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English Learners in the Mathematics Classroom - Book Cover

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Updated Edition of Bestseller

English Learners in the Mathematics Classroom

Second Edition
By: Debra Coggins

Foreword by Miriam A. Leiva

Now in its second edition, this trusted resource connects math instruction techniques for English learners directly to Common Core, while supporting language acquisition.

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Product Details

Grade Level: PreK-12
ISBN: 9781483331782
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2014
Page Count: 160
Publication date: September 15, 2014

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Description

Research-based strategies to reach English learners – now aligned with the Common Core!

Instead of just watching your English learners struggle, ensure that they develop high-level math skills and gain greater fluency in English. Debra Coggins’ bestselling book has helped many teachers achieve these intertwined goals by offering strategies that support mathematics learning along with language acquisition for English Learners. Now in its second edition, English Learners in the Mathematics Classroom addresses Common Core requirements, enabling your students to build 21st century skills that will serve them well into the future.

Through this trusted resource, you’ll develop specialized teaching strategies that can be adapted across grade levels for students at all stages of English language acquisition. You’ll discover

Mathematics lesson scenarios in every chapter, directly connected to the Common Core Standards and the Standards for Mathematical Practice
Instructional approaches that promote participation, hands-on learning, and true comprehension of mathematics concepts that benefit all students
Sample lessons, visuals, and essential vocabulary that connect mathematical concepts with language development

Whether you are rediscovering this book or picking it up for the first time, you’ll find standards-based strategies that will enable your English learners to enjoy and master mathematics.

“The ideas and strategies in this book, supported by research and field experiences, will benefit ALL students because they are addressing learning challenges that are common for many learners."
Trudy Mitchell, Middle School Math Consultant
San Diego, CA

"This is by far the best book on designing mathematics instruction for English learners. The short but thorough research reviewed in each chapter gives background for why the teaching tips are so important in developing mathematically literate students."
Dan Battey, Associate Professor
Rutgers University

Key features

Each chapter’s lesson scenario and chapter questions are newly written or adapted to address Common Core State Standards and a specific Standard for Mathematical Practice. Lesson scenarios illustrate a variety of ways of supporting ELLs’ comprehension and English language development.
The instructional aspects of the lesson scenarios that span from primary to middle school classroom settings are intended to be generalizable across many grades and to be sources of discussion among educators. The scenarios demonstrate a variety of ways in which classroom teachers might provide mathematics instruction that addresses CCSSs and Standards of Mathematical Practice
Each chapter’s commentary on the mathematics teaching example, along with targeted chapter questions, provides opportunities for educators to contemplate, discuss, and envision helping all students, but particularly ELLS, work towards proficiency with the Standards for Mathematical Practice and the CCSS
Each chapter’s discussion of research and teaching tips serve as a “tool” for educators to understand, discuss, and visualize their own highly effective standards-aligned mathematics teaching of all students, including ELLs

Author(s)

Debra Coggins

Debra Coggins is a mathematics education consultant with experience advising districts, coaching teachers, and developing and delivering professional development. As a writer, she has helped develop a number of professional development programs for teachers of mathematics. These include creating CORE Math: Building Strong Foundations, assisting with the development of the Math Case Methods Project and Math Pathways and Pitfalls at WestEd, and coordinating the writing of America’s Choice Core Assignments. She was the lead writer of A Mathematics Source Book for Elementary and Middle School Teachers: Key Concepts, Teaching Tips, and Learning Pitfalls, a resource book for teachers and professional developers. Debra has presented at local, state, and national conferences, with a particular interest in strategies for supporting English learners, and the use of diagrams when teaching concepts related to operations and proportional reasoning. Debra currently assists the West Contra Costa Unified School District with mathematics intervention programs and Oakland Unified School District small schools with teaching strategies for reaching English learners in mathematics classes. Debra has 17 years teaching experience in grades K-12.

Table of Contents

Preface

Foreword by Miriam A. Leiva

Introduction

1. Developing Conversational Language: Help English Learners

Talk-to-Learn During Mathematics Lessons

Rationale From Research

Mathematics Teaching Example: Sorting Shapes (Geometric Attributes)

Discussion of the Mathematics Teaching Example

Teaching Tips

Discussion of Conversational Language

Conversational Language Research

2. Developing Academic Language: Develop Mathematics Concepts and Vocabulary for English Learners

Rationale From Research

Mathematics Teaching Example: Number Riddles (Addition and Subtraction Word Problems)

Discussion of the Mathematics Teaching Example

Teaching Tips

Discussion of Academic Language Development

Academic Language Research

Discussion and Project Questions

3. Scaffolding: Give Support for Both Mathematics and Language Learning

Rationale From Research

Mathematics Teaching Example: Table Arrangement Problem

Discussion of the Mathematics Teaching Example

Teaching Tips

Discussion of Scaffolding in Mathematics

Scaffolding Research

Discussion and Project Questions

4. The Role of Concrete Materials: Utilize Objects to Develop Mathematical Understanding for English Learners

Rationale From Research

Mathematics Teaching Example: District Benchmark (Multiply By a Fraction)

Discussion of Mathematics Teaching Example

Teaching Tips

Discussion of Concrete Materials in Mathematics

Concrete Materials Research

Discussion and Project Questions

5. Visual Learning: Provide Mathematical and Organizational Representations As a Regular Component of Instruction

Rationale From Research

Mathematics Teaching Example: How Many Chairs? (Two-Digit Multiplication)

Discussion of Mathematics Teaching Example

Teaching Tips

Visual Learning Research

Discussion and Project Questions

6. Questioning Strategies: Ask Questions to Foster Students' Learning of Mathematics and English

Rationale From Research

Mathematics Teaching Example: Snail Races (Probability)

Discussion of Mathematics Teaching Example

Teaching Tips

Discussion of Questioning Strategies in Mathematics

Questioning in Mathematics Research

Discussion and Project Questions

7. Comprehensible Input: Combine Many Strategies to Develop Mathematics Concepts Through Clear and Effective Instruction

Rationale From Research

Mathematics Teaching Example: Similar Shapes, Multiplicative Scaling, and Proportion

Discussion of Mathematics Teaching Example

Teaching Tips

Discussion of Comprehensible Input in Mathematics

Comprehensible Input Research

Discussion and Project Questions

Appendix

A 1.1 Geometric Shapes

A 3.1 Blank Planning Map

A 3.2 Sample Planning Map

A 6.1 Gameboard for Snail Races

A 6.2 Questions List

References

Reviews

"This book provides an updated and integrated look at math instruction with specific lessons and examples so that teachers can use it in their professional development settings."

Maria Dufek, Educational Consultant
MBD Educational Consulting Inc, Boulder City, NV

"This book addresses common issues and challenges classroom teachers face as they deal with diverse groups of students, including English Language Learners. The ideas and strategies, supported by research and field experiences, will benefit ALL students because they are addressing learning challenges that are common for many learners."

Trudy Mitchell, Middle School Math Consultant
San Diego, CA

"This is by far the best book on designing mathematics instruction for English Language Learners. I particularly like how the teaching tips do not dumb down or oversimplify instructional strategies for teachers. The short but thorough research reviewed in each chapter gives background for why the teaching tips are so important in developing mathematically literate students."

Dan Battey, Associate Professor
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Other Titles in: Mathematics | Bilingual/ELL Learners

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