Heinemann Blog

Modeling with Mathematics: Addressing Common Concerns

Written by Digital Editor | Sep 24, 2015 4:03:07 AM

“You don’t have to be sitting on top of the mountain with all the answers when you start modeling.” —Nancy Butler Wolf

Mathematical modeling is a hot topic in education, with many schools and teachers looking for resources and strategies to help incorporate modeling into their instruction. But what is modeling exactly? And how can you fit it into your already busy schedule?

In her new book, Modeling with Mathematics, Nancy Butler Wolf provides clear, friendly guidance for teachers to use authentic modeling projects in their classrooms. She provides detailed examples and hands-on activities that support students in developing key problem-solving skills and becoming engaged mathematicians.

Watch Nancy address three common concerns that teachers and administrators have when they think about adding more modeling tasks to instruction: limited teaching time, releasing some classroom control, and how to assess modeling.

 

Interested in learning more about mathematical modeling? Watch Nancy’s previous video on how modeling helps students develop understanding and stay tuned to the Heinemann blog for more from Nancy over the next few weeks. You can also click here to read a sample from her book.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Nancy Butler Wolf is a national math consultant and curriculum developer who has served as a member of NCTM’s Illuminations Writing Group. She has over 30 years of classroom teaching experience and has presented at various conferences on mathematical modeling and algebraic reasoning. Follow her on Twitter @drnanbut.