Instructional Routines to Promote Engagement and Critical Thinking
Instructional Routines to Promote Engagement and Critical Thinking
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Would you like your students to connect more with the math they’re learning? There are instructional routines that can help. These activities are designed to engage students and build mathematical thinking. They develop mathematical reasoning and conceptual understanding, allow learners to apply their creativity, and support a positive math identity for all students. To get started, read this blog or watch this video. Then, dig deeper with the resources below and/ or discuss with colleagues at the end of the month!
Tutor Tip: The links below focus on math-specific instructional routines, but the same idea can be applied to any subject. It is true that our brains need new and different stimuli—hence the importance of changing it up and adding variety—but it is also true that we need routines in our learning. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE
Instructional routines build in structure, consistency, and repetition, which most students require in order to learn. Any activity can become a routine, as long as the instructions and pacing are the same each time and clear to the student.
For math, common examples are ‘wrong answers only,’ ‘notice and wonder’, ‘which one doesn’t belong’, ‘think-pair-share,’ and ‘slow reveal’. Notice how these activities can easily be applied for language tutoring as well. Other activities that you may recognize and that work for all subjects include guided discussion, quick-writes, information gaps, ‘same or different’, ‘would you rather’, ‘convince me that’, and ‘word/ number of the day’. You get the idea. Not only can these activities lead to deeper thinking, but they are interactive and fun.
You probably have routines that you already use in your sessions. Do you use them regularly? Do you ensure that they are consistent? Do students know exactly what to do when the time comes? Those are the key attributes of an instructional routine.
Note: If you don’t tutor math, Harvard Project Zero’s Thinking Routines Toolbox is a great place to start exploring, and many of these serve all students in all subject areas, as they are centered around critical and creative thinking and problem solving.
Getting Started with Math Instructional Routines
Introduction & Support
Introduction & Support
What is a math instructional routine? How do they support student learning?
To get started learning, read the article or watch the video below:
Ready to give it a try? Try the Wrong Answers Only routine or explore other routines using the resources below.
Comprehensive Lists & Instructions for Math Instructional Routines
Self-Reflection
Self-Reflection
Consider these questions about using instructional routines:
How do you think consistent routines help adult learners feel more confident in class? Could this be helpful to students with math anxiety?
Ready for the next step? Read this blog and try the WODB routine with your students, using this guidance.
Do your students share their ideas and express curiosity about the topics you teach? How often is your instruction driven by their thinking?
Ready for the next step? Read this blog and try the Notice & Wonder routine.
What routines (repeated activities) do you currently use in your instruction? What aspect of math (procedural fluency, conceptual understanding, or application) do they build?
Ready for the next step? Go back to the ANN site and try something new that emphasizes an aspect of math that you want to focus on.
Digging Deeper
Digging Deeper
Ready to learn more?
Extended Training Webinar
Related Research Articles
Teaching Routines and Student-centered Mathematics Instruction | ScienceDirect
Developing Conceptual Understanding and Procedural Fluency through Model-facilitated Learning (MFL)
Have you tried using any of these routines? How did it go? Are you interested in trying them but need a little support?
📝Share your experience, questions, and suggestions using this form.📝
Share Your Thoughts
Join the discussion on August 28 from 12-1 pm!
Did you learn something new here? Try implementing it in your instruction! Let us know how it goes or ask for clarification or support using this feedback form!
Would you like to learn about another topic? Explore the Instructional Learning Library here or suggest a topic on the above form.
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