'Nick Pratt's book looks in detail at the real meaning of teaching mathematics interactively in primary schools. Each section is set clearly within a context, is linked by 'key ideas' -- the important bits to think about -- and is summarised to give a succinct close to the chapter's content and thinking. It is a book that the reader will definitely find useful and thought provoking. It certainly made me consider how small changes and a wider variety of approaches in the classroom can make big changes in children's learning and understanding of mathematical concepts' - Mike Eatwell, Primary Maths Advisor, Bristol LEA Using a whole-class, interactive approach to teaching mathematics is a key feature of the National Numeracy Strategy (NNS), and this book looks at not only what works but also why things work. Teachers will be able to understand why and how the various teaching strategies they are using in their classrooms have a positive effect on children's learning. The book covers: " how to engage in meaningful reflective practice that will improve your lessons " how to use whiteboards " making mathematical meaning through talk " getting the whole class interacting " thinking, talking and acting mathematically " teaching number - starting points " teaching shape and space - starting points " developing your interactive teaching " a glossary of terms It is aimed at both practising and trainee teachers, and offers clear subject guidance as well as an explanation of a key part of the NNS. It supports both individuals and mathematics subject leaders delivering INSET to their colleagues.
Recharge your math instruction with brain-friendly teaching units! Students' brains are wired to make them natural, curious learners. The mathematical world around them offers a vast classroom, filled with shapes, spaces, quantities, and experiences to discover and explore, all leading to the construction of understanding. Teachers can use this natural curiosity to tap the inborn neural mechanisms that motivate students to learn-to make relevance and meaning of their surroundings. Brain-Compatible Mathematics, Second Edition bridges the findings from the realms of brain research and improved mathematics instruction through updated teaching samples, connections to the most recent standards, newest research findings, and integration to other content areas. Each brain is different, and when teachers teach problem-solving skills to help students arrive at their own solution paths, students go beyond mere memorization of facts and algorithms to being an actual participant in the development of mathematical understanding. In an informative and relevant approach, Diane Ronis presents teachers and math leaders with an emphasis on thinking, mathematical representation, and construction of ideas and an abundance of: Sample lessons, units, and strategies linked to 2000 NCTM standards Brain-friendly strategies for math teaching that meet NCLB requirements How-to guides for creating more brain-tuned math teaching Ideas for incorporating technology into the math curriculum Planning templates for immediate use By integrating math learning into real-world applications, students can actively practice what they learn, make meaning out of their everyday experiences, and think mathematically for success within today's information age.
Recharge your math instruction with brain-friendly teaching units! Students' brains are wired to make them natural, curious learners. The mathematical world around them offers a vast classroom, filled with shapes, spaces, quantities, and experiences to discover and explore, all leading to the construction of understanding. Teachers can use this natural curiosity to tap the inborn neural mechanisms that motivate students to learn-to make relevance and meaning of their surroundings. Brain-Compatible Mathematics, Second Edition bridges the findings from the realms of brain research and improved mathematics instruction through updated teaching samples, connections to the most recent standards, newest research findings, and integration to other content areas. Each brain is different, and when teachers teach problem-solving skills to help students arrive at their own solution paths, students go beyond mere memorization of facts and algorithms to being an actual participant in the development of mathematical understanding. In an informative and relevant approach, Diane Ronis presents teachers and math leaders with an emphasis on thinking, mathematical representation, and construction of ideas and an abundance of: Sample lessons, units, and strategies linked to 2000 NCTM standards Brain-friendly strategies for math teaching that meet NCLB requirements How-to guides for creating more brain-tuned math teaching Ideas for incorporating technology into the math curriculum Planning templates for immediate use By integrating math learning into real-world applications, students can actively practice what they learn, make meaning out of their everyday experiences, and think mathematically for success within today's information age.
47 Research-Based Strategies for the Standards-Based Classroom
"The book is very easy to follow, with practical, research-based strategies for the teacher to use. It also provides insight to better remediate students who are struggling." -Allen Stevens, Math/Science Teacher Mooresville Middle School, NC "The 'Precautions and Pitfalls' section is such a welcome feature! This is a powerful book for beginning teachers or seasoned teachers who want to improve their practice to ensure student learning." -Rhonda Naylor, Math Teacher/Coordinator Campus Middle School, Englewood, CO "The research and vignettes that follow each strategy clearly support why the strategy is important and how it can be effective." -Trish Guinee, Mathematics Coordinator Peoria Public Schools, IL Facilitate learning in PreK-5 mathematics and maximize student achievement with research-based teaching strategies! This easy-to-navigate guide offers research-based teaching strategies for introducing prekindergarten and elementary school students to the content and skills recommended by the NCTM principles and standards for mathematics. Using the popular format of the What Successful Teachers Do books, the authors present 47 dynamic learning activities, each including: A concise statement of the teaching strategy Research-based validations for the strategy How the strategy aligns with NCTM standards Grade-specific classroom applications and vignettes Precautions and possible pitfalls Primary sources for further reading This insightful resource allows teachers to increase students' confidence in math-and their enthusiasm-with practical and engaging activities, while responding effectively to NCTM standards.
47 Research-Based Strategies for the Standards-Based Classroom
"The book is very easy to follow, with practical, research-based strategies for the teacher to use. It also provides insight to better remediate students who are struggling." -Allen Stevens, Math/Science Teacher Mooresville Middle School, NC "The 'Precautions and Pitfalls' section is such a welcome feature! This is a powerful book for beginning teachers or seasoned teachers who want to improve their practice to ensure student learning." -Rhonda Naylor, Math Teacher/Coordinator Campus Middle School, Englewood, CO "The research and vignettes that follow each strategy clearly support why the strategy is important and how it can be effective." -Trish Guinee, Mathematics Coordinator Peoria Public Schools, IL Facilitate learning in PreK-5 mathematics and maximize student achievement with research-based teaching strategies! This easy-to-navigate guide offers research-based teaching strategies for introducing prekindergarten and elementary school students to the content and skills recommended by the NCTM principles and standards for mathematics. Using the popular format of the What Successful Teachers Do books, the authors present 47 dynamic learning activities, each including: A concise statement of the teaching strategy Research-based validations for the strategy How the strategy aligns with NCTM standards Grade-specific classroom applications and vignettes Precautions and possible pitfalls Primary sources for further reading This insightful resource allows teachers to increase students' confidence in math-and their enthusiasm-with practical and engaging activities, while responding effectively to NCTM standards.
The book lets teachers identify where their students are in terms of number skills, and sets out a strategy for developing their knowledge. The authors show how to advance children's learning across five stages of early arithmetical learning - emergent, perceptual, figurative, initial number, and facile number. This provides for increasingly sophisticated number strategies across addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, as well as developing children's number word and numeral knowledge, and their ability to structure number and have grouping strategies. The approach used nine guiding principles for teaching. Each chapter has clearly defined teaching procedures which show how to take the children onto the next more sophisticated stage. The teaching procedures are organized into key teaching topics, and each includes: a clearly defined purpose detailed instructions, activities, learning tasks and reinforcing games lists of responses which children may make application in whole class, small group and individualised settings a link to the Learning Framework in Number (see Early Numeracy- second edition, 2005) how the guiding principles for teaching can be used to allow teachers to evaluate and reflect upon their practice Primary practitioners in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada have tested the teaching procedures which can be used in conjunction with each country's numeracy strategy. Primary teachers, especially of the early years, mathematics co-ordinators, heads of school, mathematics advisers, special educationalists, learning support personnel, teacher assistants, lecturers in initial teacher training and educational psychologists will all find this book invaluable.
"The strategies in Write for Mathematics helped my math students to not only write about mathematics but also to think about mathematics." -Lynda Ann DeLuca, Teacher and Math Coach Ann G. McGuinness Intermediate School, Endicott, NY "The integration of writing and mathematics is powerful instruction. This book provides ready-to-use strategies that will result in effective math instruction, and, more importantly, students will enjoy math class again. This is an outstanding resource." -Natalie R. Scavone, New Visions Teacher Education Preparation Instructor Cayuga-Onondaga Board of Cooperative Educational Services, NY Foster mathematical thinking and understanding by incorporating writing into your math instruction Research shows that engaging students in writing about mathematics can improve a learner's overall math understanding. Addressing NCTM standards, Write for Mathematics, Second Edition, offers a wide range of practical writing strategies that can be used with students to deepen their understanding of key mathematical concepts. The process of incorporating writing into mathematics instruction need not seem daunting. This step-by-step handbook provides: Ten specific writing strategies that foster mathematical thinking and understanding Clear directions for using each strategy with students Application of the strategies to target NCTM standards A wide variety of examples at all levels Strategies that can be used with any mathematics curriculum A generous collection of reproducibles Students who write about mathematics develop deeper understandings, show increased interest in math, and reach higher achievement levels! Write for Mathematics, Second Edition, is an important resource for teachers who want to reach these goals.
Research shows that engaging students in writing about mathematics can improve a learner's overall math understanding. Addressing NCTM standards, Write for Mathematics, Second Edition, offers a wide range of practical writing strategies that can be used with students to deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts and theories. The process of incorporating writing into mathematics instruction need not seem daunting. This step-by-step handbook provides: Ten specific writing strategies that foster mathematical thinking and understanding Clear directions for using each strategy with students Application of the strategies to target NCTM standards A wide variety of examples at all levels Strategies that can be used with any mathematics curriculum A generous collection of reproducibles
Using Real-World Applications With Middle School Students
'Making Math Connections integrates mathematics into a variety of subject areas and real-life settings, providing motivation for students to want to learn the material being presented. The book also uses a variety of activities to promote learning for students with different interests and learning styles' - Steven P. Isaak, Mathematics Teacher, Advanced Technologies Academy, Las Vegas, NV 'I'm looking forward to finding ways of using these resources in my lessons and can only recommend you read it too' - Peter Hall, Imberhorne School, East Grinstead Students often fail to make the connection between "school maths" and their everyday lives, becoming passive recipients of isolated, memorized rules and formulas. This remarkable new resource will help students become active problem-solvers who see mathematics as a meaningful tool that can be used outside the classroom. Hope Martin applies more than 40 years of teaching experience to developing a myriad of high-interest, meaningful maths investigations. Using a teacher-friendly format, she shows educators how to integrate into the maths curriculum engaging, everyday topics, such as forensics, natural disasters, tessellations, the stock market, and literature. This project-based resource encourages cooperative, interactive learning experiences that not only help students make connections between various math skills but also make important connections to the real world. These mathematical applications are broken down into complete units focusing on different topics. Each chapter includes: / Background information on the topic / Step-by-step procedures for maths investigations / Assessment strategies / Journal questions / Photocopiable worksheets / Additional related readings and Internet Web sites By increasing their awareness of meaningful everyday applications, students will learn to use maths as an essential tool in their daily lives.