Student-Centered Math

Topics:

• Student-Centered Math in a Flexible Learning Environment

• Fundamentals of Student-Centered Math

• Mathematical Discourse

• Scaffolding, Differentiating, and Choice

• Using Representations and Reasoning

• Math Language Routines

• Humanizing Mathematics

• The 5 Practices with Desmos

• Just-in-Time Math Supports

• Tech Tools for Math

Overview:

In a student-centered mathematics classroom, students connect mathematics to real-world concepts, explore multiple strategies and representations, use their own mathematical reasoning to show and explain the "why" as well as the "how," grow their understanding by clearly communicating their mathematical thinking, and persevere in problem-solving. Student-centered mathematics instruction engages all students through creativity, exploration, and collaboration. In a student-centered math classroom, teachers do more than show, tell, and correct. Student-centered teachers focus on planning strategically by rooting new concepts in prior knowledge; anticipating common errors and misconceptions to plan probing questions; using visual and concrete representations to support sense-making; carefully selecting purposeful tasks; and choosing instructional routines that support the mathematical agency and proficiency of all students.

What We Believe:

We believe that student-centered math instruction can transform instruction and can increase student proficiency. We believe that teachers need to be equipped with strategies and tools to create a student-centered math classroom that fosters student ownership, supports students to become confident math thinkers, and increases student engagement by connecting math to students' interests and identities. 

We believe that teachers need to be supported to plan strategically by carefully selecting mathematical learning experiences, supporting sense-making using mathematical representations and student discourse, and anticipating and monitoring student learning.

We believe that students should have opportunities to develop their mathematical ideas and language by exploring conceptual understandings rooted in prior knowledge first, and then developing procedural fluency over time. 

We believe that teachers need to be equipped with strategies and routines to promote mathematical discourse in the classroom in order to support students to share ideas, clarify understandings, and learn to see things from other perspectives.

BetterLesson Blog Posts:

• Bankston, Krystal. Let's Talk About Math: 5 Tips For Facilitating Productive Student Discourse in Math Classrooms. November 13, 2018

• Lara, Juan. How Coaching Helped Me Make My Math and Science Classes More Student-Centered. December 12, 2018.

External Sources:

• Wheeler, Laura. The Student-Centered Math Class. Edutopia. April 21, 2017.

• Walters, Kirk et al. An Up-Close Look at Student-Centered Math Teaching. American Institutes for Research. November 2014.

• Mead, Megan. Building Student-Centered High School Math Classrooms. Getting Smart. November 18, 2014.