Digital Promise Signature Workspace
Digital Strategies for Teaching the Language of Math
This workspace highlights ways in which research-based strategies and resources can be used to support math learners in a digital setting, especially in the shift to learning at home and remotely.
Transcript
when students create their own math
problems
they connect new math concepts to their
prior knowledge and lived experiences
what's great about student generated
problems is that they combine
both conceptual and procedural knowledge
on top of that the creative process
pushes students to use
higher order thinking and to practice
math communication
there are many types of math problems
you can have students create
word problems number problems graphing
problems error analyses
in fact we've created a specific list of
ideas
and visuals to inspire you and your
students
in math puzzle maker and speak agent we
take it one step further
students create a math challenge for a
classmate to solve
it's similar to the three-act math model
students begin with a visual stimulus
they're prompted to think about a
specific math question
and get a quick recap of what the math
concept is
in this case the circumference of a
circle
now the twist is that in act two of the
three act model
students need to think about the
information someone else will need to
solve their problem
the sample on the right hand side is
just there to show students what a good
math problem looks like
now it's up to the student to come up
with a creative idea
students may find it helpful to draw
some ideas on a piece of paper and work
out the problem first
it's okay for them to use a calculator
or other math tools
and in the third act the student needs
to lay out the solution steps for the
problem they created
there is a checklist so that students
remember to check their answers
and make sure the problem includes all
the information that a classmate will
need to solve it
once the puzzle is written students send
it to you for your approval
you can preview the puzzle and accept it
or send feedback for the student to
improve it
once approved speak agent automatically
assigns the puzzle
to a random classmate who gets a
notification
the puzzle solver works out the answer
using whatever tools are appropriate
puzzle solvers are asked to include
their solution steps
we'll use that later next
the puzzle solver will rate the quality
of the puzzle
students earn badges for high rating so
this gives them extra motivation
now here's where the solution steps come
in students compare their answers
this can lead to great teachable moments
where there's more than one way to get
to the right answer
that's it once a puzzle is done you can
check out
all the puzzles a student has made in
their digital portfolios
you can also see what ratings were given
on each puzzle
this strategy does require more
moderation effort than
any other type of activity in speak
agent but i hope you'll agree
that the learning impact not to mention
the motivation and creativity this
unleashes
absolutely justifies the extra effort
good luck
Math + Language = Equity
Ideas for Student-Generated Problems (Google Doc)
Strategy Brief: Real-World Math
Strategy Brief: Student Generated Problems
Strategy Brief: Writing Models
Strategy Brief: Visual Representations
Strategies to support math academic language
Math 3-6
A word wall helps build the Math Communication and vocabulary skills that are necessary for problem solving.
Math 3-6
Sentence frames or stems can serve as language support to enrich students' participation in academic discussions.
Math 3-6
Instruction in multiple formats allows students to activate different cognitive skills to understand and remember the steps they are to take in their math work.
Math 3-6
Attributing results to controllable aspects (strategy and effort) fosters students' beliefs in self.
Math 3-6
Knowing the language of math is critical because students must use this language to understand math concepts and determine calculations needed.
Math 3-6
When students create their own number and word problems, they connect math concepts to their background knowledge and lived experiences.
Math 3-6
Visual representations help students understand what a number represents as well as recognize relationships between numbers.
Math 3-6
When students explain their thinking process aloud with guidance in response to questions or prompts, they recognize the strategies they use and solidify their understanding.
Math 3-6
Analyzing incorrect worked examples is especially beneficial for helping students develop a conceptual understanding of mathematical processes.
Math 3-6
Providing students a voice in their learning is critical for making learning meaningful.
Math 3-6
When teachers connect math to the students' world, students see how math is relevant and applicable to their daily lives.
Math 3-6
Writing that encourages students to articulate their understanding of math concepts or explain math ideas helps deepen students' mathematical understanding.
learner factors related to math academic language
Language and literacy skills support many aspects of math problem solving.
Geometric Reasoning involves using abstract thinking to define, analyze, and make arguments about shapes and spatial relationships.
Algebraic Thinking is the ability to generalize, represent, justify, and reason with abstract mathematical structures and relationships.
Reasoning is the ability to think abstractly, draw inferences, identify patterns and relationships, and apply logic in order to flexibly solve novel problems.
Math Mindset includes learners' self-concept and self-efficacy beliefs as well as their mindset toward failure, all of which shape their willingness to get involved with mathematics.
A student's Math Learning Environment encompasses the opportunities provided by their home, school, and community that contribute to their development of math knowledge and skills.
