K-8 article reflection: What is mathematical understanding?
What is mathematical understanding? Obviously, not an easy question to answer. Maybe it is one of those questions that is easier to pin down by saying what it is not….
learning mathematics with understanding
(Authors: James Hiebert, Thomas P.
Carpenter, Elizabeth Fennema, et. al.)
My summarizing thinking questions (using the helpful verb list at http://www.teach-nology.com/worksheets/time_savers/bloom/) for us are:
1) What is mathematical understanding?
2) How do reflection and communication enhance mathematical understanding?
3) Prioritize the 5 dimensions in terms of your own classroom and outline what your personal approach is to each of them.
The 5 dimensions the article refers to are:
a) Nature of Classroom Tasks
b) Role of the Teacher
c) Social Culture of the Classroom
d) Mathematical tools as learning supports
e) Equity and Accessibility
4) Propose an opportunity for learning that you might envision in your class for students to reflect and communicate mathematically.
I love Bloom’s Taxonomy and how it fits in with good questioning. Check out the link from Manitoba Education and Youth’s Literacy with ICT document: http://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/tech/lict/resources/handbook/section2.pdf see page 16
