Developing Mathematical Thinking in Elementary School Analytical Essay by scribbler
Developing Mathematical Thinking in Elementary School
A review of a mathematics assessment tool that is designed to guide teachers in understanding their students' thinking processes.
# 153351
| 1,816 words
| 6 sources
| APA
| 2013
| 
Published
on May 23, 2013
in
Education
(Teaching Methods)
, Education
(Elementary School)
, Mathematics
(General)
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Description:
The paper discusses the need for teachers to help students develop mathematical thinking in the early grades to build a better foundation for them to understand more complex ideas as they progress through school. The paper explains that when math becomes more process-oriented, there is a focus not just on the correct answer, but on the means by which the answer was obtained. The paper then presents an assessment tool to explore children's algorithms for adding and subtracting two-digit numbers, that is designed to encompass the three types of evaluation; learner evaluations, formative evaluations and summative evaluations. The paper describes the target audience and the test and includes a table that presents the grading rubric for each math problem on the assessment as well as a table that provides examples on grading rubric assessment. The paper demonstrates how tools used in mathematical thinking should evaluate students' process skills and not merely whether an answer is correct.
Outline:
Introduction
Types of Assessments
Developing an Assessment Tool
Target Audience
The Assessment
Using the Assessment Tool to Improve Instruction and Learning
Conclusion
Outline:
Introduction
Types of Assessments
Developing an Assessment Tool
Target Audience
The Assessment
Using the Assessment Tool to Improve Instruction and Learning
Conclusion
From the Paper:
"Mathematics education in elementary school has evolved from the days when rote learning drove instruction and children who struggled with math were characterized as "not made of the right stuff" (Schifter, Bastable, Russell, Cohen, Lester & Yaffee, 1999, p. 1). The focus of Developing Mathematical Ideas (DMI), a professional development curriculum for current and prospective teachers, is designed to guide teachers in understanding their students' thinking. Teachers may have themselves learned by rote and therefore have a difficult time articulating their own thinking. By building their own understanding of key mathematical ideas, they gain insight into the ways children think. Math becomes more process-oriented, with focus not just on the correct answer, but with the means by which the answer was obtained. There can be only one right answer to a math problem, but there may be several ways to reach it."Developing mathematical thinking in the early grades helps build a better foundation for students to understand even more complex ideas as they progress through school. There is a clear advantage to this approach to mathematics instruction, although it may be more difficult to teachers to develop assessment tools. Grading answers as "right" or "wrong" is easy, but does little to provide either teacher or student with enough constructive feedback for changes to be made."
Sample of Sources Used:
- Berk, D., & Hiebert,, J. (2009). Improving the mathematics preparation of elementary teachers,one lesson at a time. Teachers and Teaching: Theory and Practice 15 (3), 337-356.
- Fluckiger, J., Vigil, Y. T., Pasco, R., & Danielson, K. (2001). Formative feedback: Involving students as partners in assessment to enhance learning. College Teaching 58 (4), 136-140.doi: 10.1080/87567555.2010.484031
- Hook, W., Bishop, W., & Hook, J. (2007). A quality math curriculum in support of effective teaching for elementary schools. Educational Studies in Mathematics 65 (2), 125-148.
- Kinda, S. (2010). Assessment of subtraction scene understanding using a story-generation task.Educational Psychology 30 (4), 449-464.
- Kostos, K., & Shin, E. K. (2010). Using math journals to enhance second graders' communication of mathematical thinking. Early Childhood Education Journal 38 (3), 228-231.
Cite this Analytical Essay:
APA Format
Developing Mathematical Thinking in Elementary School (2013, May 23)
Retrieved March 31, 2023, from https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/developing-mathematical-thinking-in-elementary-school-153351/
MLA Format
"Developing Mathematical Thinking in Elementary School" 23 May 2013.
Web. 31 March. 2023. <https://www.academon.com/analytical-essay/developing-mathematical-thinking-in-elementary-school-153351/>