The Modelling Dance task is a mathematical modelling task that explores the relationship between mathematics and dance. The authors share the task sequence, adaptations made to support virtual implementation, and evidence of student learning related to learning goals.

In this article, the author describes a task given to pre-service secondary school mathematics teachers. By exposing them to a relatively simple mathematics process, it was hoped that their ability to plan and implement lessons for their own students would be enhanced.

We present an investigative activity that was set as part of a course of pre-service teachers of mathematics. The emphasis in the course was set on the importance of using the computerized technological tool for teaching the subject. The activity focused on investigating interesting geometrical conservation properties which are not known to the…

Inherent in the Common Core's Standard for Mathematical Practice to "look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning" (SMP 8) is the idea that students engage in this practice by generalizing (NGA Center and CCSSO 2010). In mathematics, generalizing involves "lifting" and communicating about ideas at a level where the…

Mathematical modelling is acknowledged to be one of the major dimensions of mathematical competence, and well-designed modelling activities can provide students with the opportunity to use mathematical concepts and procedures in a meaningful way. Additionally, modelling activities are regarded as suitable contexts for enabling students to use…

In this article, a mathematics teacher educator presents an activity designed to pique the interest of prospective secondary mathematics teachers who may doubt the value of learning abstract algebra for their chosen profession. Herein, he contemplates: what "is" intended by the widespread requirement that high school mathematics teachers…

To improve access to STEM curriculum, an activity was planned that presents the opportunity to design and build using gears and other tools. In this challenge, preservice elementary school teachers were asked to mathematically analyze gears and create an amusement park ride that uses gears to spin. Although this lesson was implemented with…

Progressing from additive to multiplicative thinking is critical for the development of middle school students' proportional reasoning abilities. Yet, many middle school mathematics teachers lack a thorough understanding of additive versus multiplicative situations. This article describes a sequence of instructional activities used to develop the…

In this article, the authors present two activities in which students explore angles and related geometric properties in the context of dance, namely ballet. The activities have been successfully implemented in pre-service numeracy classes at Monash University's two-year, post-degree teacher education program (MTeach). Specifically, the activities…

Mathematical conventions -- which account for the choices of mathematics community regarding definitions of concepts, their names and symbols -- are the focus of this paper. We introduce the task of unpacking, that is, offering plausible explanations and arguments for the choice of conventions. Using responses of four prospective teachers to the…

The process of prime factor splicing to generate home primes raises opportunity for conjecture and exploration. The notion of "home primes" is relatively new in the chronicle of mathematics. Heleen (1996-97) first described a procedure called "prime factor splicing" (PFS). The exploration of home primes is interesting and…

Many mathematics teacher educators encounter the challenge of creating or choosing mathematical tasks that evoke important mathematical insights and connections yet remain firmly grounded in school mathematics. This challenge increases substantially when trying to meet the needs of practicing secondary mathematics teachers pursuing graduate work…

Applying the Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching framework, we discuss the components of teacher knowledge that might be useful in supporting mathematical inquiry, and examine ways in which we strive to develop this knowledge within a middle grades mathematics program for undergraduate students who are prospective teachers. Using sample activities…

This article addresses the struggles teachers face when they attempt to change their teaching style in order to achieve an ideal mathematics classroom. With the implementation of the Common Core State Standards, many of the behaviors associated with an ideal mathematics classroom appear within the Standards for Mathematical Practice, on which…

Increasingly, elementary classroom teachers are being called to teach a myriad of subjects, including visual art, dance, and music. Preservice teachers must be prepared to teach and integrate multiple subjects. To that end, preservice teachers will need experiences in their preparation that help them to see connections across content areas and…