Manipulatives, assessment, mathematical language and retrieval success....
Jul 15, 2023
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Education expert Christopher Such joins the podcast to discuss topics such as the selection and use of manipulatives in KS3, the importance of continuity in mathematics education, capturing students' strengths and weaknesses with heat maps, retrieval practice in math lessons, and the use of language in math instruction.
The recommended manipulatives for Key Stage 3 Maths include algebra tiles and double-sided counters, which are versatile and useful for various concepts such as negative numbers and algebra.
Ideal practice in secondary mathematics involves identifying students who need additional support and providing corrective instruction, utilizing manipulatives as visual aids and formative assessments to support learning.
Deep dives
Recommended Manipulatives for Key Stage 3 Maths
The recommended manipulatives for Key Stage 3 Maths are algebra tiles and double-sided counters. These manipulatives have been found to be incredibly versatile and useful for various concepts such as negative numbers and algebra. While there are other manipulatives that can be employed, starting with one or two and mastering their use can be a good starting point. Additionally, having class sets of place value blocks, particularly base 10 blocks, can be beneficial for consolidating concepts related to place value and arithmetic.
Ideal Practice in Secondary Mathematics
Ideal practice in secondary mathematics involves recognizing that many students entering Key Stage 3 may not have strong foundations in mathematics. It becomes crucial to identify which students need additional support and provide corrective instruction. Manipulatives can be used as visual aids to show concepts and support learning. Teachers can also utilize digital equivalents or physical manipulatives under a visualizer to model concepts. While ideal practice in secondary mathematics is a broad topic, focusing on formative assessments, identifying student needs, and providing targeted instruction can greatly benefit student learning.
Assessment System for Learning Support
In an assessment system purely for supporting learning, assessments should be used to understand what students know and don't know, helping to inform teaching strategies and interventions. Instead of relying solely on summative snapshots, formative assessments that focus on continuous improvement and progress are essential. Regular checks and monitoring of essential skills like phonics and times tables can help identify areas that need further attention. In addition, using heat maps or visual representations of data can provide a clear overview of students' strengths and weaknesses, allowing teachers to tailor instruction more efficiently.
Colloquial Language in Mathematics
The use of colloquial language in mathematics depends on the students' understanding and context. When students have a strong grasp of the concepts being discussed, using colloquial expressions like 'three and four make seven' can be acceptable. However, when students lack a solid foundation, it's important to prioritize precision and teach them the correct terminology to describe mathematical concepts accurately. Consistency in language across the school can help students become proficient in mathematical vocabulary. There should be a balance between providing exposure to different ways of describing mathematical concepts and ensuring clarity in communication for effective understanding.
Episode 133: This week on Thinking Deeply about Primary Education, I'm joined by Christopher Such as we field some more unseen questions about a range of topics from the selection and use of manipulatives in KS3 and mathematical language to retrieval practice success and the ideal primary assessment scenario.
Whether you're new to the profession or an experienced senior leader, you won't want to miss this one!
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