Solving a Number Story with Child 14

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.

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.

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.