Summary of Making Mathematical Connections (Maria Quigley)

Main Ideas and Concepts

Importance of Making Connections
- Making mathematical connections explicit is crucial for student understanding and retention.
- Connections help learners access and remember information more easily.
Brainstorming Activity
- Engaging students in brainstorming related to mathematical concepts (e.g., Triangles) encourages them to identify and articulate connections.
- Students can visually map connections on butcher paper, enhancing their awareness of relationships between concepts.
Research and Standards
- The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) emphasizes connections as a core principle in their standards for school mathematics.
- Connections should be made among mathematical ideas, across year groups, and between prior knowledge and new concepts.
Teaching Strategies
- Teachers should make connections explicit for students, particularly when introducing new topics.
- Use relatable examples (e.g., linking algebra to prior knowledge of basic arithmetic) to help students see the relevance of new concepts.
Examples of Connections
- Triangles: Connections to right angles, pyramids, and trigonometry.
- Parabolas: Links to vertex, symmetry, and calculus concepts.
- Quadrilaterals: Connections to angle relationships and linear relationships across different educational stages.

Brainstorming Activity
- Ask students to write down three things related to a given mathematical concept (e.g., Triangles).
- Facilitate a group discussion where students share their ideas.
- Create a visual map of connections among the ideas shared.
Explicit Teaching of Connections
- When introducing new topics, prompt students to recall prior knowledge and relate it to the new concept.
- Use relatable examples to illustrate connections (e.g., using simple arithmetic before introducing algebra).
Encourage Reflection
- After teaching a concept, ask students to identify connections to other mathematical ideas or real-life applications.
Utilize Resources
- Explore resources from NCTM for additional strategies and materials to support making connections in mathematics.

Maria Quigley: Main speaker discussing the importance of making mathematical connections.
Ellen Golinski: Mentioned as a source discussing life skills related to making connections.
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM): Referenced for their principles and standards related to mathematical education.

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