CATCA 2021

Multiplication and division involve much more than knowing the answers to facts. Many students who know facts are not able to think multiplicatively! As a result, they are not sure of what they are really capable of doing with multiplication.
Our job is to prepare kids to think multiplicatively before we ask them to multiply or divide.
In order to do this, we must orchestrate activities, investigations and experiences that allow them to see multiplicative thinking in action. What does multiplication look like? How does it work? To have them answer these questions, we need to make their math a visual experience where the conversation is not about how to get answers but pushes for a deeper understanding of proportional thinking. They must come to see that multiplicative thinking is an upgrade to additive thinking.
We will look at models that match the math behind the answers. Along the way, we will analyze how a problem changes along its solution path. That change is key to understanding the true meaning of multiplicative thinking.We will look at early mutliplicative thinking and then at Proportional thinking, which is the Big Brother/Sister because it uses multiplicative thinking to but becomes much more when numbers other than whole numbers and ideas like ratios and algebraic thinking are introduced.
Together Multiplicative and Proportional Reasoning provide the GATEWAY to Junior and Senior High success.
Come and open the GATE for your students’ future success in math.