Resources for unit 2

8.4. Working with pupils’ representations

Recognizing pupils’ representations is key to effective teaching in secondary schools, because it allows teachers to correct misconceptions, connect new knowledge to prior ideas, and design meaningful learning activities. Teachers can work with pupils’ representations by:

• Elicit prior knowledge through brainstorming, questioning, or diagnostic assessments.
• Visualize thinking using concept maps, drawings, or diagrams.
• Challenge misconceptions through guided inquiry, experiments, or real-life applications.
• Encourage metacognition by asking pupils to reflect on how their thinking has changed.
• Use formative assessment to track shifts in pupil understanding.