Lab+1

=Lab 1 = =__A Synthesis of Our Students __= =Mathematical Dispositions - student attitudes, curiosity, flexibility, and persistence in mathematics. =

=Social Development - the students’ ability and experience in expressing themselves in constructive ways, negotiating and solving problems, and getting along with others. =

=Family and Community Context - cultural context, knowledge acquired outside of school, socio-economic background, access to technology, and home/community resources. =

 ====If a teacher is able to identify and understand the social context of your students’ learning in the classroom, there is a better chance of relating the material to the students both individually and as a group. If the students can relate to the topics in class there is a better chance of arousing curiosity. Relating the material to the student may also help to make the student feel respected which should improve their attitude and willingness to persist in situations that they find difficult. ====



        <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 11pt;"> Before students can be successfully placed in a cooperative group learning context, educators need to establish a key component – Can the student cooperate? The implications of identifying and understanding the students’ ability to get along with others will be an important determinant to overall learning outcomes. Cooperative group learning, in and of itself, is an opportunity for social development, a learned set of behaviors. The big question remains: are students learning social development at the expense of learning mathematics? It becomes critical for math teachers to gauge the level of social development in a student. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">

====<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Students' family backgrounds are an asset to the classroom and should be used to explore prior knowledge and connections. When students are successful outside of school, as in sports, youth groups, scouting or community events, their self-efficacy outside the classroom might transfer to the classroom with real life connections. ====