Young Children Reinvent Arithmetic

In this fully revised second edition of the classic Young Children Reinvent Arithmetic, Constance Kamii describes and develops an innovative program of teaching arithmetic in the early elementary grades. Kamii bases her educational strategies on renowned constructivist Jean Piaget's scientific ideas of how children develop logico-mathematical thinking. Written in collaboration with a classroom teacher, and premised upon the conviction that children are capable of much more than teachers and parents generally realize, the book provides a rich theoretical foundation and a compelling explanation of educational goals and objectives. Kamii calls attention to the ways in which traditional textbook-based teaching can be harmful to children’s development of numerical reasoning, and uses extensive research and classroom-tested studies to illuminate the efficacy of the approach. This book is full of practical suggestions and developmentally appropriate activities that can be used to stimulate numerical thinking among students of varying abilities and learning styles, both within and outside of the classroom. “In this new edition of her important book, Connie Kamii demonstrates scholarship not just in what she has written, but in her willingness to incorporate new ideas and findings. Many people update their books; few assiduously revise them, confronting what they believe to be past errors or gaps in their thinking. Such intellectual honesty, along with consistent connections between theory and practice, make this book a solid contribution to mathematics education of young children.” —Douglas Clements, State University of New York at Buffalo “The development of young children’s logico-mathematical knowledge is at the heart of this text. Similar to the first edition, this revision provides a rich theoretical foundation as well as child-centered activities and principles of teaching that support problem solving, communicating, reasoning, making connections, and representing mathematical ideas. In this great resource for preservice and in-service elementary teachers, Professor Kamii continues to help us understand the implications of Piagetian theory.” —Frances R. Curcio, New York University

Responding to their recent research on how children learn mathematics, the authors have revised this bestselling textbook to provide practical advice on what works and what should be avoided when teaching second graders. Features important revisions to their groundbreaking program, including the harmful effects of teaching "carrying' and "borrowing".

As in previous volumes, Kamii uses Piaget's groundbreaking work in constructivism as well as her own years of research in classrooms to closely observe what third grade children actually do when solving problems of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Her work translates Piaget's theory into a concrete programme that encourages children to use maths in real ways that stimulate them to reinvent arithmetic. She also challenges quick-fix theories of educational reform, replacing these with one that revolutionises our understanding of how human beings acquire knowledge, and thus drastically changing what we think schools should try to do. Educators have long been trying to transmit knowledge to children from the outside. What reform needs is a focus inside the child to maximise the process of construction from within.

Demonstrates how the teacher can use Piaget's theory to teach elementary number in a practical way. Includes activities and games that can stimulate children's numerical thinking.

This classic bestseller, now updated for today's diverse teaching force and student populations, explores the benefits of sociomoral practices in the classroom. The authors draw on recent research to show how these approaches work with children ages 2–8. They focus on how to establish and maintain a classroom environment that fosters children's intellectual, social, moral, emotional, and personality development. Extending the work of Jean Piaget, the authors advocate for a cooperative approach that contrasts with the coercion and unnecessary control that can be seen in many classrooms serving young children. Practical chapters demonstrate how the constructivist approach can be embedded in a school program by focusing on specific classroom situations and activities, such as resolving conflict, group time, rule making, decision making and voting, social and moral discussions, cooperative alternatives to discipline, and activity time.

"Kids love to move. But how do we harness all that kinetic energy effectively for math learning? In Math on the Move, Malke Rosenfeld shows how pairing math concepts and whole body movement creates opportunities for students to make sense of math in entirely new ways. Malke shares her experience creating dynamic learning environments by: exploring the use of the body as a thinking tool, highlighting mathematical ideas that are usefully explored with a moving body, providing a range of entry points for learning to facilitate a moving math classroom. ..."--Publisher description.

Although recent research on children's numerical thinking has much to say to teachers, little attempt has been made to communicate it directly to them. This book attempts to build a bridge between theory, research, and classroom practice with the aim of supporting informed change in the schools. The ultimate goal is to promote children's numerical thinking and to ensure their survival in a rapidly changing world.