Mathematics: A Hidden Secret or a

Well Known Trial?

Analysis of text using the 4C’s Strategy of
Making Thinking Visible
Read The Following:

As a boy in the first weeks of algebra class, I felt confused and then
I went sort of numb. Adolescents order the world from fragments
of information. In its way, adolescence is a kind of algebra. The
unknowns can be determined but doing so requires a special
aptitude, not to mention a comfort with having things withheld.
Straightforward, logical thinking is required, and a willingness to
follow rules, which aren’t evenly distributed adolescent
capabilities.

- Alex Wilkinson, Math Is the Great Secret, NYT

The 4C’s

Connections: What connections do you draw Challenge: What ideas, positions, or

between the text and your own life or your other assumptions do you want to challenge or argue
learning? with in the text?

Concepts: What key concepts or ideas do you Changes: What changes in attitudes, thinking,
think are important and worth holding on to or action are suggested by the text, either for
from the text? you or others?
What content can you
engage the 4C’s with?

What content should you?

Let’s do it again!

Connections Challenges Concepts Changes

Let’s do it again!
“As a boy in the first weeks of algebra class, I
felt confused and then I went sort of numb.
Adolescents order the world from fragments
of information. In its way, adolescence is a
kind of algebra. The unknowns can be
determined but doing so requires a special
aptitude, not to mention a comfort with
having things withheld. Straightforward,
logical thinking is required, and a willingness
to follow rules, which aren’t evenly
distributed adolescent capabilities.”
- Alex Wilkinson, Math Is the Great Secret, NYT
1) Connections: What connections do you
draw between the text and your own life or
your other learning?
2) Challenge: What ideas, positions, or
assumptions do you want to challenge or
argue with in the text?
3) Concepts: What key concepts or ideas do
you think are important and worth holding
on to from the text?
4) Changes: What changes in attitudes,
thinking, or action are suggested by the
text, either for you or others?