Making Mathematics about Meaning—Not Mnemonics—to Boost Math Scores

As a teacher for more than 20 years, I’ve seen the transformative power of discourse-based mathematics in my first grade classroom. Our school's journey from rote memorization to meaningful mathematical conversations has been amazing.

For years, our school had fallen into a rut—using the same math curriculum for a decade that taught our students tricks to solve problems. While these shortcuts helped with homework and quizzes, we teachers noticed a troubling trend: our students weren’t retaining a deeper understanding as they progressed through grades. They struggled to explain why they were using certain operations or what those operations actually meant. The result? Frustrated students who dreaded math and shut down when faced with challenging problems.

Three years ago, we decided to make a change. We implemented i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, a research-based core mathematics program emphasizing discourse-based mathematics. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with mathematics discourse, but I set expectations with my students for what this would look like in our classroom, explained the procedures, and modeled the behavior. 

The first time I used it, I paired up my students and asked them what they noticed about the problem on the whiteboard, what they wondered about, and asked them to share their thoughts with their partner and discuss a potential solution. I was amazed at the results. My students were connecting with each other. They were engaged. They were on task. I knew then this program was what we’d been missing. 

The Heart of Discourse-Based Mathematics

At its core, discourse-based mathematics is about communicating what we’re thinking. It's the oral and written ways we express mathematical ideas. This approach fosters critical thinking, deepens understanding, and builds mathematical fluency. By encouraging students to talk, engage, and understand together, we create a collaborative learning environment that yields measurable results.

Creating an environment where all students feel part of the classroom and building trust and respect between them is crucial. Without it, students aren’t free to push themselves and take intellectual risks. With our old program, my students had been closed off, and they didn’t raise their hands if they didn’t understand something. Now, I've seen my students share their strategies and reason with peers. They work together, compare different approaches to problem solving, and learn from each other. My class is more empowered because they have the freedom to choose the strategy that works best for them. 

The Impact of Discourse-Based Mathematics

When I was in elementary school, I would copy the problem off the board and memorize the answer. I didn’t think for myself. I used the tricks I had been taught. It’s so different now. With i-Ready Classroom Mathematics, these kids are feeling the math. They’re enjoying the process. And they’re learning strategies that help them develop their critical-thinking skills.

Discourse-based mathematics has transformed our school. It’s turned math from a dreaded subject into an exciting, collaborative adventure. Since implementing our new discourse-based curriculum, the results have been phenomenal. We've seen:

• Improved mathematical understanding
• Increased student engagement
• Enhanced communication skills

Our New York State assessment test scores are on the rise too. But more importantly, our students’ confidence has soared. They not only look forward to math—they’re truly excited to learn.

Looking to the Future

As we continue on this journey, I’m filled with optimism. We’re not just teaching math—we're creating lifelong mathematicians who can think critically, communicate effectively, and solve problems creatively. By providing opportunities for all students to participate in rich mathematical discussions, we’re setting them up for success not just in our classrooms but in their future academic and professional lives.

To learn more about Seton’s success with its math curriculum, check out the success story More Seton Students Achieve Grade-Level Proficiency through Discourse-Based Mathematics.

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More Resources:
Three Musts for Manipulatives in Math Class
Four Must-Haves for Your Core Math Solution
A Deeper Approach to Math Practice Adds Up to Big Results