Teaching Math Conceptually

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Teaching Math Conceptually

• By Kristen DePaola

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Mathematical Thinking

• How do we conceive Mathematics?
• How do we learn, use and create?
• How do we think?

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Process of Mathematical Thinking

• To perceive something
• To act on it
• To reflect on the action and develop theories

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Why is Math Important?

• Life Skills
• Money Management
• Teaches a certain mindset
• Problem Solving Skills

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I Want My Students to Learn

• Restrictions
• Curriculum
• MCAS
• Real Life Applications
• Hands on experiences
• Dynamic Use of Software

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How can we teach this?

• Building a strong foundation
• Theory Based Lessons
• Practical examples

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Will this work?

• Japanese Classrooms
• Personal Experiences

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References

• Symbols and the Bifurcation between Procedural
  and Conceptual Thinking, David Tall, University
  of Warwick
• Virtual Manipulatives in Mathematics Education A
  Theoretical Framework, Soner Durmus, Erol
  Karakirik, Abant Izzet Baysal University
• Conceptual Thinking, www.wikipedia.org
• Concept-Rich Mathematics Instruction Building a
  Strong Foundation for Reasoning and Problem
  Solving, Meir Ben-Hur, http//www.ascd.org
• Big Cities Credit Conceptual Math for Higher
  Scores, Sean Cavanagh, Education Week, v25 n18
  p1, 14-15 Jan 2006