DMIC: Planning and Understanding for Big Ideas

Step 1: Begin with the mathematics

• -Planning takes time. 
• -Consider what you students need in the way of Big Ideas (NZ Maths Key Ideas is another place to look for Big Ideas
• KNOW the Curriculum for your year level
• Google "big mathematical ideas"
• van de Walle book is highly recommended

Step 2: Thing about your students

• What do they bring mathematically and culturally
• Put current knowledge and interests at the centre of instructional decision making
• How can you best present mathematical concepts that match prior knowledge?

Step 3: Decide on a task/problem

• Be clear about the big idea you want to connect to and explore
• It must be group worthy with appropriate challenge level
• Low floor, high ceiling
• Culturally responsive and relevant to your students
• Using bigger numbers allows for students to work at a higher (deeper) level of understanding

Step 4: Predict what will happen

• Anticipate all approaches including misconceptions
• Recognise what they are thinking and how to move forward
• Identify what you're looking for and who is going to share and why