Mathematical Proficiency: Exploring Mathematical Strands Through Illustrative Math
Major
Educational Studies
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Educational Studies
Faculty Advisor
Leah Nillas
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-11-2026 11:15 AM
End Date
4-11-2026 12:30 PM
Abstract
Mathematical strands of proficiency are broken up into five components; conceptual understanding: comprehension of concepts, adaptive reasoning: capacity for logical thought and explanation, strategic competence: ability to formulate and represent problems, procedural fluency: flexibility and accuracy, and productive disposition: efficiency. This study focuses on four out of the five strands (conceptual understanding, adaptive reasoning, strategic competence, and procedural fluency). These have been increasingly emphasized in the new mathematics curriculum over time. This study focused on fifth grade students who are now being asked to explain their thinking in a deeper understanding. As a part of this study it looked at students' conceptual understanding, adaptive reasoning, procedural fluency, and strategic competence from Illustrative Math (IM) Curriculum. This was the first year that the students were developing a deeper understanding in a mathematical format. Data was being collected through student work, classroom observations, and lesson plans. Students were learning how to take different questions and word them to their best understanding. There were many examples of how students came up with the answer and how students explained their thinking process. Findings indicated that as time went on students were growing in these four mathematical proficiency strands. This curriculum is very new to students and it was a struggle to get them to understand the concept of explaining. They did not think about how they were going to explain their thinking. Each of these strands was impacting a student's role in their answers and also in how they think.
Mathematical Proficiency: Exploring Mathematical Strands Through Illustrative Math
CNS Atrium
Mathematical strands of proficiency are broken up into five components; conceptual understanding: comprehension of concepts, adaptive reasoning: capacity for logical thought and explanation, strategic competence: ability to formulate and represent problems, procedural fluency: flexibility and accuracy, and productive disposition: efficiency. This study focuses on four out of the five strands (conceptual understanding, adaptive reasoning, strategic competence, and procedural fluency). These have been increasingly emphasized in the new mathematics curriculum over time. This study focused on fifth grade students who are now being asked to explain their thinking in a deeper understanding. As a part of this study it looked at students' conceptual understanding, adaptive reasoning, procedural fluency, and strategic competence from Illustrative Math (IM) Curriculum. This was the first year that the students were developing a deeper understanding in a mathematical format. Data was being collected through student work, classroom observations, and lesson plans. Students were learning how to take different questions and word them to their best understanding. There were many examples of how students came up with the answer and how students explained their thinking process. Findings indicated that as time went on students were growing in these four mathematical proficiency strands. This curriculum is very new to students and it was a struggle to get them to understand the concept of explaining. They did not think about how they were going to explain their thinking. Each of these strands was impacting a student's role in their answers and also in how they think.