Engage Actively in Learning Mathematics

In order to engage actively in the learning process, students:

• Listen to, respond to, and question the teacher and other students

• Build on one another's ideas

• Assume that justifying their answer is part of giving it

• Rely on a variety of tools to reason, make conjectures, solve problems, and communicate

• Initiate problems and questions, and share strategies

• Explore examples and counter-examples to investigate a conjecture

• Search for patterns and question inconsistencies that puzzle them - they are key participants in classroom discourse

• Look for connections and use prior experience and knowledge to solve problems

• Rely on mathematical evidence and argument to determine validity

• Accept the responsibility for helping others and for their role on a team

(Adapted from the Professional Standards for Teaching Mathematics (NCTM, 1991).)

References