Make Math Moments Academy › Forums › Full Workshop Reflections › Module 4: Teaching Through Problem Solving to Build Understanding › Lesson 4-2: Automaticity vs. Memorization › Lesson 4-2: Automaticity vs. Memorization › Reply To: Lesson 4-2: Automaticity vs. Memorization
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Since most teachers were taught math through memorization, and most students are still taught math through memorization, it is very important that I, as a middle school math teacher, really try to spark student’s curiousity into WHY these memorized math things work.
I really want them to have a deeper understanding of math instead of just seeing a few numbers in a story problem and thinking: should I add them, subtract them or multiply them?
It’s interesting when you ask students to “restate the problem in your own words”, they can’t. And when I question: why would you multiply those two values? they have NO idea.
I can’t wait to use the notice/wonder concept with re-written problems in my classes. I think that is a game-changer, to get them interested and asking why instead of just expecting memorization of facts & formulas.