Promote solving problems by themselves - Promote the discussion in smalls groups - Open discussion with all the group - The problems must be related to daily life - Communication between teachers and students is important - Problem representation is important. - To promote the importance of adequate concrete materials in the class room. We have learned from Prof. Yukuta Ohara other methods of how to teach mathematics, for example the origami technical to teach geometry and the use of games in mathematics.

HOW TO ANALYZE OUR PRACTICE We can see the class training and learn that is very important to listen to teachers opinions to improve the teaching strategies. We can learn from our mistakes. We have discussion about the problem solving approach through teaching methods in Math and Science which focus on communication. We have learned from Prof. Seiyama, the new techniques of teaching mathematics in Japan: - Find the problem - Keep open communication - Allow students to express himself/herself using his own words.

Thank you! Arigato! Muchas Gracias!