Clip 19/20: Multiplying and Factoring Polynomial Expressions Debrief Part 5
Overview
SVMI mathematics coach Pam Broussard asks Melissa Nix what she would do differently, were she to teach this lesson again. Melissa responds that she might have “given them more opportunities ahead of time to see what happens when you multiply two variables together,” but also expresses a pedagogical concern with not wanting to give them too much information, which might ultimately be disempowering.
They both agree that giving the students the opportunity to take the ideas home with them and sleep on them will enhance students’ sense making, consonant with mathematician George Polya’s work [about teaching problem-solving skills].
Melissa wonders if the students might have made more use of the algebra tiles.
Teacher Commentary
Teacher Commentary
If I'm posing a problem that maybe is a little bit of a stretch for them, I will let them practice it first on their own, and then talk to their partner, and then collectively come up with something else — before I call for some sort of accountability, so that they at least have something to work with. I don’t want an “I got you” moment.
I'm not trying to get my kids to feel like they're always on the spot. They're still held accountable, though. I want them to be attentive, and to pay attention, and to try to figure something out, and to ask their partner.