Supporting Mathematical Thinking through Formative Assessment

Teachers in Alberta use a range of instructional strategies to help students become confident and capable mathematicians. While students are expected to develop fluency with calculations, they also benefit from opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of mathematics as they solve problems, reason, and explain their thinking. This broader focus is strengthened through the use of modern assessment practices. In this video series, you will see examples of how formative assessment can support student learning in mathematics classrooms.

These materials were originally developed by the Alberta Assessment Consortium through a grant from Alberta Education. The guides have been updated to reflect the 2022 Alberta mathematics curriculum. Since the Alberta Education grant funding ended in 2015, updates to the Math Discussion Guides have been supported through AAC membership funding and are now available in AAC Member Materials.