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Nix The Tricks

The document discusses removing "tricks" from mathematics teaching and focusing on student understanding. It provides examples of common math mistakes students make and tricks that could cause them. These include tricks like "two negatives make a positive" and "cross multiply." The document notes that nixing tricks is difficult, as students have already learned them and are used to learning that way. It argues teachers should focus on students truly understanding concepts rather than relying on tricks, which can cause issues like being stuck if a trick is forgotten or generalizing inappropriately. The document shares two examples from a teacher's blog where they successfully got students to stop using the trick of "cross multiply" in proportions.

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tina_cardone1
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451 views

Nix The Tricks

The document discusses removing "tricks" from mathematics teaching and focusing on student understanding. It provides examples of common math mistakes students make and tricks that could cause them. These include tricks like "two negatives make a positive" and "cross multiply." The document notes that nixing tricks is difficult, as students have already learned them and are used to learning that way. It argues teachers should focus on students truly understanding concepts rather than relying on tricks, which can cause issues like being stuck if a trick is forgotten or generalizing inappropriately. The document shares two examples from a teacher's blog where they successfully got students to stop using the trick of "cross multiply" in proportions.

Uploaded by

tina_cardone1
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Nix the Tricks

TINA CARDONE
http://www.multiplication.com/learn/learn-fact/3/x/4
Do Some Math
Perspectives:
How would you solve the problems on your own?
How might a student solve these problems?
What are some possible misconceptions/errors?
Whats a cool way to approach each of these?


Do Some Math
Perspectives:
How would you solve the problems on your own?
How might a student solve these problems?
What are some possible misconceptions/errors?
Whats a cool way to approach each of these?

Reflect:
How do the perspectives compare? (Difficulty, number of steps)
How would you teach this leson or introduce this assignment?
Is it a trick?
Method
Kids can
explain:
Shortcut
Because __
said so:
Trick
Definition
New term:
Mnemonic
Based on
previous terms:
Trick
Math Mistakes
What trick could cause these mistakes?
1 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=328 2 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=424
Math Mistakes
Two negatives make a positive
1 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=328 2 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=424
Math Mistakes
What trick could cause this mistake?






3 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=328
Math Mistakes
Same change flip, keep change change






3 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=328

Math Mistakes
What trick could cause this mistake?





4 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=1320





Math Mistakes
Cross multiply cross something!




4 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=1320








Math Mistakes
What trick could cause this mistake?





5 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=476
Math Mistakes
Cross multiply





5 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=476



Math Mistakes
What trick could cause this mistake?





6, 7 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=959
Math Mistakes
Exponent Rules





6, 7 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=959
Math Mistakes
What trick could cause this mistake?







8 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=639
Math Mistakes
Switch the side, switch the sign







8 http://mathmistakes.org/?p=639
Nixing Those Tricks
Is HARD!


Nixing Those Tricks
Is HARD!

Hard for kids who have already learned them

Nixing Those Tricks
Is HARD!

Hard for kids who have already learned them
Hard for kids who are used to learning them

Nixing Those Tricks
Is HARD!

Hard for kids who have already learned them
Hard for kids who are used to learning them
Hard for teachers who have them in their vocabulary

Nixing Those Tricks






Students have no idea how to undo a trick because they dont
know what they are doing!
Understanding something includes having an idea of the inverse.
Attend to Precision
Operation Inverse
Add Subtract
Multiply Divide
Cross Multiply ???
Focus on Understanding
With Tricks Students:
Are stuck if they forget


Focus on Understanding
With Tricks Students:
Are stuck if they forget
Generalize to dissimilar contexts


Focus on Understanding
With Tricks Students:
Are stuck if they forget
Generalize to dissimilar contexts
Dont generalize to similar context


Focus on Understanding
With Tricks Students:
Are stuck if they forget
Generalize to dissimilar contexts
Dont generalize to similar context


Its Not Too Late
Day 120:
I think I have successfully cured my pre-algebra students of using
"cross-multiply." When we started proportions, I heard it with every
other problem. Now, I don't think I've heard it in over a week. What
I'm hearing instead is "don't we multiply 15 to both sides?"

http://relearningtoteach.blogspot.com/2014/03/day-120-buffon-and-quiz.html
I nixed a trick!
Its Not Too Late
Day 143:
After we completed the 8 word problems, I asked a simple question:
Me: "What did I not see in any of these problems? What tactic was
not used?"
S: "Cross-multiplication."
Me: "Did anyone even think to use it?"
S: **silence**

YES!!! One trick nixed!

http://relearningtoteach.blogspot.com/2014/04/day-143-pointed-questions-and-jelly.html

I nixed a trick!
NixTheTricks.com
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Make a suggestion
Have a debate

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