Comparing of Different Strategies

There is more than one way to skin a cat.  I remember my mother telling me this as I grew up.  Real mathematicians know that there is more than one way to solve a problem.  There may be more or less efficient strategies, but there is more than one strategy.  Often times the “traditional” strategy is rote learned with little to no understanding.  If students explore and discover strategies or algorithms that works, it is important for them to share and compare their strategies with others.  These strategies often make more sense and can be very efficient.  Teachers from the MSP grant share the following that they would like to remember: “Have students discover rules/ procedures that way they will remember.” “There are different ways of processing information.” “Students who can explain why a procedure works are going to be more successful.”