Hopeful Posts from China and Ideas about my Curriculum

I have signed a contract to teach AP Calculus in Wuxi, China. I will be teaching the class in English and I am told that the students can speak English very well. I hope to keep you informed about my teaching and what is going on in my classroom in China by emailing my posts to this blog. I hope this e-mail method will work in China since I am very sure that blogspot is not available in China.

I will be taking my idea about math journals with me and try to implement it in China. I will have them writing every day to build their English skills. AP also requires students to justify their answers with words. They believe in Calculus with words. Therefore doing this will help them build their English skills and prepare for the AP test. I hope to continue researching the use of journals and hope to one day publish an article about math journals because it is a big passion of mine. I think I will start the class in the beginning about why we would write in math class? Then do a think, pair, share activity with the free response. I want to do this to help build student buy in. Although I think the Chinese students may not question it as much. There is a lot of possibilities. I am really curious if my idea of journals will be well received or how it will be received.

I am a little worried about teaching AP calculus. My calculus is kind of rusty and I know the Chinese students will expect me to be on top of the subject. It is tough material to teach and learn. I still don't think I have a deep enough grasp of it. My college Calculus course did not prepare me or give me a deep understanding of Calculus like the AP test requires. I just want to be the best teacher I can be and I know that will be hard to do teaching Calculus. However I can only do my best and try my hardest. I just hold myself to high standards and I am worried to fall below them in the Chinese culture.

I tried writing some lesson plans before I left, but I couldn't do it since I didn't have a feel for the students and the school. I want to get know my students better before I start planning. I also need to speak more in depth with the previous teacher about where the best place is to start, what to review, and where the students struggled previously.

So I am nervous and excited to start my teaching career. I just have to keep in mind that I am always learning and my teaching will keep improving. It will all become more natural and become a second nature. I am starting a fulfilling and rewarding career that I have always dreamed about.