Characteristics of Highly Effective Mathematics Teaching and Learning

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Sharp Tutor Mon, Jan 10, 2022 07:55 PM UTC

Here, We will discuss some characteristics of a teacher and the students to make mathematics class highly effective.

1. Characteristics of Highly Effective Mathematics Teaching and Learning
Learning Climate: a safe environment supported by the teacher in which high, clear expectations and
positive relationships are fostered; active learning is promoted
Teacher Characteristics:
A – Teacher creates learning environments where students are active participants as individuals
and as members of collaborative groups. The teacher:
1) models literacy and numeracy strategies to enable students to communicate and analyze
mathematical problems/tasks and solutions.
B – Teacher motivates students and nurtures their desire to learn in a safe, healthy and
supportive environment which develops compassion and mutual respect.
C – Teacher cultivates cross cultural understandings and the value of diversity.
D – Teacher encourages students to accept responsibility for their own learning and
accommodates the diverse learning needs of all students.
E – Teacher displays effective and efficient classroom management that includes classroom
routines that promote comfort, order and appropriate student behaviors.
F – Teacher provides students equitable access to technology, space, tools and time. The teacher:
1) provides access to the common core curriculum by utilizing differentiated teaching strategies,
interventions, manipulatives, calculators, information technology, etc.
G – Teacher effectively allocates time for students to engage in hands-on experiences, discuss and
process content and make meaningful connections

2. H – Teacher designs lessons that allow students to participate in empowering activities in which
they understand that learning is a process and mistakes are a natural part of learning.
I – Teacher creates an environment where student work is valued, appreciated and used as a
learning tool. The teacher:
1) provides opportunities for students to share mathematical ideas with others and to problem solve.
Student Characteristics:
A – Student accepts responsibility for his/her own learning. The student:
1) asks for clarifications or additional resources when needed,
2) explains alternate methods to determine solutions and/or
3) analyzes mathematical concepts for understanding.
B – Student actively participates and is authentically engaged. The student:
1) utilizes literacy and numeracy skills to communicate and analyze mathematical problems/tasks and
C – Student collaborates/teams with other students. The student:
1) collaborates to examine mathematical ideas and procedures to communicate, reason and problem
D – Student exhibits a sense of accomplishment and confidence.
E – Student takes educational risks in class. The student:
1) refutes mathematical processes/solutions,
2) listens carefully and
3) asks questions to clarify mathematical thinking.
F – Student practices and engages in safe, responsible and ethical use of technology.

3. Mathematics Learning Climate PD guide- click here to download a
professional development guide on learning climate in mathematics. This module
is intended to be used within professional learning communities in your school or
View the video clip for the Mathematics Learning Climate PD
guide (dsl/cable). [dialup] (This video is intended to be a representative
‘snapshot’ of what may commonly be observed in classrooms throughout the
Commonwealth—not necessarily as a benchmark of every characteristic for the
associated component. Using the Characteristics of High Quality Teaching and
Learning, the video clip and the accompanying facilitator’s guide, professional
learning communities can engage in conversations around increasing
competencies in this component.)
Classroom Assessment and Reflection: the teacher and student collaboratively gather information
and reflect on learning through a systematic process that informs instruction
Teacher characteristics:
A – Teacher uses multiple methods and systematically gathers data about student understanding
and ability.
B – Teacher uses student work/data, observations of instruction, assignments and interactions
with colleagues to reflect on and improve teaching practice. The teacher:
1) uses practical applications of current research on classroom assessment as a basis on which to
improve mathematics pedagogy.
C – Teacher revises instructional strategies based upon student’s achievement data. The

4. 1) makes assessments (formative and summative) an integral component of instructional decision
2) utilizes assessment guidelines explicitly for the purpose of improving instruction and increasing
student achievement.
D – Teacher uncovers students’ prior understanding of the concepts to be addressed and
addresses students’ misconceptions/incomplete conceptions. The teacher:
1) uses this information to determine students’ range of strategies and skills in order to design
cutting-edge instruction to stretch student thinking.
E – Teacher co-develops scoring guides/rubrics with students and provides adequate modeling to
make clear the expectations for quality performance. The teacher:
1) shares this information for the purpose of demonstrating proficient work in mathematics.
F – Teacher guides students to apply rubrics to assess their performance and identify
improvement strategies.
G – Teacher provides regular and timely feedback to students and parents that moves learners
forward. The teacher:
1) gives feedback that is focused, descriptive, and qualitative.
H – Teacher allows students to use feedback to improve their work before a grade is assigned.
I – Teacher facilitates students in self- and peer-assessment.
J – Teacher reflects on work and makes adjustments as learning occurs.
Student Characteristics:
A – Student recognizes what proficient work looks like and determines steps necessary for
improving his/her work.
B– Student develops and/or uses scoring guides periodically to assess his/her own work or that of
C– Student uses teacher feedback to improve his/her work.
D – Student reflects on work and makes adjustments as learning occurs.
E-Student reflects on work and makes adjustments as learning occurs.

5. Mathematics Learning Targets Video
Mathematics Summative Assessment Video
(This video is intended to be a representative ‘snapshot’ of what may commonly
be observed in classrooms throughout the Commonwealth—not necessarily as a
benchmark of every characteristic for the associated component.)
Instructional Rigor and Student Engagement: a teacher supports and encourages a student’s
commitment to initiate and complete complex, inquiry-based learning requiring creative and critical
thinking with attention to problem solving
Teacher Characteristics:
A –Teacher instructs the complex processes, concepts and principles contained in state and
national standards using differentiated strategies that make instruction accessible to all students.
The teacher:
1) plans and integrates appropriate differentiated strategies to ensure all students have access to quality
2) utilizes current curriculum documents in the development of course outlines/maps in order to ensure
instructional rigor.
B – Teacher scaffolds instruction to help students reason and develop problem-solving strategies.
The teacher:
1) scaffolds instruction to align with students’ levels of learning for the purpose of helping students
reason and solve cognitively challenging mathematical tasks utilizing appropriate problem-solving
C – Teacher orchestrates effective classroom discussions, questioning, and learning tasks that
promote higher-order thinking skills. The teacher:
1) facilitates effective classroom discussion and learning tasks that promote reasoning higher-order
thinking skills that involve reasoning, conjecturing, proof, and validating.
2) helps students understand mathematical structures and the connections among them.
D – Teacher provides meaningful learning opportunities for students. The teacher:
1) provides opportunities for students to be actively engaged in mathematics activities which promote

6. meaningful learning and discussions among students.
2) introduces appropriate mathematics representations (pictures, objects, symbols) that allow students
to communicate and connect mathematical ideas effectively.
E – Teacher challenges students to think deeply about problems and encourages/models a variety
of approaches to a solution. The teacher:
1) models a variety of approaches for solving mathematics problems and challenges students to reflect
on their approaches and the approaches of other students.
F – Teacher integrates a variety of learning resources with classroom instruction to increase
learning options. The teacher:
1) models and integrates a variety of learning resources (technology including computers, software,
calculators, manipulatives, diagrams) in classroom instruction for the purpose of understanding and
solving mathematics problems and communicating their solutions.
G – Teacher structures and facilitates ongoing formal and informal discussions based on a
shared understanding of rules and discourse.
H – Teacher integrates the application of inquiry skills into learning experiences. The teacher:
1) requires students to explore and reason about mathematical ideas.
I – Teacher clarifies and shares with students learning intentions/targets and criteria for success.
The teacher:
1) communicates these using student friendly language so that students have an understanding of
mathematical proficiency.
Student Characteristics:
A – Student articulates and understands learning intentions/targets and criteria for success.
B – Student reads with understanding a variety of texts. The student:
1) reads and solves contextual problems using a variety of strategies.
C – Student applies and refines inquiry skills. The student:
1) asks questions and identifies concepts to guide problem solving,
2) uses appropriate tools (technology and manipulatives) to facilitate mathematical reasoning,
3) collaborates with other students, and/or
4) justifies solutions to problems by communicating through symbolic, hands-on, or spoken

7. Instructional Relevance: a teacher’s ability to facilitate learning experiences that are meaningful to
students and prepare them for their futures.
Teacher Characteristics:
A – Teacher designs learning opportunities that allow students to participate in empowering
activities in which they understand that learning is a process and mistakes are a natural part of
the learning. The teacher:
1) designs learning opportunities that allow students to participate in relevant activities.
2) establishes a learning environment so that students will realize learning is a process and mistakes are
a natural part of learning.
3) models the characteristics of a lifelong learner in his/her instruction by asking guiding questions of
self and students.
B – Teacher links concepts and key ideas to students’ prior experiences and understandings, uses
multiple representations, examples and explanations. The teacher:
1) demonstrates how the big ideas in mathematics are connected.
2) uses multiple representations, relevant examples and clear explanations to enhance student learning.
C – Teacher incorporates student experiences, interests and real-life situations in instruction.
D – Teacher selects and utilizes a variety of technology that support student learning.
E – Teacher effectively incorporates 21st Century Learning Skills that prepare students to meet
future challenges.
F – Teacher works with other teachers to make connections between and among disciplines. The
1) poses real-world problems involving other disciplines for students to solve by applying
mathematical reasoning.
G – Teacher makes lesson connections to community, society, and current events. The teacher:
1) poses real-world problems involving community, society and current events for students to solve by
applying mathematical reasoning.
Student Characteristics:
A – Student poses and responds to meaningful questions. The student:
1) listens carefully.
2) asks questions to clarify mathematical thinking.
3) refutes mathematical processes/solutions.
4) shows persistence during the process of learning.
B – Student uses appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret quantitative
and qualitative data. The student:
1) uses multiple representations (e.g., charts, models, graphs, symbols, tables, and diagrams) to
communicate mathematically and to uncover different aspects of the problem.

8. C – Student develops descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence. The
1) uses these when communicating about mathematical reasoning.
D – Student works collaboratively to address complex, authentic problems which require
innovative approaches to solve. The student:
1) works on mathematics that is connected to other content areas.
2) communicates how the big ideas in mathematics are connected.
3) uncovers mathematical connections that may lead to deeper understanding.
E – Student communicates knowledge and understanding in a variety of real-world forms. The
1) draws from prior learning knowledge to learn new mathematics content.
2) utilizes 21st Century Learning Skills to prepare to meet future challenges.
F – Student communicates knowledge and understanding for a variety of purposes. The student:
1) connect his/her personal experiences to mathematics learning and
2) provide examples of how mathematics is used outside the classroom.
Knowledge of Content: a teacher’s understanding and application of the current theories, principles,
concepts and skills of a discipline.
Teacher Characteristics:
A- Teacher demonstrates an understanding and in-depth knowledge of content and maintains an
ability to convey this content to students. The teacher:
1) demonstrates an understanding and in-depth knowledge of mathematics content (mathematical
content knowledge for teaching) and uses this knowledge as a basis for developing and applying
pedagogical content knowledge.
2) provides opportunities for students to develop profound reasoning and a deeper understanding of
3) demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of mathematics content and is able to engage in dialogue about
the content with colleagues, students, parents, and others in the community.
B- Teacher maintains on-going knowledge and awareness of current content developments. The
1) maintains awareness of current developments in the field of mathematics and can explain what these
developments mean to each group of stakeholders.
2) maintains an awareness of current developments in the field of mathematics education.
3) uses current developments to build pedagogical content knowledge.
4) engages in professional dialogue with colleagues regarding the research implications for sound
practice that develops students’ advanced thinking, robust fluency and flexible use of mathematical

9. C- Teacher designs and implements standards-based courses/lessons/units using state and
national standards. The teacher:
1) poses tasks that
• are based on sound and significant mathematics.
• are based on knowledge of students' understandings, interests, and experiences.
• are based on knowledge of the range of ways that diverse students learn mathematics.
• call for problem formulation, problem solving, and mathematical reasoning.
D- Teacher uses and promotes the understanding of appropriate content vocabulary. The
1) models the appropriate use of mathematical language and provides opportunities for students to
learn content vocabulary and communicate using precise mathematical language.
E- Teacher provides essential supports for all students. The teacher:
1) provides essential supports by drawing on pedagogical content knowledge in order to provide
supports for all students in mathematics (e.g., ESL, students with disabilities, Title I students, G/T).
2) differentiates content levels according to evidence of student need.
F- Teacher accesses a rich repertoire of instructional practices, strategies, resources and applies
them appropriately. The teacher:
1) demonstrates that mathematical understandings occur as a result of solving meaningful problems
rather than merely performing procedures.
2) encourages students to identify the underlying procedures or create procedures using protocols,
protocols, properties, and mathematical reasoning.
3) asks questions that allow for rich discussion and deep student thinking about the richness of related
mathematical ideas.
Student Characteristics:
A- Student demonstrates growth in content knowledge. The student:
1) communicates, orally and in writing, deep understanding, i.e. reflects on connections between
concepts, procedures, and connections.
B- Student uses and seeks to expand appropriate content vocabulary.
C- Student connects ideas across content areas. The student:
1) connects mathematical ideas among different content strands (e.g., number , measurement,
2) connects related operations/ideas within a content strand (e.g. inverse operations; using related facts;
equivalence; functional representations).
D- Student uses ideas in realistic problem solving situations. The student:
1) applies mathematical concepts to all problem situations including those in practical/authentic
contexts or abstract contexts.

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