By Grade Level

So, I decided to try my hand at rewriting the Standards for Mathematical Practice into student-friendly language.

Here’s the fourth installment…

Math Tip # 4: Look Beneath the Surface.

• Notice the math behind everyday life.
• Examine a complex situation. Ignore the parts that aren’t relevant.
• Pay attention to the big picture, but don’t lose track of the details.
• Make assumptions that simplify the problem.
• Express the essential truth using numbers, shapes, or equations.
• Test how well your model reflects the real world.
• Draw conclusions. Explain how your solution relates to the original situation.

Continue reading Look Beneath the Surface

You may remember, I decided to try my hand at rewriting the Standards for Mathematical Practice into student-friendly language.

My kids loved to argue. Do yours?

Math Tip # 3: Know How to Argue.

• Argue respectfully.
• Analyze situations.
• Recognize your own assumptions.
• Be careful with definitions.
• Make a guess, then test to see if it’s true.
• Explain your thoughts. Give evidence for your conclusions.
• Listen to other people. Ask questions to understand their point of view.
• Celebrate when someone points out your mistakes. That’s when you learn!

Continue reading Know How to Argue

As I mentioned last Saturday, I decided to try my hand at rewriting the Standards for Mathematical Practice into student-friendly language.

Here’s the second installment…

Math Tip # 2: Don’t Panic.

• Don’t let abstraction scare you.
• Don’t freeze up when you see complex numbers or symbols.
• Break them down into simpler parts.
• Take each problem one step at a time.
• Know the meaning of the math, how it relates to the “real world.”
• But if it gets in your way, ignore the “real world” situation. Revel in the abstract fantasy.

Continue reading Don’t Panic

Have you read the Standards for Mathematical Practice? Good idea in theory, but horribly dull and stilted. Like math standards in general, the SMPs sound as if they were written by committee. (Duh!)

I’ve seen several attempts to rewrite the SMPs into student-friendly language. Many of those seem too over-simplified, almost babyish.

Probably I’m just too critical.

Anyway, I decided to try my hand at the project. Here’s the first installment…

Math Tip # 1: Never Give Up.

• Fight to make sense of a problem.
• Think about the things you know.
• Ponder what a solution might look like.
• Compare this problem to those you solved in the past.
• If it seems too hard, make up a simpler version. Can you solve that one?
• If one approach doesn’t work, try something else.
• When you get an answer, ask yourself, “Does it truly makes sense?”

Download the poster, if you like:

• Letter-size
• A4 paper

What do you think? Would this resonate with your students?

What changes do you suggest?

You can find the whole SMP series (eventually) under the tag: Posters.

Update: I Made a Thing

I had so much fun making these posters that I decided to put them into a printable activity guide. It includes the full-color poster shown above and a text-only version, with both also in black-and-white if you need to conserve printer ink.

Here’s the product description…

Join the Math Rebellion: Creative Problem-Solving Tips for Adventurous Students

Take your stand against boring, routine homework.

Fight for truth, justice, and the unexpected answer.

Join the Math Rebellion will show you how to turn any math worksheet into a celebration of intellectual freedom and creative problem-solving.

This 42-page printable activity guide features a series of Math Tips Posters (in color or ink-saving black-and-white) that transform the Standards for Mathematical Practice to resonate with upper-elementary and older students.

Available with 8 1/2 x 11 (letter size) or A4 pages.

Check It Out