What's the big idea?

What is a big idea?

Think of a big idea as a pillar that supports the type of program that you, as a teacher, create to teach your students the fundamental skills that they will require to become successful in math.  It is a common thread that ties together all of the concepts that you will introduce to your students and that they will in turn look for in subsequent learning.

My Big Idea

I am going to borrow my big idea from Randall I. Charles' Big Idea #3 in, Big Ideas and Understandings as the Foundation for Elementary and Middle School Mathematics(2005).

    
"Any number, measure, numerical expression, algebraic expression, or equation can be represented in an infinite number of ways that have the same value."(2005 Charles)

I have chosen this big idea because I feel it is essential for every student to recognize the relationship between numbers and their equivalencies to gather a strong understanding of how to break numbers apart and represent them in different ways.  Students who can grasp this big idea are able to manipulate numbers in order to problem solve with ease.

Reference
Charles, Randall I. (2005)  Big Ideas and Understandings as the Foundation for Elementary and
     Middle School Mathematics.  Journal of Mathematics Education Leadership, vol 7, number 3.

A Background

Math has always been one of my favorite subjects.  It was one area that I didn't need to struggle to get decent grades and the homework didn't seem daunting.  I attribute this not to natural ability but to good teachers at a young age.  Their passion for mathematics inspired me to work hard at learning the basics.  With basic knowledge under my belt, new problems were a breeze.
As a soon to be teacher, I hope to instill that kind of passion for learning in my students.  That's my goal and I'm sticking to it!