Unlocking Mathematical

Thinking

Julie MitchellBrighton Primary School

Project Zero• Project Zero, a research group at the

Harvard Graduate School of Education, has investigated the development of learning processes in children, adults, and organizations since 1967.

• Project Zero's mission is to understand and enhance learning, thinking, and creativity in the arts, as well as humanistic and scientific disciplines, at the individual and institutional levels.

Principal Investigators:

• David Perkins• Ron Ritchhart• Howard Gardner• Shari Tishman• Mark Church

Why a Culture of Why a Culture of Thinking?Thinking?Our Goals as educators:• We want students to retain knowledge• We want students to understand

knowledge• We want students to use knowledge

Why a Culture of Why a Culture of Thinking?Thinking?

“Learning is a consequence of thinking. Retention, understanding, and the active use of knowledge can be brought about only by learning experiences in which learners think about and think with what they are learning.” (Perkins, 1992)

What is a routine?

• Thinking routines are easy to use, mini strategies that are repeatedly used in the classroom. They are a small set of questions or a short sequence of steps that can be used across various grade levels and content.

• Routines help direct student thinking and structure classroom discussions.

So Where Do We Start?•Grouping (NAPLAN, PAT etc.)•I need to know more!•Let’s start with attitude…..

• If Maths Was a Fruit…

If Maths was a Vegetable….

•C.S.I.• Colour, Symbol, Image

Think, Puzzle, Explore!

• This routine helps students connect to prior knowledge, stimulates curiosity and lays the groundwork for independent inquiry. It is useful when you are beginning a topic and when you want students to develop their own questions of investigation.

Think, Puzzle, Explore

• What do you think you know about this?

• What puzzles you about this?• What would you like to explore to

further?

The Mogstars talk fractions!

Chalk Talk

• http://www.ronritchhart.com/Welcome.html• Julie.mitchell@education.tas.gov.au

Overview

• By establishing a culture of thinking within our classrooms we are supporting and challenging students to be successful.

• We are creating safe conditions for active participation and rigorous learning.

• Creating a culture of thinking helps create a stimulating, vibrant and exciting teaching and learning environment.