Four Ways to Encourage Sensemaking in Math: A Guide for TK–12 California Educators

The white paper emphasizes strategies to help students develop mathematical sensemaking skills. It challenges the misconception that math is solely about quickly finding numerical answers and highlights the importance of curiosity, noticing, and wondering in problem-solving. The paper discusses approaches such as removing direct questions to focus on scenarios, encouraging students to notice and wonder, asking about ideas rather than answers, and prompting students to create their own questions based on given scenarios. These strategies aim to foster deeper understanding and equitable participation in math classrooms. The paper aligns with the 2023 California Mathematics Framework, which advocates for active learning experiences that connect the "why," "how," and "what" of mathematics. It emphasizes authentic contexts, such as puzzles, patterns, and real-world scenarios, to provoke curiosity and support meaningful learning.