Building Understanding

It’s in our name. We believe that students build strong mathematical understandings when their curiosity is sparked, when they actively engage with rich problems, and when they share their thinking with their peers.

In our small group sessions, we take a social constructivist approach to teaching and learning. Students confront real life situations, raise mathematical questions, consider possible solution pathways, and then start to problem solve. Unlike traditional instruction, our teachers do not demonstrate how to solve problems and have students replicate procedures. Our students construct their own solutions by struggling with problems that are just beyond their current level of understanding. Teachers ask probing questions and offer guidance. In session wrap ups, students back come together to share the strategies and solutions that they discovered. Socially constructed understandings are built and owned by the students. The result is deeper conceptual learning and internalized mathematical thinking habits.

For a deeper look into constructivism, watch Constructivist Learning.