I found an interesting article by Dr. Catherine D. Bruce of Trent University. In the article she speaks about the importance of Math-Talk and how it is a foundation to understanding students knowledge and achievement. In the article she lists 5 strategies that encourage high-quality student interaction:
1- The use of rich math tasks (having multiple answers increasing opportunities to justify answers)
2- Justification of solutions
3- Students questioning each other
4- Use of wait time (students need time to think!)
5- Use of guidelines for math-talk
* taken from article
As teachers we are constantly being faced with the lack of time and the pressure of curriculum demands, these strategies suggested take time, however; I have used group problem solving with rich math tasks and the amount of math achieved in the activity goes beyond what a lecture or traditional math class can bring to the students. Something I will do periodically in my class of course it takes time and the curriculum doesn't always allow for the time!
Angela
Bruces, Dr. Catherine D. What works? Research into Practice- Student Interaction in the Math Classroom: Stealing Ideas of Building Understanding. January 2007. The Literacy and Numeracy Secretariant Ontario, Canada.
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