What are the purposes of mistakes/problems when learning math?
- Teachers can determine where students need support
- Learning is a messy process and so if no mistakes are occurring, then learning is often not happening at an effective rate
- Students learn from each other by explaining their thinking and then being challenged and encouraged by the teacher/peers through feedback
- Ultimately mistakes allow for a deeper level of understanding
- “I haven’t failed; I have just found 10,000 ways that didn’t work” - Thomas Edison
How do I develop math communication skills in the classroom?
- Teach students how to talk about math (questioning, explaining)
- Creating a math word wall of key language
- Use stories to help teach concepts - primary students love being read to
- Use oral and writing prompts such as "Show me how you..."
- Model math speech through think-alouds
- Create math tasks that are worth talking about/discussing (rich tasks)
- Provide wait-time after asking questions
- Teach cues "thumbs up/middle/down"
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