Improving Second Graders ' Communication Of Mathematical Thinking

In a math classroom, the teacher cannot neglect the need for providing a print rich environment. “Word walls are a technique that many classroom teachers use to help students become fluent with the language of mathematics. It is vital that vocabulary be taught as part of a lesson and not be taught as a separate activity” (Draper, 2012). Draper acknowledges the fact that words in mathematics may be confusing for students to study as “words and phrases that mean one thing in the world of mathematics mean another in every day context. For example, the word “similar” means “alike” in everyday usage, whereas in mathematics similar has to have proportionality” (Draper, 2012). Fites (2002) argues that the way a math problem is written drastically will effect a student’s performance, not just in reading the problem, but in solving the math equation as well. There is where the misinterpreting of different word meanings in math comes into play. Fites continues with the importance of understanding vocabulary not just in reading but for math as well with the correlation between improved vocabularies in math yields improvement on verbal problem solving

Example. Solving equations using reasoning and prior knowledge allow students to develop effective reasoning strategies. Through reasoning students gain confidence and conceptual understanding that help them connect ideas to the real world. Let us say that Roberta had 26 papers in her desk. The teacher gave her some more papers and now she has 104. How many papers did her teacher give her?

The teacher gathers students on the carpet and draws a circle with a dot at the center on the IWB and questions children about their feedback on it and expects for mathematical terms circle, round, one, center, radius, diameter and circumference. She concludes that a single picture represents more mathematical concepts.

Student B demonstrates mathematical strengths in the explanation of both solutions of the area and perimeter, although one of the formula used was incorrect. Mathematical strength was also displayed in the actual multiplication 5x2x5x2=100, and addition 5+2+5+2=14 cm, failing to include the units of measurement

After the school approved this research, all three teachers of 433 math were contacted for the possibility of the study being conducted in their classrooms. All three happily agreed to take part in this study. Approximately, three days before data collection, the teachers passed out an Opt-Out form (see Appendix I) to the students. This form allowed the students and their parents to choose not to participate in the study. All students who do not return the form participated in the Do-Now. The teacher received a manila folder with two different variations of the Do-Now, fluent and disfluent (see Appendix II and III). The folder contained the exact number of papers as students in the class. Within the folder, there was an equal number of fluent

strategies and learning tasks to re-engage students (including what you and the students will be doing)

Teachers play an important role in fostering mathematics skills. In the “play dough” (Appendix A) episode, the educators can push student thinking and place the burden of thought on the student. Strategic questioning can really promote higher order thinking a natural integration between math and play (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM], 1999). Questions such as “How can you tell which one is the biggest/smallest? How do you put them in order? Teachers should be encouraged to think about, not only the questions they are asking as children are working but also the frame that sets students off to larger problem solving and mathematical discoveries – measure and compare the lengths and capacities (ACARA, 2016). It is important for teachers to think about the questions that are embedded in the task itself but must also analyse the questions to ensure that children are set on a path to deeper understanding of the concept being taught rather than rote regurgitation – as evident in the play dough experience chosen. When it comes to questioning, educators “need to know when to probe, when to wait for answers and when to reinforce responses and when not ta ask questions” (NCTM, 1999, p.187). As seen in the ‘play dough’ (Appendix A) activity chosen, educators can introduce the mathematical concept of measurement and connect new knowledge with old through the use of effective questioning which crates a “link between actions and the language” (Knaus, 2013,

communicating mathematical thinking orally, visually, and in writing, using everyday language, grade-appropriate mathematical vocabulary, and a variety of representations and conventions

Essay: Part I: discussion: how children with eal can be included in the daily mathematics lesson..

Next, I observed for thirty-two hours solely in a fourth grade classroom. The mathematics time I observed in this class was spent working on problems out of a mathematics textbook. The students moved problem-by-problem and page-by-page through this textbook. Since this technique requires little to no critical thinking, it is not likely that they will recall how to solve the problems. Lastly, I spent thirty-two hours observing two sixth grade mathematics classes. The first class was students, who were performing at grade-level, and the other class was students who were performing below grade level, however both classes used the same teaching techniques. The teacher lectured, the students took notes, and then the students completed an electronic worksheet. The students then had to write their answers down on a physical piece of paper to turn in for their grade. The students were wasting time by having to copy down answers instead of learning more about mathematics. Students are not retaining what they have been taught because of the low level of critical thinking currently being used in schools.

that would allow students to explore multiplication as equal groups through a familiar context” (Ex. Lines 4 and 5 provide evidence of established a mathematical goal to focus learning). The teacher also reminded the students of the initial goal,” ‘So, tell me about your picture. How does it show the setup 28 of the chairs for the band concert?’" (Ex. Lines 28 and 29 provide evidence of established a mathematical goal to focus learning).

Make sense of problems - explain their thought processes in solving a problem one way (1a I)

Traditionally, mathematics and language-based subjects have been seen as occurring on opposite sides of a great divide. However, in recent years teachers have realised the importance of talk across the curriculum including mathematics. This is supported by the DfEE (1999a, p11) who state that ‘high quality interactive teaching is oral, interactive and lively. It is a two way process in which pupils are expected to play an interactive role by answering questions, contributing points to discussions, and explaining and demonstrating their methods to the class.’ The recent Cambridge review reinforced the message that ‘teachers

Maths is ubiquitous in our lives, but depending on the learning received as a child it could inspire or frighten. If a child has a negative experience in mathematics, that experience has the ability to affect his/her attitude toward mathematics as an adult. Solso (2009) explains that math has the ability to confuse, frighten, and frustrate learners of all ages; Math also has the ability to inspire, encourage and achieve. Almost all daily activities include some form of mathematical procedure, whether people are aware of it or not. Possessing a solid learning foundation for math is vital to ensure a lifelong understanding of math. This essay will discuss why it is crucial to develop in children the ability to tackle problems with initiative and confidence (Anghileri, 2006, p. 2) and why mathematics has changed from careful rehearsal of standard procedures to a focus on mathematical thinking and communication to prepare them for the world of tomorrow (Anghileri).

Mathematics, like every creation of man, have evolved without really knowing how far you can get with them: the scope of the computer, physics, chemistry, algebra, all are evidence of this. Every aspect of our culture is based in some way or another in Mathematics: language, music, dance, art, sculpture, architecture, biology, daily life. All these areas of measurements and calculations are accurate. Even in nature, everything follows a precise pattern and a precise order: a flower, a shell, a butterfly, day and night, the seasons. All this makes mathematics essential for human life and they can not be limited only to a matter within the school curriculum; here lies the importance of teaching math in a pleasure, enjoyable and understandable way. Mathematics is an aid to the development of the child and should be seen as an aid to life and not as an obstacle in their lifes.