PERFORMANCE TASKS
Occasionally, assessments are given where few or no notes are provided. This would generally be the Performance Tasks that utilize the Standards for Mathematical Practice. Often these problems are done as groupwork in a manner similar to what might be found in the workplace. The National Council on Teaching Mathematics (www.NCTM.org) recommends that problem solving strategies be taught using a "discovery" approach. Much like a scientist who is unsure of the outcome, students attempting to solve these "discovery" problems are unsure about the best approach. Often there are several ways of solving the problems. As long as work is shown and is logical, at least partial credit will be given.
To understand the importance of the Mathematical Practices, information is needed from the California Common Core State Standards Mathematics (2013, p.3):
"The CA CCSSM include two types of standards: Eight Mathematical Practice Standards (identical for each grade level) and Mathematical Content Standards (different at each grade level). Together these standards address both 'habits of mind' that students should develop to foster mathematical understanding and expertise and skills and knowledge—what students need to know and be able to do. The mathematical content standards were built on progressions of topics across grade levels, informed by both research on children’s cognitive development and by the logical structure of mathematics."