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Paying attention to the mathematics
Posted:
Mar 14, 1999 10:27 AM
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I agree with Cindy about the changing role of the teacher to someone
who sets the stage, moderates the discussion, and asks the probing
questions. This is often harder than it sounds, because to ask
effective questions you really have to have thought about what the
important mathematical ideas are that you want students to focus on.
When I first started teaching Investigations I was so caught up in the
activities and what we were supposed to do next that I didn't pay
nearly as much attention to the underlying mathematics as I do now.
In asking the probing questions, it is the teacher's role to bring the
important mathematical ideas to the surface for everyone to examine.
So as students make their observations during discussion, the teacher
chooses which to emphasize and extend.
Nancy
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