When the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) developed the Principles and Standards for School Mathematics in 2000, it was with an intention that mathematics instruction would emphasize both content and process. Within the document, NCTM describes five content standards (number and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis/probability) and five process standards (problem solving, reasoning/proof, communication, connections, and representation). Many times the process standards were overlooked.
In the development of the Common Core State Standards, there has been a more intentional focus on the Standards for Mathematical Practices. While content standards provide a "what" we teach in mathematics, the mathematical practices provide the "how" we do it.
I attended several wonderful sessions at the recent annual conference held by the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics in Columbus. I am attaching one of the many useful ideas I found - ideas for what those mathematical practices look like in the classroom. A word of caution - this is not an all-inclusive list! I do not see this as a checklist of "must-dos" but rather a tool to help you reflect on your own teaching. Do these phrases describe your classroom? If so, where are they strongest? Where might you place a different emphasis? How can these practices help you differentiate instruction? It might be useful in planning lessons to be sure that you are addressing a variety of the practices.
Happy teaching! :-)
Standards for Mathematical Practices
