A student s ability to effectively move between verbal instruction and visual representations in math depends upon skills in attention and spatial abilities. Students must be able to sustain focus on details, shift between words and pictures, and interpret and organize spatial relationships by linking new instruction to existing knowledge. Students also use mental images when solving mathematical problems. During problem solving, students must actively create visual images in their minds to represent the components of the problem. Here are some strategies to help students develop their use of mental imagery in problem solving.
Helpful Hints Have students draw pictures to represent what is going on in a word problem.
For example, have students calculate the distances of trips taken by students in the class, then display this information in a graph or table format. Involve students in making predictions in situations where visualization can aid problem solving. For example, provide students with a variety of shapes made from connected squares, some of which can be folded to form an open box. Ask students to find the shapes which will make an open box. Students will need to visualize the anticipated results in order to solve the problem.