Building Mathematical Comprehension - Chapter #5


Hi again sweet friends!

This week we read all about visualizing in math.  I have to say I was amazed to hear that kids have trouble making visualizations - especially those who are used to a lot of TV or screen time.  That made me so sad, since visualizing was one strategy that I felt I was always good at ;)

Some ways that Laney Sammons suggests helping kiddos learn how to visualize are:
-  creating mental images from a concrete object they can see.
-  creating mental images from a concrete object they cannot see.
-  envisioning objects or places that they know well.
-   envisioning objects or places that they know well and then add in familiar actions, events, etc.
-  creating mental images of characters, settings, details, events while listening to a read aloud.
-  studying text images and using them to create their own mental images. 
-  creating mental images independently.  

As with all of the previous strategies the best way to introduce the strategy is through a think aloud which can help students see and hear how the strategy works.  Then through a gradual release of responsibility students will be able to visualize on their own.

My favorite activity that was shared in this chapter was the math stretch to encourage visualization.  The teacher makes a chart labeled "what do you visualize when you think about...? (it may say addition or fractions) and then kids need to add in a diagram/picture.  Once all kids have done this there can be a math huddle to discuss the different answer.  This stretch can be done conversely as well by giving a visual image and then students need to share a mathematical concept, idea, or problem that the image may represent.  

Thanks for joining in again this week - Read on to see if some of my sweet friends were able to link up this week - Until next week - Happy math reading!


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