Shying Away from Questioning: Discourse and Participation in Mathematics Classrooms

Classroom discourse is a well researched instructional practice that has yet to be incorporated into many mathematics classrooms across the United States. Research has shown that "78% of mathematical content is taught without discourse activities or incentives" (Forrest, 2008, p. 23). My goal for this self-study was to investigate my questioning and discourse practices as well as the role of students' participation in discourse in relation to their mathematical understanding. I conducted research in One geometry and two algebra I classes which consisted of approximately fifty five students from a local high school. Through several surveys, video-taped lessons, and various exit slips, I found trends on discourse techniques, student comfort, and overall academic comprehension. Students' understanding was strengthened by discourse activities that were carried out in a classroom environment in which students felt comfortable conjecturing and explaining ideas.