Wong's Chapter Three:

            Wong’s chapter 3 is very interesting because it makes a valid point that is beneficial for every teacher and not just the ESL teacher. She explains that students cannot simply learn if they are not engaged. As future educators, we must move award from the traditional methods of teaching, and focus on strategies that engage our students. If our students are engaged then they will be learning without even knowing it. This is where the author brings in problem solving and the importance of it. Wong states, “When children are presented with manipulatives and a series of problems that involve grouping, they can, over time, figure out an abstract way to represent their actions. When they have figured out the process, they remember it and they can apply it to a new situations because they understand what they are doing” (87). Furthermore, Wong presents research where student teachers are asked to utilize problem solving through tool and mediation. In Charlie’s example, he wanted to teach his students “standard unit of measurement;” He did this by posing problem solving and engaging the students in a class activity. Through the activity, he asked the students further questions that got them thinking and helped them understand the concepts.