Ms Rahman teaches a Year 5 mathematics class of nine- and ten-year-olds. Before starting a sequence of lessons on equations, she asks pupils to represent missing numbers using cubes. The pupils can make 3 + 4 = 7 with cubes, but several cannot work out 3 + □ = 7 when it is written on paper. Ms Rahman has cubes and two-pan balances available. She wants pupils to understand why removing the same number of cubes from both balanced pans leaves the pans balanced before she introduces equations that use a letter.
Describe how Ms Rahman could apply Piaget's ideas of readiness and active learning to this sequence of lessons. Refer to the pupils' responses and the available equipment in your answer.
27 exam-style questions on OCR GCSE Psychology 2.3 Application: The changing role of education, covering 2.3.1 Applying Piaget's ideas to education and 2.3.2 Applying learning theories to education. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.