As I read this chapter, I kept thinking back to all of the conversations I have been having with my math colleagues. The ideas in chapter 10 mesh with the Common Core Standards. big idea 10 talks about students learning through practice and reflection. Teachers need to see themselves as connectors of content and people. Due to the Common Core, I am doing things in my Algebra 1 that I did not do in. My algebra 1 class five years ago. What I did five years ago was probably totally boring to those kids. I am definitely asking them to conjecture more, write more and think more ( think differently).
Mastery is the product, not the test. I am ambivalent about this one. I think it is a mix. when kids get together to do something that is graded, there is usually one student who does nothing. I believe that accountability is key. If the group then suffers, then the grade may not be accurate. Of course, other lessons are learned, the "working with people" lesson. I still believe that working independently for an audience of one (me) is a good thing for kids. In this world of technology, the kids lack patience. I find I am always referring back to teaching kids about patience and perseverance.
There were a lot of good things presented in this book. I believe that it still comes down to the teacher being a good teacher and knowing how to balance everything.
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