The Power of Deep Thinking and Visuals
In the latest episode of Tier 1 Interventions, co-hosts Cheri Dotterer and Jonily Zupancic are revolutionizing math education by exploring groundbreaking approaches that challenge traditional teaching practices. This insightful discussion involves transforming how educators use visuals, questions, and coaching to foster deep mathematical thinking. Whether you’re a teacher, an occupational therapist, or someone passionate about educational reform, this episode is brimming with actionable insights.
The Problem: A Shallow Approach to Mathematics
Traditionally, math education has revolved around “stop thinking” questions—tasks like “Find X” or “Graph this inequality.” While these questions are foundational, they often halt deeper exploration of mathematical concepts. Students focus on memorization and rote problem-solving rather than understanding the “why” behind the math.
Jonily explains, “Stop thinking questions limit exploration; we need to push for deeper inquiry.” This is where “keep thinking” questions come into play, pushing students to make connections between math concepts and their real-world applications.
The Solution: Keep Thinking Questions
“Keep thinking” questions encourage students to explore the relationships between mathematical ideas, fostering a deeper understanding. For example, rather than asking students to identify an angle, a teacher might ask, “How do angles relate to circles?”
This shift transforms the classroom experience. As Jonily elaborates, “A circle is defined as a collection of angles. This changes how we teach geometry, giving students a new perspective on shapes and their interconnections.”
By rethinking their questioning methods, teachers empower students to engage critically and creatively with math. This approach deepens learning and enhances problem-solving skills—an essential competency in today’s world.
The Role of Visuals in Math Learning
Cheri Dotterer highlights the importance of visuals in helping students overcome math challenges. “Visuals are the foundation of life—they connect us to everyday activities,” she explains. Visuals bridge abstract numbers and tangible understanding for students struggling with concepts like counting or skip counting.
For instance, skip counting—a method of counting by intervals, such as twos or tens—is more accessible when paired with visual aids. These strategies are particularly beneficial for occupational therapists, who can integrate visuals into their therapy sessions to support students with unique learning needs.
Scaling the Movement: Coaching and Collaboration
Another key theme in this episode is the importance of coaching. As educators adopt new techniques, they need support to master and implement these methods effectively. Jonily challenges listeners to think about how they can mentor colleagues: “How would you coach a teacher who is not in the place that you are to get them to the place that you are?”
Collaboration among educators creates a ripple effect, amplifying the impact of these innovative approaches. By fostering a culture of shared growth, teachers and occupational therapists can scale these interventions and transform education at all levels.
Practical Takeaways for Educators
This episode of Tier 1 Interventions leaves listeners with several actionable ideas:
- Ask “Keep Thinking” Questions: Replace traditional prompts with open-ended questions encouraging exploration and critical thinking.
- Use Visuals to Bridge Gaps: Leverage visual aids to make abstract math concepts more accessible.
- Empower Through Coaching: Share your knowledge and experiences with peers to build a more capable teaching community.
- Think Beyond Standards: Dive deep into concepts rather than rushing to cover all standards superficially.
Conclusion: A New Vision for Math Education
Math education shouldn’t be mile-wide and an inch deep. With small changes, like incorporating “keep thinking” questions and leveraging visuals, educators can achieve profound depth in their teaching. Jonily notes, “With this small change, look at the depth I can get in 15 minutes.”
Whether you’re a seasoned educator or new to teaching, this episode inspires us to rethink traditional practices and embrace methods that truly engage students in meaningful learning. Ready to dive deeper? Subscribe to Tier 1 Interventions for more insights on revolutionizing education. Also, check out our subscription box for tools that enhance learning and make teaching even more rewarding. Get your CEUs delivered right to your door every month!