Unlocking Mathematical Thinking

Julie MitchellBrighton Primary School

Project Zero

• Project Zero, a research group at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, has investigated the development of learning processes in children, adults, and organizations since 1967.

• Project Zero's mission is to understand and enhance learning, thinking, and creativity in the arts, as well as humanistic and scientific disciplines, at the individual and institutional levels.

Principal Investigators:

• David Perkins

• Ron Ritchhart

• Howard Gardner

• Shari Tishman

• Mark Church

Why a Culture of Thinking?Why a Culture of Thinking?

• “Learning is a consequence of thinking. Retention, understanding, and the active use of knowledge can be brought about only by learning experiences in which learners think about and think with what they are learning.” (Perkins, 1992)

So Where Do We Start?• Grouping (NAPLAN, PAT etc.)

• I need to know more!

• Let’s start with attitude…..

• http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150619-do-you-have-maths-anxiety

• They have found that although maths presents no real danger, it has a very real, physical response, including the release of stress hormones like cortisol, which are characteristic of the fight or flight response. One study even found that anticipating a maths test activates the brain’s “pain matrix” – the regions that might light up

if you had injured yourself.

What is a routine?• Thinking routines are easy to use, mini

strategies that are repeatedly used in the classroom. They are a small set of questions or a short sequence of steps that can be used across various grade levels and content.

• Routines help direct student thinking and structure classroom discussions.

Where Do I find Them?

• http://www.visiblethinkingpz.org/VisibleThinking_html_files/03_ThinkingRoutines/03b_Introduction.html

• http://www.ronritchhart.com/Welcome.html

Think, Puzzle, Explore!

• This routine helps students connect to prior knowledge, stimulates curiosity and lays the groundwork for independent inquiry. It is useful when you are beginning a topic and when you want students to develop their own questions of investigation.

Think…

• What do you think you know about the concept of Time?

Puzzle…

• What puzzles you about the concept of Time?

Explore…

• What would you like to explore further about the concept of

Time?

Grade 5 - Time

Measurement in Grade 4

More!!

Chalk Talk

Overview• By establishing a culture of thinking within

our classrooms we are supporting and challenging students to be successful.

• We are creating safe conditions for active participation and rigorous learning.

• Creating a culture of thinking helps create a stimulating, vibrant and exciting teaching and learning environment.

• Please look after your bananas

• julie.mitchell@education.tas.gov.au

• https://www.facebook.com/groups/197524593627729/