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Succeeding at Teaching Mathematics, K-6

By: Julie Sliva Spitzer, Cheryl D. Roddick

Practical support for mathematics instruction—putting it all together, from standards-based instruction to assessment!

This invaluable resource helps beginning educators focus on the big ideas in teaching mathematics, promote positive student engagement, and use a variety of methods to assess student understanding. Teachers will find classroom vignettes, examples of standards-based activities, an overview of NCTM standards, and strategies for instructing and assessing diverse populations. The authors discuss how to:

Develop a philosophy for teaching mathematics
Design a mathematics curriculum that makes connections within mathematics and across content areas
Differentiate instructional strategies
Engage students instead of managing them

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Product Details

Grade Level: K-6
ISBN: 9781412927659
Published By: Corwin
Year: 2007
Page Count: 136
Publication date: March 10, 2014

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Description

"I wish I'd had this book when I began teaching years ago."
—Beth Peters, Mathematics Education Consultant

"An excellent, concise book for novice mathematics teachers, with good ideas for experienced teachers as well."
—Colleen Martin, Fifth-Grade Teacher
Wilder Waite Grade School, Peoria, IL

Practical support for mathematics instruction—putting it all together, from standards-based instruction to assessment!

Meeting the requirements of teaching mathematics in the current era of accountability can be challenging for any new teacher. Succeeding at Teaching Mathematics, K–6 helps beginning educators focus on the big ideas in teaching mathematics, promote positive engagement in the classroom through practical strategies, and use a variety of methods to assess student understanding.

Teachers will find classroom vignettes that encourage thought-provoking discussions, examples of standards-based activities, and an overview of NCTM content and process standards. Particular attention is given to instructing and assessing English Language Learners, as well as special needs and gifted populations. The authors answer the most pressing questions for novice teachers of mathematics, including how to:

Develop a philosophy for teaching mathematics
Design a mathematics curriculum that makes connections within mathematics and across content areas
Differentiate instructional strategies
Engage students instead of managing them

This invaluable resource provides the ideal support and guidance to help new teachers get off to a great start!

Key features

This thorough handbook:

Illustrates how to get off to a great start teaching math
Offers a wealth of tips charts and guidelines
Shows how to use games to encourage and motivate math learning
Provides sample letters home and tips for website communication with parents
Presents clear explanations of standards, assessment, and math testing data analysis
Shows how to differentiate lessons
Demonstrates what to do for gifted and special needs

Author(s)

Julie Sliva Spitzer

Julie Sliva Spitzer brings a rich background in mathematics, technology, and special education. As an associate professor of mathematics education at San Jose State University, she teaches methods of mathematics instruction to aspiring educators and supervises their field experiences. Julie continues to enjoy inservice work with teachers Grades K–12. Julie’s research interests include studying teacher and student attitudes toward teaching and learning mathematics, and best practices for teaching mathematics to learners with special needs. She is a frequent presenter at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meetings, the California Mathematics Annual Conference, and the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, North American Chapter.

Cheryl D. Roddick

Cheryl D. Roddick is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics at San José State University. She currently teaches mathematics and mathematics methods courses to students in K-12 education. She also supervises field experiences for student teachers at the secondary level.

Roddick’s research interests include the conceptual understanding of fractions and teacher change relative to teaching mathematics. She has presented her research in local as well as national mathematics education conferences. She also facilitates K-12 inservice activities with teachers in local school districts.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Introduction

1. A Glimpse at Mathematics Instruction

Two Illustrations

Success in Teaching Mathematics

Summary

2. Standards-Based Teaching

Why Do We Need Standards for Teaching Mathematics?

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Principles and Standards

State and District Standards for Teaching Mathematics

The Relationship Between Standards and Standards-Based Mathematics Textbooks

NCTM Curriculum Focal Points

Examples of Standards-Based Activities Involving Algebraic Thinking

Summary

3. Engaging Students in Learning Mathematics

What Is Engagement?

Engaging Learners in the Affective Domain

Affective Issues Related to Teaching and Learning Mathematics

Students Engaged in Learning Probability

Summary

4. Engagement Strategies for Special Populations

The Special Needs Learner

The Gifted Learner

The English Language Learner

Example of Engaging Learners in a Mathematics Classroom

Summary

5. Assessment

Developing Assessments: The Use of Backward Design

Types of Assessment

Rubrics

Grading and Assessment Schemes

Practical Ways of Assessing Throughout the Instructional Process

Tailoring Assessments for Special Populations

Data-Driven Instructional Practices

A Word About Standardized Tests

Summary

6. Putting It All Together

The Year at a Glance: Designing Your Curriculum

Making Connections Within Mathematics

Making Connections Across the Curriculum

Mathematical Connections Across Grades

Succeeding at Teaching Mathematics?and Loving It!

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

References

Index

Create a Positive Classroom Culture

Algebraic Thinking Example Grades 1 and 2: Bigger and Bigger Blocks

Increase Opportunities for Communication and Participation

Differentiate Instructional Strategies

The Five Process Standards

Know Your Learner

Create a Positive Classroom Culture

Increase Opportunities for Communication and Participation

Differentiate Instructional Strategies

Possible Pitfalls

The Five Content Standards

Know Your Learner

Create a Positive Classroom Culture

Increase Opportunities for Communication and Participation

Differentiate Instructional Strategies

Content and Process Standards

Tesselations and Geometry

Discussion

Algebraic Thinking Example Grades 3 - 5: Time for a Party

NCTM Standards Addressed

Overview of Lessons

Algebraic Thinking Example Kindergarten: Day and Night

Stages of Backward Design

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences

Grade Two Vignette: Subtraction with Regrouping

Unit Tests and Quizzes

Open-ended Questions

Projects

Portfolios

Journals

Observation and Questioning

Discussion

Grade Four Vignette: Developing the Concept of Fractions

Discussion

Principles

Word About Technology

Using WWW Pages for Teaching Mathematics

Content Standards

Process Standards

A Description of Glasser’s Five Basic Needs

A Fresh Look at the Math Games

Getting to Know your Students

Engaging Learners in the Affective Domain

Engaging Learners in the Behavioral Domain

Grade Two Multiplication

Engaging Learners in the Cognitive Domain

Mathematics within Art

Problem Solving

Know Your Learner

Mathematics in Language Arts

Participation by All

Mathematics within Science

Utilize Multiple Representations

Mathematics within the Social Sciences

Reviews

"I wish I'd had this book when I began teaching years ago."

Beth Peters, Mathematics Education Consultant

"An excellent, concise book for novice mathematics teachers, with good ideas for experienced teachers as well."

Colleen Martin, Fifth-Grade Teacher
Wilder Waite Grade School, Peoria, IL

"Helps new educators handle classroom math challenges through examples of effective teaching methods for math."

The Bookwatch, June 2008
Midwest Book Review

Other Titles in: Mathematics | Elementary Teaching Methods

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Review Copies

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