Inquiry Math

The Power of Visual Representations: Enhancing Mathematical Comprehension for Diverse Learners

samiahenaine

Mathematics is often perceived as abstract and complex, causing many students to struggle. Research indicates that a significant number of students experiences difficulties understanding mathematical ideas presented solely through symbolic notation. Visual representations bridge this gap, making abstract concepts more accessible and meaningful. Visual representations, including diagrams, models, and digital simulations, play a crucial role […]

Beyond the Basics: Exploring Key Elements of Mathematical Provocations (Part 2)

samiahenaine

In my previous article, I explored the power of mathematical provocations—open-ended challenges designed to spark curiosity and deeper learning—focusing on key elements like Cognitive Disequilibrium and Low-Floor, High-Ceiling tasks. This article builds on that foundation, highlighting three additional elements essential for effective mathematical provocations. Connecting to Big Ideas What if students saw mathematics as more […]

Let’s Plan our Birthday Party!

samiahenaine

Believing that the planner is a living illustration of an ongoing collaboration to facilitate transdisciplinary thinking and learning (Learning and Teaching, IB), this post aims to share a Grade 5 Math planner about teaching different types of numbers. The template used is the one already shared on my blog “How to develop a math planner […]

What’s Happening on the Stairs?

samiahenaine

A thorough understanding of basic number facts and arithmetical operations, as well as a solid knowledge of number properties and number relationships, is an essential prerequisite element to develop mental computation skills. Indeed, mental computation needs to be viewed as a sequence that starts from the kindergarten and develops over the years, and as a […]

Exponents, Just the Beginning

samiahenaine

The exponent of a number shows how many times to multiply it; It is repeated multiplication. In Grade 5, students are introduced to exponents while writing big numbers in expanded form. At this level, they are required to use whole number exponents to denote powers of 10, use the new terminology (base, power, squared, and […]