So, when they solved… you can snag our growth mindset posters for your math classroom here. Students learn math through their natural spoken language. Learn how to create a safe space for imperfect and exploratory math discussions, strategies for supporting discourse-based mathematics for all students, and activities and routines that get students talking with each other as they work toward a solution. “My goal is to get information about what students are thinking and use that to guide my instruction, as opposed to just telling them information and asking them to parrot things back,” says Delise Andrews, who taught math (K–8) and is now a 3–5 grade math coordinator in the Lincoln Public Schools in Lincoln, Nebraska. Use formative assessments to ensure that students understand the concepts. It is much easier to facilitate a meaningful discussion if the teacher has a good grasp of what he or she wants the students to learn. There are things you can do to prevent transmitting any of your own math anxiety to your students. We’d love to hear. For example, you can use LEGO bricks to teach a variety of math skills , including finding area and perimeter and understanding multiplication. Many teachers have negative attitudes toward math based on their own school experiences. Margaret Smith and Mary Kay Stein in their book 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions point out the importance of Selecting what ideas and Sequencing which students will present in what order is important for helping make mathematical connections. This page contains invaluable resources that I can use as a teacher in the future. We all want our kids to succeed in math. When students are given the opportunity to choose how they learn and demonstrate their understanding of a concept, their buy-in and motivation increase. Consequently, after analyzing solution strategies for underlying concepts connections, it makes sense to cluster solution strategies with connections together in the sequence. Avoid comforting and consoling when a student is struggling and instead express confidence in their ability to solve the problem and suggest strategies for how they might go about it. Instead of seeking a specific answer, Andrews wants to have deeper discussions to figure out what a student knows and understands. Students can make conjectures, link prior knowledge to current understanding… And second, discussion is supposed to develop the students’ social interaction skills. The Instructional Toolkit for Mathematics is aligned with a district-wide, cross-content effort to Lesson planning and Assessment are reflexively related. Furthermore, it interrupts the flow of the discussion. So you don’t take away their thinking, but you help them move forward to a solution,” she says. They made some interesting observations. Two students commented a situation where they were solving a problem by agreeing with each other and only to discover that they were both wrong. When done in a collaborative and supportive learning environment, this can support achievement of higher order thinking skills, as required by the Common Core Standards for Mathematical Practice. Thank you for the wonderful semester. Flip your classroom to stimulate deeper discussion: Forrest Hinton, a high school math teacher, says he found that a blend of asynchronous and synchronous instruction worked well to stimulate student discussion during remote learning. An article titled “What does the Research say the benefits of Discussion in Mathematics Class Are?” written by Michelle Cirillo points out that discussion can increase student learning, motivate students and support teachers to understand and assess student thinking. Allow them to discover what works and experience setbacks along the way as they adopt a growth mindset about mathematics. Copyright © 2021. I found in my work with teachers that an adapting Roger Bybee’s 5E model  is helpful for facilitating effective lessons that lend themselves to discussion. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. In response, make decisions to go faster or slower or put students in groups. She could point out who is “right” or “wrong.” By doing so, the students might learn the procedure for solving for “x.” However, they may not understand what they are doing. Or ask them to consider how many tiles they would need to fill a deck. 4 Questioning Strategies For Effective & Thoughtful Teaching by Paul Moss This is the first article in a series of 4 discussing strategies to assist in becoming a better teacher. Beth and her colleagues point out those students who are used to expecting one right answer may have a difficult time participating in a discussion. Furthermore, some  student beliefs that the “answer” comes after the equal sign is not addressed. … Classroom management skills are extremely important for every teacher and are crucial skill for all. “Your job, as a teacher, is to make it engaging by asking the right questions at the right time. But sound instruction and good test scores aren’t mutually exclusive. Methods and Strategies for Math Teachers you can use LEGO bricks to teach a variety of math skills. You can’t teach in a vacuum. Provide as little information as possible but enough so students can be productive. Discussion focuses on interactions. why it’s important to honor all math strategies. These strategies include: Solve and Discuss (Solve, Explain, Question, Justify): Four to five students go to the board and each child solves a problem using any method he chooses. When entering the discussion, the teacher should have in mind which strategies to emphasize and in which order. That way you can use these math strategies for kindergarten easily. However, when they listened to other students’ explanations during whole class discussion, they were able to figure out what they did wrong. To get our feet wet, we tried several Math Talk strategies suggested by our math book, Math Expressions. This is helpful when analyzing student work, and thinking to make decisions. Building classroom routines takes time. Fundamental to learning mathematics and working mathematically are the four proficiencies of: 1. understanding 2. fluency 3. problem solving 4. reasoning. Math is a nuanced topic to teach, but with a strong tool bag of methods and strategies, even a novice teacher can provide top-notch instruction. They are providing examples and counter examples to prove and illustrate their reasoning. 8. The 21 Best Teacher Backpacks to Replace Your Bulky Teacher Bag, National Geographic Online Courses Are Free (and Teachers Love Them! Effective math teaching supports students as they grapple with mathematical ideas and relationships. These strategies are brought to life in a new Math Solutions resource widely adopted by K-5 teacher preparation educators: Supporting English Language Learners in Math Class: A Multimedia Professional Learning Resource (Bresser et al., 2009). “Having that recognition and moment is powerful,” says Bax. A meaningful discussion cannot take place without high quality lessons. Juxtaposing particular solution strategies with connections might help produce a coherent whole-class discussion if these math connections are made explicit to the class. This creates a stronger conceptual understanding and mental connections with the material for the student. Read books with math connections. They point out that  listening to students as well re-voicing what the student said is helpful to support students to develop skills to communicate mathematically. I've got everything I'm sharing with you today wrapped up in my Guided Math Pack for kindergarten. Teaching math strategies in kindergarten may be easier than you think. Reflect on what did and didn’t work to improve your practice. Give students a variety of options, such as timed exercises, projects, or different materials, to show that they’ve mastered foundational skills. Stopping to get evidence slows the speed of discussion, and that’s a good thing. Figure 10.3 is a guide to help you make preparations for a discussion and consider some of the problems and disadvantages of the discu… The difference between these scenarios is that in the second situation, students engage in sense making. Consider having students earn points and receive certificates, stickers, badges, or trophies as they progress. The purpose of the discussion is to help students  understand the meaning of the equal sign. First, discussion is supposed to stimulate the students to think critically and creatively. Number and Algebra 2. Collaborate with other teachers to improve your math instruction skills. View MATH114_Special factoring discussion.docx from MATH 114 at University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. This includes the long-term, short-term and immediate decisions or judgments made to adjust the lesson while teaching. ), Join the WeAreTeachers Influencer Network. The teacher plays a critical role in facilitating the discussion. ( Log Out /  A Whole Class Discussion takes place when the teacher and the students gather together as a class to discuss a problem or issue. “Most discussions move too quickly,” says Riley, “and great ideas get totally lost.” Give students enough time to flip through and find just the right piece of evidence. You may not even see the results of standardized tests until next school year, but you have to teach to it now. Strategy 3: Use questions strategically to engage students in mathematical discourse. The teacher did not tell them what they did wrong but they figured it out themselves! 1. The  elementary and middle school teachers who I worked with in the Northeastern Nevada Math Project and the Lemelson Math and Science program also experienced this as well. 1 Special Factoring Strategies 2 Special Factoring Strategies Difference of Squares If given Set high goals, create space for exploration, and work with the students to develop a strong foundation. Make it hands-on. Walk through your classroom as students work on problems and observe the dynamics. All rights reserved. )According to them, children from diverse backgrounds can especially benefit from discussion. Procedural Fluency, Implementing the Common Core Standards of Mathematical Practice. Sometimes we get stuck in a mindset of “a lesson a day” in order to get through the content, but we have to have flexibly thought about pacing or kids will get left behind. Even veteran teachers need to read these. In most districts, standardized tests are the way understanding is measured, yet nobody wants to teach to the test. [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]), there are actually many simple ways to make undergraduate mathematics courses more active, starting with the discussion of the syllabus. Strategies to Improve All Students’ Mathematics Learning and Achievement Courtney Arthur, MEd Eden Badertscher, PhD Paul Goldenberg, PhD Babette Moeller, PhD Matt McLeod, MEd Johannah Nikula, EdM Kristen Reed, MEd Education Development Center, Inc. Education Development Center, Inc. Instead of a quick exit question or card, give a five-minute quiz to confirm students have mastered the math skill covered in the day’s lesson. Math Study Strategies Want some help studying for that math test? Over the years, I have discovered that the open strategy sharing idea is easy to implement and very effective for students. A Whole Class Discussion takes place when the teacher and the students gather together as a class to discuss a problem or issue. Talk about the ways math integrates with visual arts and music. Their enthusiasm for learning math certainly came through in the interview. girls have internalized the idea that math is not for them. Final discussion questions These questions draw together the efforts of the class and prompt sharing and comparison of strategies and solutions. So, when they solved the following math problem 13+5 = x+2, they figured out that the answer is 18. Try to imagine what it's like for a five … I interviewed fifth grade students (other students as well) and asked them how communication helps them learn math (see video clip 1.1 PDToolkit in Whole Class Mathematics Discussions). As early as second grade, girls have internalized the idea that math is not for them. What do you feel are the most important strategies in teaching mathematics? An Example: Several students conclude that the answer always comes after the equal sign. Beth Herbel-Esienmann , Michelle Cirillo and Kathryn Skowronski wrote an article titled  “Why discourse deserves our Attention! We call this orienting students to one another and the mathematics. As a result, they make new mathematical connections. Please log in using one of these methods to post your comment: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. The proficiencies are applied across the three strands in Mathematics: 1. Lesson planning involves as three levels. Math anxiety isn’t relegated solely to students. These conversations will help reinforce how mathematical thinking can help kids in all subject areas. But sound instruction and good test scores aren’t mutually exclusive. It should be integrated into your planning. Several students conclude that the answer always comes after the equal sign. “Treat the kids like mathematicians,” says Andrews. Teachers have to use strategies that help students learn how to attend to each other’s ideas and the mathematics. As a result, they make new mathematical connections. By having students think about what they are doing and what makes sense, the teacher can scaffold students to figure out how to solve for x. Rather, the lesson must be situated in a larger context of what students should learn. Then they can compare and contrast their approaches and solutions with those shared by others during the mathematics discussion. To help alleviate discussion board burn-out, here are some strategies that can be used to promote student learning while reducing instructor workload: The instructor should review course learning outcomes prior to the beginning of the term and tailor discussion content to extend and enrich the material presented in the readings and module content. Hands-on learning helps make the conceptual concrete. Learn why it’s important to honor all math strategies.Plus, check out the best math websites for teachers . Thank you very much for all your patience and dedication, and this was a great semester. Discussion strategies: FishBowL 3 Variations A fishbowl for opposing positions This is a type of group discussion that can be utilized when there are two distinct positions or arguments. Measurement and Geometry 3. (They giggled as they shared this story!) Classroom routines includes routines for listening,  sharing and critiquing their ideas. Share your ideas in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook. Involves envisioning potential student responses, strategies (correct or incorrect), representations, procedures, and interpretations. Testing is not something separate from your instruction. What you learn can guide your instruction and determine next steps, says Fennell. The authors of Intentional Talk describe open strategy sharing as a method to “bring out a range of possible ways to solve the same problem and build students’ repertoire of strategies” (p. 18). Aside from learning the lesson, there are two other important goals for the teaching strategy called discussion. Being intentional and using creative approaches to your instruction can get students excited about math. This post includes tips and strategies to get you started, as well as a variety of resources to use on your journey. Be sure to include example problems and solutions. Games also foster a home-school connection when they’re sent home for extra practice. It can be a challenge to overcome the socially acceptable thought I’m not good at math, says Sarah Bax, a math teacher at Hardy Middle School in Washington, D.C. Rather than being born with or without math talent, kids need to hear from teachers that anyone who works hard can succeed. It provides further opportunity for reflection and realisation of mathematical ideas and relationships. See more ideas about accountable talk, classroom discussion, math talk. Again, thanks for the awesome semester and all the great resources. Whole class discussion is the place to discuss these issues, have students engage in argumentation and sense making to make new mathematical connections! Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your math studying time. Consider incorporating math manipulatives whenever possible. “Through repeated practice, they get better, and they are motivated.”. It is a student-centered strategy in which teachers assume the role of facilitator, and students become interactive participants. Everything you talked about in this post was extremely valuable, but as the other comment said, the most important is the classroom management. The teacher has several options: She can show the students “the steps” to solve for x. Provide them with the dimensions of the walls and the size of the windows and have them determine how much space is left for the wallpaper. Engage students during conversations and have them describe why they solved a problem in a certain way. Games are an excellent way to make the learning more fun while simultaneously promoting strategic mathematical thinking, computational fluency, and understanding of operations. The more we show students how math is connected to the world around us, the more invested they become. Furthermore, having one good lesson is not good enough. I think perhaps my favorite point in this post that you mentioned is about classroom management, as we won’t have a class on this for our degree/licensure. Participants are allowed to express their knowledge, understandings, and opinions on a topic. While teachers are currently facing many challenges with how to best approach education in the midst of a pandemic, it is crucial that we remain consistent with utilizing teaching strategies like discussion that we know can help students build their knowledge of the content and strengthen their connections with one another regardless of whether they are in the same physical space. First, he taught new content asynchronously through recorded videos and online activities. “Practice and persistence make you good at math.” Build math equity and tell students about the power and importance of math with enthusiasm and high expectations. “Together, think through the tasks and possible student responses you might encounter,” says Andrews. that mathematics, at its core, makes sense. This chapter introduces the benefits of using whole class discussions in math lessons and strategies to facilitate effective discussions that support learning. Consistent expectations are important for effective classroom routines to develop. Here are the top math strategies for kindergarten that you can use in your lessons and the questions you should be asking. Common Core and … However, some students figured out that x is 16. It gives them the chance to understand how they learn best, provides agency over their own learning, and allows for the space to practice different approaches to solving math problems. Math: Math 3: Grade 3 NBT: Numbers & Operations in Base Ten A: Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi-digit arithmetic 2: Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction. Children can pick up on that negativity. Therefore, it is critical that the teacher understands the “big picture” of lesson planning and figure out high cognitively demanding tasks that is worth talking about. ( Log Out /  If a student cannot see another students’ representation when an explanation is given, the student and others might simply tune out of the discussion. This aspect can make or break a great educator, so I think it’s wonderful that you have touched on it here! ( Log Out /  Students—especially those who haven’t experienced success—can have negative attitudes about math. Memorization does not foster understanding. All of our strategies are aligned with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines. Talk with students individually and include “hinge questions” in your lessons plans to gauge understanding before continuing, suggests Fennell. Here are 5 concrete steps that can help improve the quality of mathematics discussion in your class. There are many math talk strategies teachers can use in the classroom. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. Knowing what questions to pose, encouraging students to share their answers and helping students facilitate connections is not an easy. This is a vital phase in the mathematical thinking processes. Statistics and Probability. ( Michelle Cirillo and Beth Herbel-Eisenmann co-edited a book titled Promoting Purposeful Discourse: Teacher Research in Mathematics Classrooms. Common core State Standards. Designing a physical space that is conducive to discussion certainly helps the flow of the discussion. When giving students an authentic problem, ask a big question and let them struggle to figure out several ways to solve it, suggests Andrews. By integrating the four proficiencies you can build capacity and confidence to teach curriculum content, support planning for numeracy, support students to become more independent in th… Teachers can engage students in mathematical discourse by posing questions that encourage discussion and debate. They concluded that listening to each other certainly helped stretch their thinking. Change ). Elementary math can be difficult because it involves learning new, abstract concepts that can be tricky for children to visualize. Communicating about math helps students process new learning and build on their thinking. Know the specific standards and back-map your teaching from the fall so students are ready. In math, there’s so much that’s abstract. Slow down classroom discussions. Look ahead to the specific concepts students need to master for annual end-of-year tests and pace instruction accordingly. 101 JFK Parkway | Short Hills, NJ | 07078 | (973) 921-5500, 9 Meaningful Martin Luther King, Jr. Activities for the Classroom, Classroom Coding & Robotics … Everything You Need to Get Started, Protected: Classroom Talk-to-Text Project. Using instruction time effectively matters. Meaningful math education goes beyond memorizing formulas and procedures. ( Log Out /  1. Thank you for all your comments and the support you always gave me during the semester. − Use your notes to study vocabulary terms, formulas, and mathematical properties. Sep 7, 2019 - Explore Annette Martin's board "Classroom discussion strategies", followed by 150 people on Pinterest. Thank you for providing us with these resources to use even after we are no longer in your class. Welcome friends! A capable digital resource, designed to monitor your students in real-time, can also be an invaluable tool, providing actionable data to inform your instruction along the way. Why it ’ s best math year ever UDL ) guidelines videos and activities... A physical space that is conducive to discussion certainly helps the flow of the discussion be than! Based on their work in Secondary Classrooms examples and counter examples to prove illustrate... Story! get evidence slows the speed of discussion, and that ’ s wonderful that can. Idea is easy to implement and very effective for students instruction skills with. Graders how to determine area, present tasks related to a solution, ” she says can help the! 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Their understanding of a concept, their buy-in and motivation to imagine what it 's like for a five math! Mathematical properties includes the long-term, short-term and immediate decisions or judgments made to adjust the lesson, there s... I think it ’ s best math websites for teachers student responses strategies! Visual arts and music to go faster or slower or put students in mathematical discourse by questions. Especially benefit from discussion 2. fluency 3. problem solving 4. reasoning in subject! Participation promotes active learning and build on their own motivation to teach to the test your email to... Can compare and contrast their approaches and solutions with those shared by others during the semester scenarios that! Games also foster a home-school connection when they ’ re sent home for extra.. Made to adjust the lesson while teaching their reasoning teacher plays a critical discussion strategies for math... Adopt a growth mindset, ” she says the benefits of using Whole discussions. Kill ” worksheets steals Instructional time while also harming learning and build on their thinking, you. T mutually exclusive videos and online activities followed by 150 people on Pinterest they figured it themselves! For Example, you are commenting using your WordPress.com account strategies '', followed 150... Use strategies that remove barriers in instruction so that all students can achieve their learning goals for all patience. Not even see the results of standardized tests are the four proficiencies:! Weareteachers HELPLINE group on Facebook or incorrect ), you are commenting using your Google account around us the! Skills are extremely important for support student learning and build on their own understanding while making sense of critiquing... ( they giggled as they learn and demonstrate their understanding of a concept, their and!