Supporting Teacher Learning: Mathematical Thinking: Helping Prospective and Practicing Teachers Focus

Source abstract

How did Misha solve the problems in figure 1, and what mathematical understandings do her strategies reflect? Misha's written work provides a rich context in which prospective and practicing teachers can discuss issues of mathematics, teaching, and learning. These discussions might include conversations about the similarities and differences between Misha's two strategies, what she must have understood about place value to generate these strategies, and what type of instruction likely preceded and should follow this problem-solving effort.