60 Ways to Build Mathematical Practices, Differentiate Instruction, and Increase Student Engagement

As educators, we are constantly striving to find ways to make learning more engaging and meaningful for our students. In mathematics, this means helping students to develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and to be able to apply them to real-world situations. One way to do this is to focus on building mathematical practices, which are the habits of mind that mathematicians use to solve problems and make sense of the world around them.

Math Tools, Grades 3–12: 60+ Ways to Build Mathematical Practices, Differentiate Instruction, and Increase Student Engagement

by Harvey F. Silver

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6658 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

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The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) has identified eight mathematical practices:

1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4. Model with mathematics.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
6. Attend to precision.
7. Look for and make use of structure.
8. Express regularity in repeated reasoning.

By incorporating these practices into our instruction, we can help students to develop the skills they need to be successful in mathematics and beyond. In this article, we will provide 60 specific ways that you can build mathematical practices, differentiate instruction, and increase student engagement in your classroom.

1. Use concrete manipulatives

Concrete manipulatives are physical objects that students can use to represent mathematical concepts. They can help students to understand abstract concepts in a more concrete way, and they can also be used to differentiate instruction for students with different learning styles.

2. Encourage students to talk about their thinking

When students talk about their thinking, they are able to process their thoughts and make sense of what they are learning. Encourage students to share their ideas with the class, and ask them questions to help them deepen their understanding.

3. Incorporate problem-solving into your lessons

Problem-solving is one of the most important mathematical practices. By incorporating problem-solving into your lessons, you can help students to develop the skills they need to solve problems independently.

4. Use real-world examples

Real-world examples can help students to see the relevance of mathematics to their lives. When you use real-world examples, make sure to connect the mathematics to the real-world context.

5. Make learning hands-on

Hands-on activities can help students to learn mathematics in a more engaging and meaningful way. There are many different ways to make learning hands-on, such as using manipulatives, ng experiments, or playing games.

6. Provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively

Collaborative learning can help students to learn from each other and to develop their social skills. There are many different ways to incorporate collaborative learning into your lessons, such as group projects, peer tutoring, and class discussions.

7. Use technology

Technology can be a powerful tool for teaching mathematics. There are many different software programs and websites that can help students to learn mathematics in a more engaging and interactive way.

8. Differentiate instruction

Differentiation is the process of tailoring instruction to meet the needs of individual students. There are many different ways to differentiate instruction, such as by providing different levels of scaffolding, using different teaching methods, or offering different assignments.

9. Provide feedback

Feedback is essential for helping students to learn. Make sure to provide students with regular feedback on their work, both positive and negative. Feedback should be specific and actionable, so that students know what they need to do to improve.

10. Build a positive classroom culture

A positive classroom culture is one in which students feel safe, respected, and supported. When students feel good about themselves and their learning environment, they are more likely to be successful in mathematics.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can build mathematical practices, differentiate instruction, and increase student engagement in your classroom. By implementing these strategies, you can help students to develop the skills they need to be successful in mathematics and beyond.

In addition to the specific strategies listed above, it is also important to keep in mind the following:

• Be patient and persistent. It takes time and effort to build mathematical practices and to differentiate instruction.
• Be flexible. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching mathematics. Be willing to adjust your strategies to meet the needs of your students.
• Collaborate with other teachers. Share ideas and resources with other teachers who are also working to build mathematical practices and to differentiate instruction.
• Seek professional development opportunities. There are many professional development opportunities available to help teachers learn about mathematical practices and differentiation. Take advantage of these opportunities to improve your teaching skills.

By following these tips, you can create a more engaging and effective mathematics learning environment for your students.

Math Tools, Grades 3–12: 60+ Ways to Build Mathematical Practices, Differentiate Instruction, and Increase Student Engagement

by Harvey F. Silver

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6658 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE