Using Tools to Help Students Conceptualize Mathematics

This year Sagonaska 5/6 students have been working hard to communicate their knowledge and thinking about Math.  We have explicitly taught students how to use math tools (manipulatives) to help them represent  math concepts.

We start by explicitly teaching students how to use math tools to represent their thinking. Students were then challenged to create short math videos that highlight their understanding of the concept and exactly how they applied their knowledge and thinking.  We used technology (Google Classroom and Google Docs) to deliver the problem to the students.  Using these technologies, students were able to independently read and understand the task.

Once students know the task, they had a chance to use their personal mobile devices to create videos of themselves working through a problem.  Check out Landon and Gerrit explaining their thinking, knowledge and strategy application.

When students combine their knowledge, thinking and application of strategies with math tools and technology, great things happen.  Using a combination of tools and technology allows students to take some think time to explicitly plan their responses to math problems.  

This practice allows students to become better communicators, more reflective learners and more engaged in their learning. Students communicate their ideas very clearly while creating videos.  They realize after watching their final product, what they may be missing and go back and add it in to make their explanation more clear. By taking part in this process, students are more engaged as they view themselves as learners who are capable of producing great work.