Everywhere I look, I seem to be told different instructional strategies for teaching mathematics. From small groups to math exit tickets and how to start math stations, there are so many different teaching strategies for mathematics! So what are the best strategies for teaching math? Let’s cut through the chatter and get to it!
This is actually blog post number 2 about different instructional strategies for teaching mathematics. If you want to check out where I share 5 teaching strategies for mathematics then be sure to check out the post here.
Instructional Strategies for Teaching Mathematics
Since there are so many different instructional strategies for teaching mathematics, let’s cut through the clutter! I love research-based things and I’m not just saying that! As an enneagram 5, I’m literally called The Investigator, so research is my middle name!
I recently went to a math training and the presenters shared some new research out of Stanford University Graduate School of Education. They created a list of instructional strategies for math that can be used for any grade or math topic.
These teaching strategies for mathematics include:
- MLR1: Stronger and Clearer Each Time
- MLR2: Collect and Display
- MLR3: Critique, Correct, and Clarify
- MLR4: Information Gap
- MLR5: Co-Craft Questions and Problems
- MLR6: Three Reads
- MLR7: Compare and Connect
- MLR8: Discussion Supports
In my previous blog post, I dove into the first 5 instructional strategies for teaching mathematics. I’m tackling the last 3 Principles for the Design of Mathematics Curricula. These strategies are a bit more reading-heavy but are perfect for helping students learn how to solve math word problems. If you want to learn more about solving math word problems, I have a blog post here that shows how I tackle the dreaded word problem.
Strategies for Teaching Math Word Problems
Three Reads
This first strategy is very similar to close reading strategies. The idea behind this teaching idea is simple but effective. Students read the problem 3 times, each time reading for a different purpose.
Three Reads are one of my favorite strategies for teaching math word problems. It really helps students understand what is happening in the word problem, what they know from the problem, and what they are trying to figure out.
Each time a student reads through a math word problem, there is a different purpose:
- Read to know what is going on. I usually read it aloud and then have a student restate the situation without numbers.
- Read to know what information they have and what they still need to know.
- Read to determine how to get the missing information (the answer).
Using an acronym like CUBES might help students follow the Three Reads strategy. The more that students are able to internalize this strategy, the more successful they will be at solving math problems.
Compare & Connect
This is another of those instructional strategies for teaching mathematics that can help with solving math word problems. I like to use this one to help foster the Common Core Mathematics Practice of Critique and Debate.
Students solve a problem using a strategy and then share papers with a different student. Their task is then to compare and find similarities in each other’s work. They also should be looking for ways that their strategies are connected.
This is a great strategy to use when there are multiple ways to solve. For example in 3rd grade addition, some students might be using a number line to add and some might be using an algorithm, and still, others might be using base ten blocks. Each of these strategies shows the same numbers and operation but in different places. Compare and Connect as an instruction strategy would help students see the similarities between models and representations.
I typically use this strategy with another one from the list of instructional strategies for math, Collect, and Display. I can display the different ways of solving on a math poster to use as a reference later in the lesson or unit.
Nobody said you have to use just 1 strategy per lesson!
Discussion Supports
The last of the 8 instructional strategies for teaching mathematics is one that I could argue should be used in every lesson and subject. Providing students with discussion support helps create deeper conversations and more connected discussions.
I try to model different sentence stems throughout a discussion or explanation. Having students repeat back or restate another student’s response is a great way to add more voices to the room.
This strategy is helpful to language learners but any student can benefit from using sentence frames and language prompts. Some of the teachers at my school have table tents with common discussion supports while others have them on posters around the room. I like to include mine on teaching slides to help students with a specific response.
More instructional strategies for teaching mathematics
Are you looking for more instructional strategies for teaching mathematics? These blog posts and videos dive into so many different teaching strategies for mathematics. Be sure to check them out and get your creative juice flowing!
- My blog post
- Principles for the Design of Mathematics Curricula: Promoting Language and Content Development
- Tips for Teaching Elementary Math as Effectively as Possible
- 6 Unproductive Ways to Learn Math Basics- and What To Do Instead
- Mathematics Instruction & Math Teaching Strategies
- 10 Creative Ways to Teach Mathematics
- The Best Way to Teach Math
Drop a comment below, I’d love to know your favorite instructional strategies for teaching mathematics!
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