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Math Strategies and Practices
Math Strategies and Practices
There are many different strategies and practices which can be helpful for teaching, learning, and doing math.
For strategies that involve manipulatives, see Math Tools.
Math Talk
Math Talk
Talking about math has many benefits! When students have the opportunity to discuss math with others, it helps them verbalize what they know, see multiple strategies, build academic vocabulary, strengthen relationships, deepen learning, and enhance problem solving skills. It also helps make math collaborative and can reduce math anxiety.
See the Math Talk, Games, & Hands-On Play page for resource ideas that can help you and your child have fun talking about math.
Also, here are some suggestions for more in-depth information about math talk:
Intentional Talk: How to Structure and Lead Productive Mathematical Discussions by Elham Kazemi and Allison Hintz
Making Number Talks Matter: Developing Mathematical Practices and Deepening Understanding by Cathy Humphreys and Ruth Parker
More Resources for Math Talks - Webpage from the San Francisco Unified School District Mathematics Department
"How to Learn Math for Teachers and Parents: Number Talks" from Stanford Online, presented by YouCubed's Jo Boaler. The YouTube video is embedded below.
Movement
Movement
Help kids engage with math by involving their whole body, and you can turn math into an active-learning game! The following book was written for classroom teachers, but the description can help you understand more about this strategy:
Math on the Move: Engaging Students in Whole Body Learning by Malke Rosenfeld
Stories and Literature
Stories and Literature
Stories and literature can be a fun way for students to make math connections and see real-life examples of math. Find resources on the Math Literature page.
Visual Math
Visual Math
Take advantage of the visual element of math:
Visual Math Improves Math Performance, a YouCubed article from the Standford Graduate School of Education.
Seeing as Understanding: The Importance of Visual Mathematics for our Brain and Learning by Jo Boaler and others.
Games
Games
Math does not have to be boring. Games are a great way to practice math and boost skills!
For board games and activities that don't involve electronics, see the Math Talk, Games & Hands-On Play page.
For digital games, see the Individual Math Apps & Online Activities page.
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset
Have a growth mindset about math! Researcher Carol Dweck found that people who believe in their ability to improve, in other words, those with a "growth mindset," are more motivated and see better results in what they do compared to those who have a "fixed mindset," and believe that their abilities are limited.
Carol Dweck Revisits the 'Growth Mindset', an EdWeek article.
Don't forget to keep a positive attitude about your own math ability, too, because that can also make a difference in your child's achievement!
"Parents’ Beliefs about Math Change Their Children’s Achievement," a YouCubed article with excerpts from Jo Boaler's book, Mathematical Mindsets: Unleashing Students’ Potential Through Creative Math, Inspiring Messages and Innovative Teaching.
Video
"How to Learn Math for Students" [Boosting Messages clip]. The YouTube video is embedded below.
Concrete, Representational, (or Pictorial), Abstract Approach
Concrete, Representational, (or Pictorial), Abstract Approach
This approach helps students to learn math concepts and solve problems in a gradual, three-step process:
using concrete objects
using pictures of objects
using numbers
The concrete representational/pictorial, abstract approach is used in many elementary math programs, such as the ones based on Singapore math standards like Primary Mathematics, Math in Focus, and Dimensions Math, as well as programs aligned to many United States standards, like Eureka Math/EngageNY and Zearn.
Video
What is the Concrete Pictorial Abstract (CPA) Approach | Maths — No Problem! The YouTube video is embedded below.
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