Paula Mildenhall & Barbara Sherriff
Recent research findings indicate that using multimodal learning experiences to teach students about different models can be an effective teaching approach. Using a social semiotic lens within a participationist framework, this paper reports on a professional learning collaboration with a primary school teacher designed to explore the use of different metaphors, models and modalities. This case study was conducted in a teacher’s Year 2 classroom over two terms, with the focus on one specific child’s journey towards understanding the part-part-whole relationship model. Video was the predominant research tool. The initial findings have shown that the teacher was able to use specific gestures and language to support the concrete model being used. This paper explores how the metaphors, models and modalities were intertwined in the classroom discourse