Our approach to teaching mathematics (i.e. letting students explore and grow their own understanding of the material) is challenging for students who are used to being shown the pattern, practicing and then showing ‘mastery’ of the skill.
We are asking students to find patterns and learn the language of mathematics so they can share the patterns they are discovering with those around them. Since variables are very hard for many to ‘hold’, it is helpful for them to use numbers until they are able to see the pattern in words. As they look for patterns, use numbers that they can ‘see’ and then push them to the higher numbers which will force them to think in terms of variables.
Some things to remember as students engage in mathematics…
– Remind students continually that we learn from the mistakes we make. Students will find patterns and see solutions differently – encourage this process.
– It is easier to ‘not care’ about the work than to admit struggling with the material.
– Seek to find a variety of entry points into every problem but do NOT get pulled in to doing the work for students.
– Encourage students to ask their peer if they agree with their answer which promotes the idea that you are not the sole authority on math correctness.
– Even you can be wrong so they should question the work you are doing as well as their own. It is a very good thing to have students challenge the answer you have provided (even if you are right). Encourage this! For struggling learners this is a huge step in the right direction and every once in a while it wouldn’t hurt to purposely do something for them to ‘catch’.
As you work through teaching Unit 1 and 2 of the Agile Mind curriculum, I have tried to summarize the key skills students will be able to do moving forward through the activities they will do in class. While students will explore many different ideas through each of the units, these are the ones they should hold on to as they move forward. Here is the overview I provide the tutors who work with kids through this unit to be sure the students are staying on track.