Collaborative inquiry-based instructional model to enhance mathematical analytical thinking and reasoning skills for fourth-grade students

Abstract

In contemporary society, students’ analytical thinking and reasoning skills are crucial for their future development. The fourth grade (ages 9-10) is a critical stage for cultivating higher-level cognitive skills in students. Mathematics plays a significant role during this period, serving as a fundamental tool for fostering students' analytical thinking and reasoning abilities. Collaborative inquiry-based learning is considered beneficial for enhancing students' analytical thinking and reasoning skills. Therefore, this study aims to design a collaborative inquiry-based instructional model based on the characteristics of mathematics textbooks. The study extensively analyzes primary school mathematics textbooks published by Beijing Normal University and integrates the essential elements of collaborative inquiry-based learning to devise an instructional model tailored to the characteristics of mathematics textbooks. The model comprises six parts: Contextual Introduction (Question 1), Collaborative Inquiry (Question 2), Communication and Sharing (First round), Collaborative Inquiry (Question 3), Communication and Sharing (Second round), Review and Conclusion. The model is designed to assist students in acquiring knowledge through collaborative inquiry, stimulate their curiosity through contextualized learning, improve their analytical thinking and reasoning skills through collaborative inquiry, foster cognitive development through effective communication and sharing, and ultimately solidify acquired knowledge through reflection and conclusion. Theoretically, the analysis suggests that this model may positively impact students’ analytical thinking and reasoning abilities, providing a valuable reference for practical teaching.