ERIC Number: EJ1329828
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022-Jan
Pages: 7
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0025-5769
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Smiles: A Strength-Based On-Ramp Mathematics Task
White, Dorothy Y.
Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12, v115 n1 p49-55 Jan 2022
Every student has mathematical strengths beyond knowing basic facts, solving problems quickly, or showing work clearly. In this article, the author presents Smiles as an "on-ramp" task that supports students working together by unveiling and leveraging mathematical strengths. Nielsen describes on-ramp mathematics tasks as scaffolds that support students in solving more challenging problems. Smiles is a puzzle for groups to assemble and solve a mathematics problem together. As an on-ramp task, it allows students to access previous knowledge, apply their strengths, and practice working with peers "before" solving the main task. Smiles taps into a variety of strengths, including reasoning, arithmetic, tracking information, patterning, and applying previously learned concepts.
Descriptors: Mathematics Skills, Cooperative Learning, Problem Solving, Puzzles, Prior Learning, Mathematical Logic, Thinking Skills, Arithmetic, Pattern Recognition, Middle School Students, Grade 8
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. 1906 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191. Tel: 800-235-7566; Tel: 703-620-9840; Fax: 703-476-2570; e-mail: publicationsdept@nctm.org; Web site: https://pubs.nctm.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; Secondary Education; Elementary Education; Grade 8
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A