Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Elementary Math
Five to Thrive [series]
Corwin Mathematics Series
Let’s face it, teaching elementary math can be hard. So much about how we teach math today may look and feel different from how we learned it. Today, we recognize placing the student at the center of their learning increases engagement, motivation, and academic achievement soars. Teaching math in a student-centered way changes the role of the teacher from one who traditionally “delivers knowledge” to one who fosters thinking. Most importantly, we must ensure our practice gives each and every student the opportunity to learn, grow, and achieve at high levels, while providing opportunities to develop their agency and authority in the classroom which results in a positive math identity.
Whether you are a brand new teacher or a veteran, if you find teaching math to be quite the challenge, this is the guide you want by your side. Designed for just-in-time learning and support, this practical resource gives you brief, actionable answers to your most pressing questions about teaching elementary math. Written by four experienced math educators representing diverse experiences, these authors offer the practical advice they wish they received years ago, from lessons they've learned over decades of practice, research, coaching, and through collaborating with teams, teachers and colleagues—especially new teachers—every day.
Questions and answers are organized into five areas of effort that will help you most thrive in your elementary math classroom:
1. How do I build a positive math community?
2. How do I structure, organize, and manage my math class?
3. How do I engage my students in math?
4. How do I help my students talk about math?
5. How do I know what my students know and move them forward?
Woven throughout, you'll find helpful sidebar notes on fostering identity and agency; access and equity; teaching in different settings; and invaluable resources for deeper learning. The final question—Where do I go from here?— offers guidance for growing your practice over time. Strive to become the best math educator you can be; your students are counting on it! What will be your first step on the journey?
"A must-have for new teachers! This book could be called Everything I Should Have Learned in College About Teaching Math. Universities should use this in tandem with Van de Walle: easy to read and well organized to understand how to teach math versus what to teach. It includes countless tips, and the notes throughout about access, agency, and equity are invaluable"
"From the Introduction through Chapter 6, this easy-to-read book summarized what all elementary math teachers should know and do. The ideas and suggestions are doable in all of our classrooms. This book will be on my desk as a reference to read as well as share with the teachers I coach. Thank you for reminding this Year 30 teacher of many procedures, practices, and routines that I need to reinstate after the horrendous 2020–2021 School Year!"
"As a former teacher, and currently as a K–8 principal, I find this book to be an invaluable resource! The book is structured in such a systematic way that it allows the reader to start on page 1 or strategically turn to a chapter that will lend guidance to a specific question or need. The book is a must-read due to its practical application that is grounded in research. As a principal, this book also serves as a tool to assist me in giving valuable feedback to teachers."
"As a teacher who just completed her second-year teaching, I can attest that new teachers would benefit greatly from this book. This is an easy-to use answer guide to many questions regarding mathematics teaching principles including building community and engaging students in math talk. It is an invaluable resource for new teachers and anyone who is looking for extra guidance in mathematics instruction."
"What an absolute treasure of a resource this book is! This book should be in every elementary teacher’s class as well as on every building leader’s and coach’s bookshelf! This resource takes the abstract and loftiness out of what we know about best practices in math education and makes it accessible and actionable! I can already envision this book being number one in my toolbox for coaching conversations! Thank you!"
"Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Elementary Math: Five to Thrive is a delightful game-changing instructional playbook for new teachers and those of us who want to be effective at cultivating a love for math in the students we serve. This will be the companion of teachers of math for years to come. Read this book, and gain tools to thrive."
"Developing a formula for success in mathematics teaching and learning can take decades of experience and study, especially for elementary educators. Yet the authors have encapsulated it in this easy-to-read book through an honest and practical approach. A must-have resource for every mathematics educator!"
"A practical how-to resource for cognitively engaging educators in crafting a math community with students at the center! Through examples and non-examples, activities, and specific and intentional guiding questions, no stone was left unturned in how to structure, engage, and move students forward in a math community!"
"The authors offer fresh and pragmatic insights into teachers’ biggest questions related to building community, classroom structure and management, engagement, discourse, and assessment in elementary mathematics. This is a must-read resource for teachers and math coaches committed to the effective teaching of mathematics and the pursuit of deep learning!"
"Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Elementary Math: Five to Thrive addresses the “how-to”s of establishing a culturally responsive, student-centered, rigorous, inclusive mathematics classroom. From how not to “hijack a lesson” to how to support students when they are stuck, it provides thorough rationales for the research-based practices it promotes. This book can be a reference guide for new teachers and those transitioning away from the traditional methods of teaching mathematics."