Keeping Children Engaged and Achieving in Mathematics

I recently read some reports on teaching strategies and approaches that were observed in schools across New Zealand. This report shares some of the simple strategies used in classrooms where achievement in mathematics had been accelerated.
Some key things came out of the different studies I read

• Mixed ability groups-what the studies said in this area is that there are several positives to this approach. Benefit for more able mathematicians was that they think more deeply about alternative solutions. It helped with children who were not positive about maths by changing their thinking as they gained more confidence since working in mixed ability groups. These children were also able to experience a wider variety of mathematical strategies.
• Maths Talk-  A good thing that I can see from this approach is that they speak more maths talk. It is important that they are taught how to do this and how to approach the maths problem. If children share their approaches to a problem it will help them have a deeper understanding of what they have learnt. Children were noted to say that they liked being taught strategies by their peers because they found it easier to understand their language.
• Support- There is a need for some Professional Development in this problem solving approach  to ensure all teachers are on the same page in going forward. Parents/caregivers need to be aware of this different approach for maths and how it can benefit their child and also how they can help at home to support their child. 

I plan to get started on including more problem solving in my maths programme and reading this does certainly show some positives for starting this type of approach. I of course still admittedly have a few concerns about mixed ability but do like the idea of doing problem solving that is authentic and will give definitely give a go. I wish to get some resources in the area of teaching the children how to approach problem solving questions. I have found in what I have done so far they need some work in this area.