Concept-based Mathematics

YouCubed:  Mathematical Fluency Without Fear 

Over the past several years, Jo Boaler, Professor at Stanford University, has developed YouCubed, a website dedicated to promoting inquiry- and concept-based mathematics instruction. In her most recent publication, Fluency Without Fear, she posits that a focus on fluency in mathematics is important; however, fluency is often misinterpreted as rote memorization of math facts without any number sense.

• “High achieving students use number sense and it is critical that lower achieving students, instead of working on drill and memorization, also learn to use numbers flexibly and conceptually. Memorization and timed testing stand in the way of number sense, giving students the impression that sense making is not important.”
• “When we emphasize memorization and testing in the name of fluency we are harming children, we are risking the future of our ever-quantitative society and we are threatening the discipline of mathematics (Boaler, pg. 8).”

Fluency Without Fear provides many concrete activities students can engage in to expand their conceptual understanding of number sense. Take a look at the end for some easy and ready-to-use activities for your classes, such as:

• How Close to 100?
• Pepperoni Pizza
• How Many Are Hiding?
• Shut the Box

Conceptual Learning: Number
Hear Jo speak about the importance of conceptual-based mathematics teaching and learning for all our students, particularly with our students who struggle the most.

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