This week’s recommendation comes from:
Kristin Klingensmith
IFL Mathematics Fellow
Kristin says, “I recently came across this article originally published in 2021 about using pictures to spark math conversations. Even though it’s been two years since it was published, it still offers great how’s and why’s of using pictures combined with a little curiosity to engage students in mathematically interesting and accessible conversations. The article provides ideas for pictures that illustrate a range of mathematical concepts and links to resources where you can access pictures for use in your classroom, even if it might not be until next year! As I read the article, I saw immediate connections to two of the mathematical practices. When engaging in the conversations described in the article, students are likely to make use of mathematical practice #2, Reason abstractly and quantitatively, and #7, Look for and make use of structure. Through this conversation, teachers have the opportunity to elicit student thinking and prompt students to make connections between and among representations.”
How to Spark Engagement in K-8 Math With Picture
Kristen Acosta
“We can show students that math isn’t about just algorithms and shortcuts—it’s about seeing patterns and applying what we know to what is seen.” – Kristen Acosta, math educator
Using pictures is a good way to help students make sense of math problems. Read on to learn some strategies and examples for various grade levels and different mathematical concepts.