Having students develop the skill of ‘pulling apart’ numbers (deconstructing) and putting them back together again, as a mental strategy for solving problems is essential learning that underpins all mathematical thinking.
In this 15 minute talk by Jo Boaler from Stanford University, teachers and parents can learn how to use ‘Number Talks’ as a simple strategy to help students think about the flexibility with which most maths problems can be solved. In doing so, they begin to develop fluency in selecting appropriate strategies for solving problems in a variety of mathematical contexts.
This useful and insightful demonstration is from ‘youcubed’, a not-for-profit website, co-founded by Professor Jo Boaler, aimed at presenting teachers and parents with creative and innovative strategies for the teaching of mathematics.
https://www.youcubed.org/from-stanford-onlines-how-to-learn-math-for-teachers-and-parents-number-talks/
For more great talks and resources go to: www.youcubed.org
