We are excited to announce that nine IMYC Big Ideas now feature support for Mathematics, developed in collaboration with Mathematics teachers within the IMYC network.
A range of optional tasks that cover IMYC mathematical strands have been created that provide authentic links to the nine IMYC Big Ideas. Our aim is for the Mathematics classroom in an IMYC school to feel more connected to the implementation of the curriculum.
The following nine IMYC Big Ideas now have mathematical support and activities:
Each Mathematics addition has at least four optional tasks with Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs). MEAs are open-ended activities designed for students to demonstrate their mathematical knowledge and are created to make deeper connections to the Big Idea. These tasks allow students to understand the real-life implications of the Knowledge, Skills and Understanding they are developing in the Mathematics classroom. It also allows them to show their reasoning and intuition related to the in-class skills they are continuously developing. By giving appropriate context to mathematical learning, students will have the opportunity to make personal meaning, understand why the Mathematical Learning Goals are purposeful to their daily life and due to this, avoid the “pruning” of information they view as irrelevant.
According to a recent blog from the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF), it is paramount that teachers and students alike make sense through modelling in the learning process. The EEF’s blog provides detail on modelling through their guidance report based on evidence found in England’s Key Stages 2 and 3 in Mathematics. EEF’s key findings were the following:
In the nine IMYC additions to the Big Ideas, the use of Model-Eliciting Activities echoes the findings within the Education Endowment Foundation’s guidance report. The MEAs allow students to explore and use different mathematical strategies in realistic situations while engaging in group discussion and group work. Students are also encouraged to explain their methods and processes to how they found answers to MEA questions and scenarios. As an outcome, students should engage more with their critical and creative thinking along with taking risks as they are exposed to more MEAs within the classroom.
When to Use Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs)
The timescale of each suggested MEA varies and it is suggested to view the available tasks to see if any would best fit the intended strand(s) covered during current practice. Some projects may take a single lesson, while others may require a larger time commitment but have the opportunity to yield a deeper understanding of the Mathematical Learning Goals covered. Most projects are designed to be flexible, based on the amount of information or pre-teaching provided for the students. If Mathematics teachers only have only one lesson for the MEAs, they will need to provide more data, give more examples, and do more pre-teaching. Ideally, finding time to commit to at least one Big Idea project per unit should help further the needs of the adolescent brain. Some suggestions on appropriate use are as follows:
These projects will provide opportunities for making meaning, interlinking learning, collaborating with peers, student agency and taking supported risks throughout. To find the best results of these projects, blocking out a suitable amount of time for student investigation and exploration are expected. Additional needs such as resources, websites and other materials are often provided within each optional task.
How to Use Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs)
By offering a range of suggested investigations and modelling projects for the provided Big Ideas, teachers can select suitable projects to use in conjunction with the current material and Learning Goal coverage that is taking place in typical day-to-day lessons. The projects may suit multiple Big Ideas, even ones not currently provided. By looking through the provided documentation, teachers can assess the best tasks for their school’s Route Plan. Although the tasks for the MEAs suggest the goals that may be covered during the project, different goals may end up being the focus as students are following their own lines of enquiry. Planning can reflect this after students have presented their solutions. The role of the teacher during these projects is that of a facilitator, starting the project with a discussion or activity hook that will engage the learners with the ideas around the project. From there, as the MEA is presented, the teacher should take the role of asking probing questions to help guide learners in their journey. The aim is not to provide direct answers but rather to ask questions that can support the learners in finding the right direction for the task. The projects provide some anticipated questions and useful resources that can be provided to the learners to help them during the project, depending on the need. As many MEAs involve group work, the best way to ensure active participation from all group members is through ensuring that all members of the group have assigned roles and are ensuring to focus on these roles. Groups may find some tasks challenging to begin but suitable scaffolded questioning should help with engagement.
The Six Core Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs)
The Model-Eliciting Activities can be viewed under six core strands:
All provided tasks will address one or more of these principles.
Structure of the Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs)
The structure of each of the nine mathematical additions to the Big Ideas is as follows:
Special thanks to Colin Gear and Pamela Naylor for collaborating, researching and writing the MEA Mathematics activities featured in our nine IMYC units.
Additional Resources
For further information on Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs), please click on the links below:
We would love to hear your ideas and feedback on our new Model-Eliciting Activities, featured as Mathematics additions to the nine IMYC Big Ideas. Please send us an email to contribute@fieldworkeducation.com or pin your thoughts to the MyFieldwork Pinboard to share with the learning community.