Elementary Mathematics Instruction Flashcards

Which approach to math instruction emphasizes students developing their own strategies before learning standard algorithms?

Answer: Constructivist or reform-based mathematics

Constructivist math instruction values students building meaning through problem-solving and developing informal strategies before formalizing algorithms.

A number line is used to show that -3 is to the LEFT of 0. This is an example of teaching which concept?

Answer: Negative integers

Placing negative numbers to the left of zero on a number line is a foundational representation for understanding negative integers.

Which type of graph is most appropriate for showing how a student's height changed over several years?

Answer: Line graph

Line graphs are best for showing change over time because connected data points reveal trends and patterns across a continuous period.

A student solves 8 ÷ 2 by thinking 'how many groups of 2 are in 8?' This reflects which division concept?

Answer: Measurement (quotitive) division

Measurement (quotitive) division asks how many groups of a given size are in the total, as opposed to partitive division which distributes into a known number of groups.

Which manipulative is most useful for helping students understand place value to the thousands?

Answer: Base-ten blocks

Base-ten blocks use unit cubes, rods, flats, and large cubes to physically represent ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands.

When teaching elapsed time, a teacher has students use clocks to find how long it is from 9:15 AM to 11:45 AM. What is the elapsed time?

Answer: 2 hours 30 minutes

From 9:15 to 11:15 is 2 hours, and from 11:15 to 11:45 is 30 more minutes, totaling 2 hours 30 minutes.