Every day you are in class and something seems to happen that no matter what you do, you get the same answer over and over and its incorrect! What can you do to help yourself figure out where you went wrong?
Look for particular kinds of mistakes. Three types to be exact. Process, math and silly mistakes.
If you understand where you went wrong you can ask meaningful questions to get the math done in an accurate manner. Attending to precision is an important mathematical practice every student should strive to demonstrate everyday.
Process are the kind of meaningful mistakes that really express a students struggle with mastering the steps of a particular concept. The more PM's (as I call them) the student makes the more evident it is that they have not grasped the concept.
Math mistakes are more of a reminder to slow down and check work. Math mistakes can happen when students know how to complete the process step by step but make an arithmetic error. Many MM's doesn't mean the student doesn't understand how to do it- it shows that they are often rushing through the concept and not checking if answer makes sense.
Silly mistakes are truly the least of the meaningful mistakes students encounter day to day in their practice and on assessments. SM's often are not math related-student copied problem/numbers down incorrectly or did not read or follow directions.
If students are equipped with understanding the type of mistake they are making, they can reflect on what they need to change or be aware of to improve their practice and ultimately get that much closer to becoming a MASTER of concepts. Knowing, recognizing and learning from your meaningful mistakes makes you grow as a learner.
Look for particular kinds of mistakes. Three types to be exact. Process, math and silly mistakes.
If you understand where you went wrong you can ask meaningful questions to get the math done in an accurate manner. Attending to precision is an important mathematical practice every student should strive to demonstrate everyday.
Process are the kind of meaningful mistakes that really express a students struggle with mastering the steps of a particular concept. The more PM's (as I call them) the student makes the more evident it is that they have not grasped the concept.
Math mistakes are more of a reminder to slow down and check work. Math mistakes can happen when students know how to complete the process step by step but make an arithmetic error. Many MM's doesn't mean the student doesn't understand how to do it- it shows that they are often rushing through the concept and not checking if answer makes sense.
Silly mistakes are truly the least of the meaningful mistakes students encounter day to day in their practice and on assessments. SM's often are not math related-student copied problem/numbers down incorrectly or did not read or follow directions.
If students are equipped with understanding the type of mistake they are making, they can reflect on what they need to change or be aware of to improve their practice and ultimately get that much closer to becoming a MASTER of concepts. Knowing, recognizing and learning from your meaningful mistakes makes you grow as a learner.