Arguments Encouraged

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amywix
Amy Wix

6th grade Math

Kasson-Mantorville Middle School

MCTM Region 1 Director

Last July I attended the TMC16 conference at Augsburg College.  For 3 mornings I worked with a group of math teachers lead by Chris Luzniak (@pispeak) and Matt Baker (@stoodle) aimed at promoting discussion among your students allowing for more talk from them and less talk directed at them.  We all know that there are lots of defense mechanisms students use in math class.  Chris suggests that having structures and routines help to temporarily lower defense mechanisms and create emotional safety.  Common examples or the routines are Chalk Talks and Notice/Wonder discussions.

One idea we were introduced to that I committed to trying in my classroom was the idea of using arguments in class to promote discussion and a “Culture of Thinking.”  Chris tapped into his debate training to develop the structure.  Students are given the basic structure and shown this slide:

arg1 

To begin my my year I established a routine of using either a Which One Doesn’t Belong or Estimation 180 task at the beginning of class. After a couple of weeks, I introduced the idea of an argument. I was thinking that I would have fewer students participate if I required them to stand before they shared their claim/warrant but I was quickly proven wrong.  I actually saw participation from students who hadn’t volunteered before.  The other thing I noticed from my 6th graders was the deeper thought put into their warrants.  Just before Thanksgiving I was using the Estimation 180 picture that had them estimate the weight of a turkey.  I had students say (for a too high estimate) “I know 40 pounds is too much because my younger brother weighs 40 pounds and I know a turkey weighs less than him.”  and “I think 30 pounds is too high because my mom doesn’t struggle carrying one into the house and I think she would struggle with 30 pounds.”  

I look forward to using arguments with “Would You Rather” type questions and “Which is a Better Mistake”  as the school year progresses.   You can check out this slide and lots more on the topic at Chris’s blog https://clopendebate.wordpress.com/