Teaching Reasoning Methods in the Classroom Essays

In High Schools across America, students are being told to analyze, synthesize, evaluate, and so on. But do students truly understand what is being asked of them? Has anyone actually taken the time to explain to them what it means to analyze something? A student told to analyze a text may provide a combination of summary and opinion. These two items, while important, do not add up to analysis. Analysis is a more exact process than simply playing critic. In An Introduction to Student Involved Assessment for Learning, Rick Stiggins (2012) walks the reader through a variety of reasoning methods including but not exclusive to analysis, synthesis, and evaluative reasoning. He helps the reader to understand the importance of the cognitive†¦show more content†¦In science, students can use and create visuals to help them understand how different things work together to create a whole. In English, students can be involved in a discussion of what goes in to a good term paper. By playi ng around with the elements themselves, they will be more apt to understand how and why they are important. Stiggins (2012) suggests using charts that illustrate the analytical process and â€Å"highlight analytical inferences† (2012, p. 52). This can be helpful as a guide for students practicing this sort of thinking. They should be encouraged to make their own charts and recognize when they are making an inference. Stiggins (2012) states that synthesis is when two different types of knowledge are integrated in a single project or activity. He illustrates this idea by describing a classroom of students, all of whom have read the same two short stories. These students must first analyze the structure of these stories. They must then take these observations and sort them into a set of generalizations about short story structure. These students are applying knowledge about things that are very specific, comparing that knowledge, and using it to make broad inferences about the bigger picture. Synthesis is always about the bigger picture. A great way to encourage synthesis in the classroom is through collaboration with other subject area teachers. For example, an English teacher may choose to teachShow MoreRelatedMy Teaching Style And Classroom Discipline Methods921 Words   |  4 PagesWhen I first looked over this assignment I must say I was very excited to take both of these â€Å"tests† t o find out what my teaching style and classroom discipline methods were. The scores in my results of my teaching style inventory were all very close and are as follows: Expert 3, Formal authority 3.75, Personal Model 3.5, Facilitator 4.5, and Delegator 3.375. In an ideal world, I would like to think that I teach using all of these â€Å"personalities† at different times. However, while my scores are allRead MoreImportance Of Proofs Of Teaching Mathematical Proofs884 Words   |  4 Pagesto discuss the importance of teaching mathematical proofs in school. They continue on to express reasons why students need proofs and the multiple ways in which teachers can facilitate the learning and importance of proofs to their students. Zaslavsky et al. (2012) cite numerous reasons for the importance of proofs, but the most prominent reasons include strengthening student’s ability to communicate mathematical knowledge, to instill problem solving skills and methods, and lastly, to fulfill humanRead MorePerceptions Of Attitudes Towards Statistics1741 Words   |  7 Pages2 Background In this section, we discuss the current literature available pertaining to attitudes towards statistics along with the theoretical perspective on certain aspects of attitudes, statistical reasoning, and the statistics education reform movement in order to determine what role attitudes toward statistics may have on secondary level mathematics teachers who teach statistics. Firstly, we provide a literature review on teacher’s attitudes toward statistics followed by a discussion onRead More Statement of Philosophies of Teaching and Learning Essay670 Words   |  3 PagesStatement of Philosophies of Teaching and Learning Teaching is about preparing an individual to survive in the world around them. In an educational institution, not only are you relaying information of a certain content area to a student as a teacher, but also you are showing this individual how to learn, listen, cooperate, and be responsible. Concepts that are foreign and unknown must be made familiar, from the ancient civilizations to working in groups with people unlike you. PreparingRead MoreIntegrated Units Of Study Methods1374 Words   |  6 Pagesscientists use mathematics and language arts as tools, children should have opportunities to apply and enhance their mathematics, reading, and writing skills while investigating the natural world (Bass, Contant, and Carin, 2009, p.231). 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To help keep the students and the teacher on the right trackRead More Critical Thinking Is More than Common Sense Essays1321 Words   |  6 Pageshow to compile trivia and miscellaneous facts, but few have truly embraced the method of critical thought in the classroom. Kansans praise the system for the improving test scores, yet they fail to see through the blanket of such pseudo-success, and they do not realize the true mediocrity of the Ka nsas educational curriculum. Secondary schools in Kansas should place a greater emphasis on critical thinking in the classroom. As indicated by studies from the National Assessment of Educational ProgressRead MoreEducators Struggle with Philosophy1075 Words   |  4 Pagesdifficult to make decisions within the classroom, creating curriculums and evaluate progress. Although a person can set goals without having a philosophy implemented, not having the foundation of a set philosophy (core set of beliefs) achieving the goals can be a very difficult challenge. Educators need a starting point to understand why we think and act the way we do in our classrooms. Having a philosophy allows an educator to reflect on how to make classroom actions consistent with our beliefs relatedRead MoreEssay on My Philosophy of Education1206 Words   |  5 Pagesdifficult to make decisions within the classroom, creating curriculums and evaluate progress. Although a person can set goals without having a philosophy implemented, not having the foundation of a set philosophy (core set of beliefs) achieving the goals can be a very difficult challenge. Educators need a starting point to understand why we think and act the way we do in our classrooms. Having a philosophy allows an educator to reflect on how to make classroom actions consistent with our beliefs relatedRead MoreAnalysis Of Howard Gardner On Multiple Intelligences1380 Words   |  6 Pagesin this case is learning the in the classroom, and can affect how well a student performs in a certain class. Intelligence also has a biological foundation, which means that the potential for a child to reach full mental capacity is determined by his or her genetics. However, intelligence is not completely biologically deterministic because the nurturing of the child can also affect how intelligent he or she can become, which can also take part in the classroom. Students have their strengths and weaknesses