Mathematical discourse is a teaching approach that promotes student engagement in discussing math concepts to enhance understanding and reasoning skills. This student-centered method encourages teachers to use probing questions, facilitating a deeper exploration of problem-solving strategies. Rooted in constructivist theory, this approach emphasizes collaborative learning, where students interact to develop knowledge collectively.

1. What is Mathematical
Discourse?
By Chris Siew
http://teacher163.blogspot.com
http://teacher163.blogspot.com

2. Definition
• Mathematical discourse is a teaching
approach that engages students in discussion
about math in a manner that articulate their
understanding of concepts. Through the
lesson activities, students also sharpen their
skills in mathematical reasoning and debate.
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3. The Approach
• This approach to teaching mathematics is a
more constructivist and student-centered
approach that involves teachers asking
probing questions; think “Socratic
Questioning”, to make student thinking visible
by eliciting from them the steps needed to
arrive at the solution and why a certain
strategy was used.
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4. Learning Design
• Through strategically designed learning
activities, students are given opportunities to
critique their own and others’ idea and
uncover efficient solutions to mathematical
problems.
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5. The Theory
• Classroom discourse is based on the theory of
constructivism, which states that learning
happens when the students interact with the
environment. Through these interactions,
knowledge is created.
• This is also aligned with the social-cultural views
on learning which advocates that learning is a
social process whereby students working
collaboratively are able to reach new
understanding that otherwise could not be
achieved by working alone.
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6. Connect with me!
• You can find out more about advancing
learning through Mathematical Discourse by
following my blog (
http://teacher163.blogspot.com)
http://teacher163.blogspot.com