Standards for Mathematical Practices Resource Spotlight

The Standards for Mathematical Practice describe ways in which developing student practitioners of mathematics should increasingly engage with the subject matter as they grow in mathematical maturity and expertise throughout the elementary, middle and high school years.   

The way students engage in mathematics is determined by the learning experiences in which they can participate. Thus, the design of those learning experiences (the questions asked, the strategies/representations used, the discussion embedded within the experience, etc.) all impact how students engage with the content. Educators might be able to engage students with the content using several (potentially even all) of the practices, but the intentional choices made throughout the lesson planning and facilitation will determine which practices the students actually engage in. 

As a supplement to the KAS for Mathematics, the Engaging the SMPs resource provides guidance on ways teachers can implement instruction to allow students to engage in the standards for mathematical practices. Engaging the SMPs resource includes Student Look-fors, Teacher Look-fors and potential Question Stems for each of the eight mathematical practices.