Clip 16/20: Multiplying and Factoring Polynomial Expressions Debrief Part 2
Overview
SVMI mathematics coach Pam Brousseau asks Melissa Nix how she observed students’ sense-making evolve over the course of the lesson. Melissa notes that requiring students to connect expressions with visual representations develops their grasp of math concepts.
Melissa describes various teacher moves she used, like individual think time, partner tasks, and sharing in groups of four. “The more that I can have them explain it, the more empowered they will be, and the more ownership they will have of it. If I can facilitate that happening as often as I can, I think it's a powerful math classroom experience.”
Teacher Commentary
Teacher Commentary
When we think about students’ sense-making, we can think about taking some of that cognitive demand and raise it up a little bit so that it's not just a drill. I think sometimes in classrooms, there is opportunity and time for practice, for procedural fluency. Asking students, “What's familiar to you about this task? Does it look like anything you've done before? What do you know? What are you curious about? What do you want to know about this question?”