On January 19^th and 20^th, our math trainers Mike Wong and Barbara Blanke were on campus again to provide coaching, observe classrooms, and meet with grade-level teachers.  It is always fun to have them here to deepen our understanding of how mathematical concepts are taught and learned using the Bridges in Mathematics curriculum. 

. . .

Mike and Barbara provided an article focusing on every elementary student’s challenge to master the basic number combinations – the single digit addition and multiplication combinations and their complimentary subtraction and division combinations.  The article, Why Children Have Difficulties Mastering the Basic Number Combinations and How to Help Them by Art Baroody (Teaching Children Mathematics/August 2006) discussed the stages or phases children typically progress through in mastering the basic number combinations. 

·         Phase 1: Counting strategies – using object counting (blocks, fingers, marks) or verbal counting to determine the answer

·         Phase 2: Reasoning strategies – using known information (known facts and relationships) to logically determine (deduce) the answer of an unknown combination

·         Phase 3: Mastery – efficient (fast and accurate) production of answers

. . .

At Wai’alae, we focus on developing meaningful strategies for all students that will result in deeper understanding.   We believe that phases 1 and 2 are essential and integral in achieving phase 3 mastery.  Our Bridges curriculum helps students develop strategies to support this understanding.  Research recognizes that the brain learns best when it can recognize underlying patterns and relationships.  When students recognize the patterns when combining numbers,   they more quickly move from phase 2 to phase 3.  The result is meaningful memorization not just rote memorization. 

Students who learn computational fluency in this way will be more apt to retain their learning and  utilize these patterns and relationships in solving more difficult problems.   You can find more information about Bridges In Mathematics and Arthur J. Baroody on the internet.

To read Mrs. Lagareta’s entire article, click here.

To read Art Broody’s entire article, click here.