Being able to “do” math conceptually and procedurally for children, is a way of understanding the world around them. Doing math isn’t just memorizing a math formula, but being able to apply it in a real life situation (Van De Walle, 14). Making sense of a mathematical formula helps a child understand why their answer is correct or incorrect. They can determine sense of a problem by picturing the situation, looking for keywords, and using tools such as charts to check for correct answers (Van de Walle, A-1). Being able to do math procedurally helps a student understand what the formula is. Conceptual understanding helps a student understand a real life situation and applying a learnt formula. For example, if a child knows the procedural formula…show more content… Relational understanding is applying both conceptual and procedural instruction. Relational understanding is supported through focused, coherent, and rigorous mathematical instruction. A child needs a clear visual, logical, and consistent definition from the teacher’s instruction. The instruction should also be rigorous in order to help children with their thinking. A visual example can be a graph, physical tool, symbols, diagram, table, context or the actual definition of a word (Van de Walle, 24). A coherent or logical example would be step by step instruction. An example would be like the rounding example from class. First you stated the number (46), 2nd you asked where the ones and tens place was, the number 4 is in the ten’s place the number 6 is in the one’s place, 3rd you gave the rule if the number in the ones place is 4 and below then it stays the same 5 and above you round the tens place up). Lastly, an example of rigorous instruction would be started with prior knowledge or definitions and gradually working up to a more cognitive challenging question. Once the child comprehends the actual formula and visuals then they will be able to “draw diagrams, give examples, find equivalencies, and tell the approximate” answer to a question (Van de Walle, 21). The child will be able to comprehend why a rule works and can then apply their knowledge of a rule to another situation, thus making relational understanding
