Iceberg Model

Using Representations to
Support Student Understanding

based upon research by David C. Webb

University of Colorado Boulder and the
Freudenthal Institute

Presentation by Deborah Carlson

UW-Stout Leadership for Math Specialists
course 2018
Icebreaker
When you were a student, what
was your favorite academic
subject in school?

Science
Math
Social Studies
Language Arts

Find your subject corner and

meet your group.

When you are in your group,

discuss why that subject was
your favorite.
 Researchers at the Freudenthal
Institute for Science and Math
Education developed the iceberg
model to support teacher thinking
about learning processes and tip of the iceberg
strategies used by students.

This model has proven to be a

powerful metaphor for illustrating
how students need to experience
a broad-range of mathematical
models to make sense of formal
mathematical representations -
the tip of the iceberg.

floating capacity

Webb 2016
Solves
problems in the Understanding
most efficient place value
manner.
David C. Webb
1.Form a group consisting of a member from each grade level.

2. Using the learning target assigned to your group, create an iceberg poster showing the
manipulatives and representations that students would need to know along the way to get to
the tip of the iceberg. Try to identify them as informal, pre-formal, and formal (or concrete,
representational, abstract).

3. Cut out pictures from catalogs, draw, add text, etc.

Primary teachers - you are probably the math manipulative gurus.

Let your knowledge shine!

Supplies available:

large Post-It chart paper markers

scissors glue sticks

school supply catalogs

Your own device and the printer

 Iceberg Groups Assignment
Glacier Growler
a mass of ice that originates on land, usually having an area
an iceberg less than 2 meters across
larger than one tenth of a square km.
5.1.1.1
Divide multi-digit numbers, using efficient and 4.1.1.3
generalizable procedures, based on knowledge of Multiply multi-digit numbers, using efficient and
place value, including standard algorithms. Recognize generalizable procedures
that quotients can be represented in a variety of ways,
including a whole number with a remainder, a fraction
or mixed number, or a decimal.

Bergy Bit Ice Shelf

large chunk of glacier ice portion of an ice sheet that spreads out over water

4.1.1.1
Demonstrate fluency with multiplication and division
5.1.2.4
facts. Recognize and generate equivalent decimals,
fractions, mixed numbers, and improper fractions in
various contexts.
You will have 30 minutes to create your poster. When the timer beeps we will
display the posters and have a gallery walk.
Resources
Webb, David C. and Nina Boswinkel, “Beneath the Tip of
the Iceberg.” Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School,
vol. 14 no.2, September 2008.

Webb, David C. “Designing Professional Development for

Assessment,” Educational Designer, 2009.

Minnesota Math Standards 2007

http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/dse/stds/Math/
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presentation.

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