Welcome to Mr. Nantais' Math Blog!

Hello everyone! This week was focused mainly on the differences between conceptual learning and procedural understanding in mathematics classrooms. Procedural understanding is the knowledge of a particular concept based off of memorizing or 'knowing' the steps of a specific problem. Where in contrast, conceptual understanding is actually knowing the meaning of a particular mathematics concept on a deeper level than just simply 'knowing' the steps. Attached are a few examples of the differences between the conceptual and procedural understandings of specific math concepts. Knowing the differences between these types of understandings is imperative as a future math teacher. In terms of theories such as Bloom's taxonomy, procedural understanding does not truly engage students to tap into their higher-order thinking skills as learners. In my opinion, procedural understanding is on the lower end of Bloom's taxonomy, as we are telling students to 'remember...

Hi everyone, and welcome back to my blog! Today's class focused on the mathematical processes involved in the Ontario math curriculum and connecting it to the ideology of a growth mindset, as opposed to a fixed mindset, in the classroom setting. We also briefly discussed the course content that is embedded in the curriculum documents to refresh our memory on what concepts are actually taught in the modern day high school classroom. I felt very confident about the topics of mathematical processes and the Ontario curriculum because I have been tutoring high school math for years now. Doing the discussion about linear, quadratic, exponential, rational, trigonometric and polynomial functions made me reflect on all of my previous tutoring experiences. It also allowed me to connect the curriculum to the mathematical processes. It made me question, how would I help a student with their problem solving skills if I was tutoring a grade nine applied student, versus a grade twelve calculu...

Hi everyone! My name is Jarrett Nantais, and I am a teacher candidate at Brock University, with teachables in mathematics and chemistry.  Mr. Nantais' Math Blog is a blog designed to incorporate reflective practices into the discipline of mathematics education. There will be lots of discussion about teaching and learning mathematics in general, and alternative ways to teach mathematics in a way that will engage students into learning mathematics. The main goal for this course is to gain valuable tools and resources that will help me teach mathematics at the I/S level. I am truly passionate about the topic of mathematics, and I want to find ways to share that passion with other students. I want to finds ways that will help students in finding that connection between the theoretical mathematics they learn in the classroom, and bring those math concepts into practical contexts. Also, as technology is emerging and becoming more prevalent in the classroom, another goal of mine...