4 Stages of teaching

In teaching Math, I have learnt the 4 stages of teaching.

1.      Modelling

2.      Scaffolding

3.      Providing

4.      Explaining

It is imperative for teachers to model first on how to find the solution to the problem sum. Give much support where necessary. After that stage, teachers can move on to scaffold and facilitate their teaching. Prompt the students too when need be and providing them with the possible solutions. The last stage would be the explaining stage. This is the high level process whereby the students are able to do most of the problem sums independently with no more of modelling, scaffolding and providing them but to explain what the problem is and they work the sums on their own. Vygotsky said that learning should happen in a group. It is beneficial that children learn in a social group. Bruner on the other hand believed in the CPA approach. That is through Concrete – Pictorial – Abstract.

“People are made clever, not born clever” ~ Jean Piaget

The difference between assimilation and accommodation in Math:

Assimilation	Accommodation
ü  A child will see numbers and add. For example: 1 apple + 2 apples = 3 apples ü  A child will encounter something existing.	ü  A child is able to encounter a conflicting problem. ü  A child will know that he/she has to solve the problem. ü  Modify his/her thinking ü  Create schema

 

*Implication: An adult shouldn’t be presenting things crystal clear for children. In simpler context: Do not spoon feed a child. Let him explore and try. It is alright to let the child know that it is fine to make mistakes. We learn and avoid it from reiterating.