CHAPTER 4: Mathematical Habits of Mind

Traditionally, the teaching of school mathematics has had mathematics content at the forefront. Students are expected to learn number facts, definitions, properties, and procedures through memorization and practice. In tandem with this emphasis is the belief that anyone who possesses this content knowledge and is able to communicate, inherently can “teach” mathematics. While the content is important, on its own it falls short of encompassing what we want students to learn through the study of mathematics. As future global citizens, as employees, as inventors or entrepreneurs, as participants in society, students must be able to think mathematically and be inclined to use mathematics to solve problems, understand and analyze situations, and reason and make connections; that is, we also want students to develop what some have termed mathematical habits of mind.