Mathematical Modeling: Exciting and Challenging!

Mathematical Modeling is one of the most dramatic changes across the Common Core Math Standards.  Most of us haven't experienced this kind of mathematics inside the classroom -- either as students or as teachers.  Fortunately, most of us have experience in our personal and, possibly, professional lives.  Because mathematical modeling is all about using mathematics to solve complex, real-world problems.  If you've ever planned a party or vacation, bought a car, or renovated a house, you've most likely been engaged in mathematical modeling.

(many more cars and features were included in this task)

Even trying to make healthy eating choices generally involves mathematical modeling, where we have so much nutritional information that we need to prioritize and simplify the information that we decide to focus on as we put together our food selections.  

Today I talked with UCI Department of Education alumni about Mathematical Modeling, and what teachers can start working on with students to help them begin to develop some of the concepts and skills involved in mathematical modeling.

Four areas that seem like good starting points:

1. Identifying important quantities, and discussing possible assumptions and approximations to simplify complex real-world situations
2. Helping students to learn how to strategically use spreadsheets, dynamic inquiry software, and calculators to map and analyze relationships mathematically.  Geogebra is a particularly useful and FREE technology tool that can be used to model geometric, algebraic, and statistical problems.  
3. Having students learn about and get more practice with writing about mathematics.  As you look at sample Smarter Balanced assessment items (see Assessment page at the top of this blog), you'll see the kinds of writing students are likely to be asked to do.  
4. Make sure that students are getting experience with all four Depth of Knowledge levels.  When students are formulating mathematical models, they will probably be working at DOK Level 3.  When they are analyzing, interpreting, and reflecting on their mathematical models, they will be working at DOK Level 4.

If you're looking for more details about how to strategically introduce mathematical modeling to your students, I'd recommend two short papers by Lyn English.  These papers include several math modeling problems, and explain how following their problem sequence can help scaffold student understanding and skill development around mathematical modeling.  

• Mathematical Modelling with Young Learners
• Mathematical Modelling in the Primary School  

If you'd like to see concrete examples of math modeling tasks, I've started a collection of resources on the Domain: Modeling page at the top of this blog.  If you find more good tasks that you think I should add, feel free to include your link in the comments section.

Thanks for all that you do for students!  

Val

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Welcome to the Common Core Math Library

Welcome to the Common Core Math Library blog.  I've started it to provide an organized location for some of the many Common Core math resources.

If you find a resource that you'd like me to add, feel free to post it in the comments section, and I'll do my best to transfer it to one of the resource pages.

And, if you are working with K-12 students, pre-service student teachers, or classroom teachers, and would be willing to share what you are trying and learning about Common Core math standards, I hope you will add your comments to this blog.

Thanks for all that you do for students!

Valerie Henry, Ed.D.
Lecturer, Math Education
UC Irvine