Making Sense of Mathematics Together
Mathematical investigations present new and sometimes unexpected mathematical situations, so the teacher cannot have taught the way to solve the problem in advance. The student needs to apply prior knowledge in ways that make sense to the situation. There may be many paths to follow and many outcomes, depending on the problem; the student must make his or her own plan for finding a solution.
Parents can assist their children to be independent problem solvers by becoming guides or questioners. They do not need to know how to solve the problem themselves, but can help the students think through the problem and make a realistic plan for solving it.
USE FREELY any questions that will help students think about the way they are tackling the problem:
- What have you tried so far?
- Is there another way to look at the problem?
- Can you explain this to me?
- What makes sense so far?
- Is this like any other problem that you have worked on in any way?
- What is it you are trying to do/solve/find out?
USE SPARINGLY those questions that tend to direct students’ thinking:
- How might you organize this?
- Can you make a table of your results?
- Can you see any patterns?
- Have you tried smaller (or simpler) cases?
- How can you get started?
- Have you checked to see that the solution works?
- What would happen if…?
AVOID any hint or question referring to the particular problem:
- Do you recognize square numbers?
- Explore it like this, or try this…
- Why not try three counters?
- That’s not quite what I had in mind…
- No, you should…
Reprinted with permission: Helping With Math at Home
(Heinemann, 2006).
Adapted from Shell Centre for Mathematical Education’s Problems with Pattern and Numbers (1984, 2001).
www.mathshell.com
Reprinted with permission: Heinemann and Shell Centre.