Mathematizing the World Routine Planning Tools
Purpose: Mathematizing the world routines (MWR) build student observation and problem-posing skills. MWR can be used as a stand-alone routine or as part of a launch to answer a question posed by students.
Find a Hook: The key to planning a MWR is to find an image, video, or object that includes both mathematical features (e.g. invites counting, equal grouping, estimation, measurement) and contextual features that will hook student curiosities or connect to their lives. See example images: Ferris Wheel, Pumpkins, and Giant Crocodile.
Pose three questions to students:
- What do you notice? (builds observation skills)
- What do you wonder? (builds problem-posing skills)
- What questions can be answered using mathematics? (builds problem-posing skills for mathematics)
Record student responses to each question on poster, board, powerpoint or google slide, or document camera. Feel free to note that some of the wonderings could also be questions that could be answered using mathematics. Questions that might come up depending on the image may include: How much…? How many…? How long…? How fast/slow? How much more? How many different …? Is there enough? See sample poster based on the giant crocodile image.
Pursue a posed question. This step is optional but encouraged as it will yield high engagement and build math stamina. To start, students can consider what they already know that could help them to answer the question they posed, what they would need to know or find out, and what assumptions or decisions they might need to make. Structuring the discussion in this way helps students to identify the important quantities in the problem. When students identify an important quantity, but specific information about this quantity is not known or available, this leads students to make needed assumptions.
What do we already know?
What do we need to know or find out?
What assumptions or decisions do we need to make?