Support+and+Refute

The Support or Refute tool is designed to slow down students’ thinking. A Support or Refute lesson begins with the students reviewing a set of four to eight statements about a problem. After reviewing the statements carefully, students decide whether they agree or disagree with each statement. Then, during the lesson, students collect evidence that supports or refutes each statement. Steps
 * 1) Generate four to eight statements about a lesson, word problem, or mathematical situation or representation.
 * 2) Ask students to review the statements carefully and decide whether they agree or disagree with each one.
 * 3) As students learn more, ask them to collect evidence that supports or refutes each statement.
 * 4) After students have collected evidence for all statements, have them share and compare their findings in small groups.
 * 5) Engage the class in a discussion of the content, as well as how their initial thoughts about each statement were challenged or confirmed.