In this one-on-one conversation, an English Language Learner in kindergarten explains his thinking while working through a number story about people getting on and off of the bus. He uses manipulatives throughout the problem to assist him. View more at earlymath.erikson.edu
While at first he has trouble reaching the solution, the adult adjusts the number story to fit his needs. With this adjustment, he is able to solve the problem and grasp the main concept at hand.
This activity fits with the Number and Operations in Base 10 domain of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice.
Focus on the Child videos are taken from one-on-one interviews with individual children. The interviews are designed to elicit evidence of children’s mathematical thinking. They are not teaching episodes or formal assessments.