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Incorporating Problem Solving, Critica l Thinking and Interdisciplinary Activities in Mathematics Class. May 17, 2011 District Curriculum In-Service Stephanie Schwab. Today’s Objective .
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Incorporating Problem Solving, Critical Thinking and Interdisciplinary Activities in Mathematics Class May 17, 2011 District Curriculum In-Service Stephanie Schwab
Today’s Objective • Teachers will create mathematics activities that incorporate problem solving, critical thinking and other disciplines.
What is problem solving and critical thinking? Being able to • Approach problems in a systematic manner • Solve problems in more than one way • Select appropriate solution strategies and implement them accurately
Activities Should • Fit the theme of the unit • Focus on math processes • Permit teacher to facilitate • Promote student interaction and discussion • Require documentation/defense of work • Bundle mathematical thinking, concepts and skills with another discipline when appropriate
Activities Should • Spark students’ curiosity • Encourage speculation and investigation • Not be structured like a recipe or walk students through unfamiliar territory step by step • Have more than one answer • Be completed by individuals or small groups • Require reflection & communication • Accommodate variety of learning styles • Focus on upper tiers of Bloom’s Taxonomy
What are mathematical processes? • Problem solving • Communication of mathematical ideas in meaningful classroom discourse • Making connections across topics and to contexts • Reasoning about and justifying solutions • Developing a positive disposition toward mathematics • Creating and sharing multiple representations of mathematical concepts and procedures
How/When do I implement activities? • Assign at the beginning of the unit to be completed by the end of the unit • Assign as a culminating project for the unit • Keep in a box in corner of room for students to complete when done with that day’s work • Use in place of lesson when student has demonstrated they have secured the concepts • However you deem appropriate
The Next Step • Websites for activities • http://illuminations.nctm.org/ • http://pdesas.org/ • http://www.mathwire.com/archives/enrichment.html • http://nrich.maths.org/public/ • Group Assistants