Investigation of their Mathematical Content Knowledge

Task:

Students complete a series of tasks related to their investigation of their mathematical content knowledge in relation to teaching mathematical concepts to pre-school children aged 2 to 5.

Tasks to investigate:

1. Creating a mathematically rich learning environment designed to encourage children to learn about math and gain a deeper understanding of concepts such as: Problem Solving, Language, One-to-One Correspondence, Number Sense, Shapes, Spatial Sense, Sets and Classifying.
2. Creating opportunities for problem solving during free play activities both indoors and outdoors.
3. Various kinds of group time activities to encourage concepts of numeracy including stories, music and games.

Suggested structure:

Note: All three parts of the assignment should include examples and visual representations.Ensure that the different tasks are age-appropriate, as indicated above.

1. What is a mathematically rich environment? How does a teacher create a mathematically rich environment? what are the elements to be included in the environment to capture and encourage the concepts of problem-solving, language, One-to-One correspondence, number sense, shapes, spatial sense, sets and classifying. (500 words).
2. What is play-based learning? what are the play-based activities (indoors and outdoors activities) that could promote problem-solving skills? (500 words)
3. Describe a group activity? what is the significance of group activities. What are the various kinds of group time activities a teacher can implement to encourage numeracy concepts, including stories, music and games? What are the strategies that can encourage group time activities effectively (500 words)? 

Note: All three parts of the assignment should include examples and visual representations.   Ensure that the different tasks are age-appropriate, as indicated above.