Teacher Knowledge And Practice In Middle Grades Mathematics

This book presents a coherent collection of research studies on teacher knowledge and its relation to instruction and learning in middle-grades mathematics. The authors provide comprehensive literature reviews on specific components of mathematics knowledge for teaching that have been found to be important for effective instruction.

In September 1998, the Math Science Education Board National held a Convocation on Middle Grades Mathematics that was co-sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Middle School Association, and the American Educational Research Association. The Convocation was structured to present the teaching of middle school mathematics from two points of view: teaching mathematics with a focus on the subject matter content or teaching mathematics with a focus on the whole child and whole curriculum. This book discusses the challenges before the nation's mathematical sciences community to focus its energy on the improvement of middle grades mathematics education and to begin an ongoing national dialogue on middle grades mathematics education.

The outcome of a two-year investigation, this book shows how teachers' understanding of the mathematics of number, quantity, and proportion influences how they teach and what their students learn of the concepts, skills, and reasoning associated with this mathematical domain of knowledge. It grew out of the recognition of the need to understand the complexities of helping teachers reconceptualize the mathematics they teach and the resulting effects in their classrooms. The book includes case studies of five teachers, from different types of school settings, illustrating changes in the teachers' teaching methods, expectations of students, and beliefs about the role of professional development.

Teaching Mathematics in grades 6-12 by Randall E. Groth is a core methods text that introduces students to the vibrant and intriguing world of mathematics education. The author shows preservice mathematics teachers the value of being a "researcher"--constantly experimenting with methods for developing students' mathematical thinking--and connecting this research to practices that enhance students' understanding of the types of mathematical knowledge students bring to school and how students' thinking may develop in response to different teaching strategies.

This book is written primarily for middle grade teachers who are discovering that they now want to teach in ways that create positive mathematical learning environments and instigate rich classroom discourse. Many of these teachers are finding that their mathematical preparation did not address the complexities underlying the mathematics they now want to teach. In Part One, the authors provide a foundation for the mathematics of these grades, particularly the mathematics that grows out of concepts of number, quantity, and arithmetic operations. In Part Two, through three case studies, the authors demonstrate to teachers how a deeper understanding of the mathematics they teach can enhance classroom instruction. The book interweaves research and classroom practice. Mathematics teacher educators, researchers, curriculum developers, textbook authors, and supervisors of mathematics programs will find this book to be useful. Teachers, both prospective and practicing, will benefit most from this book when the chapters are used as catalysts for discussion in classes or professional development programs.

This is a methods book for preservice middle level majors and beginning middle school teachers. It takes a very practical approach to learning to teach middle school mathematics in an emerging Age of the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSSM) is not meant to be “the” official mathematics curriculum; it was purposefully developed primarily to provide clear learning expectations of mathematics content that are appropriate at every grade level and to help prepare all students to be ready for college and the workplace. A quick glance at the Table of Contents in this book indicates a serious engagement with the recommended mathematics underlying the Grade 5 through Grade 8 and (traditional pathway) Algebra I portions of the CCSSM first, with issues in content-practice assessment, learning, teaching, and classroom management pursued next and in that order. In this book we explore what it means to teach to the CCSSM within an alignment mindset involving content-practice learning, teaching, and assessment. The Common Core state content standards, which pertain to mathematical knowledge, skills, and applications, have been carefully crafted so that they are teachable, learnable, coherent, fewer, clearer, and higher. The practice standards, which refer to institutionally valued mathematical actions, processes, and habits, have been conceptualized in ways that will hopefully encourage all middle school students to engage with the content standards more deeply than merely acquiring mathematical knowledge by rote and imitation. Thus, in the CCSSM, proficiency in content alone is not sufficient, and so does practice without content, which is limited. Content and practice are both equally important and, thus, must come together in teaching, learning, and assessment in order to support authentic mathematical understanding. This blended multisourced text is a “getting smart” book. It prepares preservice middle level majors and beginning middle school teachers to work within the realities of accountable pedagogy and to develop a proactive disposition that is capable of supporting all middle school students in order for them to experience growth in mathematical understanding that is necessary for high school and beyond, including future careers.

Make formative assessment work for you—and your math students! Finally, formative assessment that adds up! Bringing Math Students Into the Formative Assessment Equation is the ultimate resource for helping teachers implement formative assessment in the middle school mathematics classroom. And it’s much more than that. With this research-based, teacher-tested guide, you won’t just learn effective teaching strategies—you’ll turn your students into self-regulated learners. They’ll monitor and assess their own progress—and communicate to you about it! Features include: A clear and manageable six-aspect instructional model Detailed strategies for helping students own their successes Real-life examples from middle school mathematics teachers Useful resources and a companion website to help you implement formative assessment in your classroom Formative assessment isn’t just for teachers anymore. With the help of this essential resource, you’ll work together with your students toward a common goal of math success. "This book is outstanding. I would recommend it to any math educator. The depth of research integrated into practice is extensive and, as a result, it is the most practical book I have come across related to formative assessment and mathematics The self-regulation aspects, as well as the ownership and involvement emphasized in the book, went beyond the traditional cognitive strategies endorsed in most books." Marc Simmons, Principal Ilwaco Middle School, Ocean Beach School District, Long Beach, WA "The ideas in this book are brought to life with examples of teachers and students in the classroom. The teacher voices, comments, and quotes lend credibility and are a big component of the book’s strengths as well as the visuals and graphics." Rita Tellez, Math Coordinator Ysleta Independent School District, El Paso, TX

Now is a time of great interest in mathematics education. Student performance, curriculum, and teacher education are the subjects of much scrutiny and debate. Studies on the mathematical knowledge of prospective and practicing U. S. teachers suggest ways to improve their mathematical educations. It is often assumed that because the topics covered in K-12 mathematics are so basic, they should be easy to teach. However, research in mathematics education has shown that to teach well,substantial mathematical understanding is necessary--even to teach whole-number arithmetic. Prospective teachers need a solid understanding of mathematics so that they can teach it as a coherent, reasoned activity and communicate its elegance and power. This volume gathers and reports current thinkingon curriculum and policy issues affecting the mathematical education of teachers. It considers two general themes: (1) the intellectual substance in school mathematics; and (2) the special nature of the mathematical knowledge needed for teaching. The underlying study was funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The mathematical knowledge needed for teaching is quite different from that required by students pursuing other mathematics-related professions. Material here is gearedtoward stimulating efforts on individual campuses to improve programs for prospective teachers. This report contains general recommendations for all grades and extensive discussions of the specific mathematical knowledge required for teaching elementary, middle, and high-school grades, respectively.It is also designed to marshal efforts in the mathematical sciences community to back important national initiatives to improve mathematics education and to expand professional development opportunities. The book will be an important resource for mathematics faculty and other parties involved in the mathematical education of teachers. Information for our distributors: This series is published in cooperation with the Mathematical Association of America.