Resources, Ideas, Inspiration
Making Math Visual and Hands-On
Learn how to make math visual to enhance and deepen student understanding (hint: it’s about more than drawing pictures!) Plus, learn the science behind why this matters and ways to make the math topics you teach and explore more visual for your students.
Why Does Math Need to Be Visual?
Recent brain research has been able to show us what activity goes on in the brain when we solve a math problem. The results are amazing! 5 different processors “light up” with activity and talk to each other when we work on math and play with numbers.
Of those 5, 2 are visual processors.
That means we need to provide visuals to aid our brain in making sense of the problem, connecting it to other parts of the brain, and to move it from our short-term memory to our long-term memory!
So even for those kids (and adults) who don’t consider themselves to be “visual learners,” we now know that’s just not true. Everyone needs visual tools to understand math deeply. Some might just have stronger visual processors than others.
Those who think they’re not “visual learners” need visual models and tools even more to strengthen those weaker parts of the brain.
More Great Ideas to Use This Year
BuzzMath
When you are looking for a site that goes beyond questions and answers, look no further. BuzzMath uses visuals and online manipulatives as a way for students to understand how to solve problems correctly.
Spiral Review
Spiral review is the idea that, after introducing and teaching a foundational concept or skill, students continue to practice it regularly throughout the school year in order to maintain what they have learned. Find days of the week or times of the day to incorporate a spiral review to allow students to remember vital topics.
Number Stories with Questions
Aimed at ages 3-10, this is the best way to incorporate reading with math. The purpose of this site is to make learning about math as routine as a bedtime story. It begins with a short, fun set-up story, followed by three math problems at three levels of challenge.
Number Talks
What is a Number Talk?
A number talk is a short discussion of a math computation problem. Students take turns sharing their solution to the problem and what strategy they used to get that solution.
Their work is done mentally, however, without paper, a pencil, or a calculator.
Number talks can be used to explore any operation-addition, subtraction, multiplication or division-and can involve whole numbers, decimals, or fractions.
How Number Talks Deepen Understanding
So why is a simple 10-minute conversation such a powerful tool in the math classroom? Here are a few reasons these can benefit students:
Without paper and pencil, students are forced to think of other ways of solving problems. This might involve decomposing numbers, using place value, etc. This will deepen their number sense as they become more fluent and flexible with numbers and operations
They provide all students the opportunity to participate at their own ability level. Advanced students will come up with advanced or multiple strategies while struggling learners can begin with less efficient, but still effective strategies.
They help kids to understand operations conceptually without relying on gimmicks, memorization, or formal algorithm.
K-8 Resources for December
