Rather than relying on students' computation knowledge as they evaluate complex word problems, equations, and expressions, I've encouraged the students to use calculators when needed.
I have always read that this is a good idea, but frankly have not used calculators during math class that often beyond the task of finding multiples or checking calculations.
So today as students powered through a challenging algebraic thinking problem set related to the new common core standards, they used calculators to evaluate and create expressions and equations.
As I walked around the room coaching individuals and small groups, I was reminded of Willingham's book which notes the research that shows why it's important to have automaticity with facts and computation to be able to do more complex math. I honor Willingham's words and during a separate thread of our math program I work with students to develop that automaticity and computation fluency, but for today's focus on higher level concepts, the calculators took the place of long term memory when it came to correct calculations. Students, whether they were fact/computation strong or challenged, could access this higher level thinking with the use of a calculator, and this helped them to determine relationships between and amongst numbers as well as solve multi-step word problems while using lots of math academic language with peers.
A good math program employs many tools. Yes, as stated previously, students need to build automaticity with facts and computation, but they also need to be able to see the connections, relationships, and patterns of math. Using the calculators allowed every child to reach for rich understanding, and this created a positive learning atmosphere.
I'll be interested to see how they transfer today's whole class and collaborative learning to tomorrow's independent assessment. I also look forward to their application of this knowledge to complex problems, equations, and expressions later in the year without the calculators at a time when most students have reached their computation/fact fluency and accuracy goals.
In the meantime, we'll continue to use multiple online and offline tools, strategies, and materials including calculators to teach and learn math well. Onward.
