Children\'s Mathematics

important because of the value placed on child-initiated learning. The actual physi-

cal environment is less important in a purely direct instruction model of learning:

in this the teacher with the knowledge is ‘telling’ it to the child. The environment

is vital in a balanced learning setting because the emphasis has moved away from

the teacher as sole giver of knowledge. The child has time within this environment

to choose and notice the mathematics around her and uses that mathematics to

make meaning in ‘child sense’ ways.

Figure 8.5The garden centre – telephone message and orders for seeds

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