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Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI)

 

Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) is research that is based on over 30 years of questioning how students think about math. It is not a one size fits all math program. A CGI approach to math allows teachers to better understand the common core state standards and how to meet their rigorous demands. CGI supports teachers in planning purposeful problems that allow students to develop a deeper conceptual and procedural understanding of math; this leads students to develop meaningful problem solving strategies that become more sophisticated over time.

Students, in CGI classrooms, are allowed to solve problems in ways that make sense to them and as a result of this, they can reason about math, explain their thinking both orally and through written work, and make connections to more complex and formal strategies. Students gain more confidence and persevere because they see that math makes sense and that they are capable  and competent problem solvers!