Teaching Techniques to Build Critical Thinking

Development Into a Mathematics Curriculum

By Wendy CulverGrand Canyon University

UNV-588 Curriculum and Instruction CapstoneDr. Darrell Rice, Instructor

October 26, 2016

IcebreakerAre you a rock or a feather?

1. Think about what these descriptions mean to you.

2. Group discussion: What are the positive and negative qualities of each type?

What has led to our decision to investigate improving critical

thinking in mathematics?School Performance Data: The School Accountability Report Card for last year shows that only 20% of third graders achieved proficient or advanced on the CAASPP.http://www.lusd.org/Page/6179Classroom Observations: As a team, we have observed our current students struggling to retain, master, and demonstrate independence with mathematics concepts.

Essential Question #1: Why do our students struggle with critical,

independent thinking?

O https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GZ6GGlfIog

Discussion: Have we seen this to be true in our classrooms? Do we want to get out of this “contract” with our students?

The Didactic Contract

Do you see the “didactic contract” prescribed in the textbook?

Do these cues make independent thinking more or less possible for students?

Essential Question #2: What teaching methods help our students become

independent, critical thinkers?Activating Prior KnowledgeShare a video Incorporate

Movement

Give students the opportunity

to build something

Establish a “math congress”

Create a Shared

Experience

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggTl6Uy8PSU

Essential Question #2: What teaching methods help our students become

independent, critical thinkers?

O https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QYRCY-44Kw

Discussion: What roadblocks do we encounter to providing our students with open tasks?

Open Tasks

What problem on this page could be turned into an open task?

Page 162

Essential Question: What teaching methods help our students become

independent, critical thinkers?

O https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWUFjb8w9Ps

Discussion: Is it possible to teach more by providing less support to students?

Slim Down the Text

Where should our lessons begin?

Is there a way to slim down this question so that students have to do more critical

thinking?

Essential Question: What professional development can support teachers in

addressing a major change in instructional practice?

O https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDVH0u4tUWo

Discussion: What steps have we addressed? What steps are we agreeing to undertake?

Action Research

Key Steps to Action Research

Identify--Create a concise, clear question.--Collect data: 3 sources: qualitative and quantitative.--Evaluate the question and previous research on the topic.

Plan--What information is needed? --What type of research is required?--What tools will be used?--Construct a timeline for completing research.--Anticipate problems and be proactive.

Interpret--What is needed for improving?--Compare and discuss data.--Make a plan for implementation.

Next Steps1. Review the “Research in Action Observation

Report” and determine whether you have any questions about tomorrow’s activity.

2. Collect observation data during the demonstration and note questions for further discussion.

3. Be prepared to debrief the observation and make collaborative decisions regarding our collective implementation plans.

Evaluating Your Experience

Please visit the following site to share your rating of today’s professional development session:https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BN3N5PR