Awesome Math: Teaching Mathematics with Problem Based Learning - Softcover

Andreescu, Titu; Cordeiro, Kathy; Andreescu, Alina

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1119575737 ISBN 13: 9781119575733

Publisher: Jossey-Bass, 2019

Synopsis

Help your students to think critically and creatively through team-based problem solving instead of focusing on testing and outcomes. 

Professionals throughout the education system are recognizing that standardized testing is holding students back. Schools tend to view children as outcomes rather than as individuals who require guidance on thinking critically and creatively. Awesome Math focuses on team-based problem solving to teach discrete mathematics, a subject essential for success in the STEM careers of the future. Built on the increasingly popular growth mindset, this timely book emphasizes a problem-solving approach for developing the skills necessary to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively.

In its current form, math education is a series of exercises: straightforward problems with easily-obtained answers. Problem solving, however, involves multiple creative approaches to solving meaningful and interesting problems. The authors, co-founders of the multi-layered educational organization AwesomeMath, have developed an innovative approach to teaching mathematics that will enable educators to:

• Move their students beyond the calculus trap to study the areas of mathematics most of them will need in the modern world
• Show students how problem solving will help them achieve their educational and career goals and form lifelong communities of support and collaboration
• Encourage and reinforce curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity in their students
• Get students into the growth mindset, coach math teams, and make math fun again
• Create lesson plans built on problem based learning and identify and develop educational resources in their schools

Awesome Math: Teaching Mathematics with Problem Based Learning is a must-have resource for general education teachers and math specialists in grades 6 to 12, and resource specialists, special education teachers, elementary educators, and other primary education professionals.

About this title

About the Author

Dr. Titu Andreescu is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas in the Science and Mathematics Education department. As a mathematics educator and leader, he has developed math camps, competitions, and curricula that have received international attention. Titu was a long-time head coach of Team USA participating in the International Math Olympiad. He is cofounder of AwesomeMath, a premiere mathematics camp held across the United States.

Kathy Cordeiro, MBA, is a leading developer of education initiatives for business and academia. She founded Eudaimonia Academy, where she coached mathematics teams and worked with highly and profoundly gifted students. Other roles include facilitator for the Metroplex Math Circle as well as Director of Marketing and Communications for AwesomeMath, where she was able to work with the finest mathematical minds from across the globe. She continues to speak about maximizing mathematics education for parents, schools, and gifted organizations.

Alina Andreescu, MA, is the co-founder and Operations Director of AwesomeMath and founder of XYZ Press. She fosters an international community of staff, students, and instructors that values critical thinking, creativity, passionate problem solving, and lifetime mathematical learning.

From the Back Cover

INSPIRE AND GUIDE STUDENTS TOWARD TRUE MATH MASTERY FOR TODAY'S WORLD

"This book is a brilliant road map that delights in its own theorem of authenticity and relevance. Full of the philosophical groundwork, expert insights, and plenty of practice problems, Awesome Math: Teaching Mathematics with Problem Based Learning is a must read for any Math or STEM educator concerned with the relevance and joy of a beautiful and expansive discipline."
Ben Koch, Co-founder and CEO, Numinds Enrichment

"Awesome Math makes a strong case for ditching rote memorization and turning to collaborative problem-solving and mastery-based learning instead. This book is a must-read for parents and educators in all subject areas who wish to develop their students' creative and critical thinking skills."
Jaime Smith, Founder and CEO of OnlineG3.com

"Awesome Math emphasizes the importance of collaborative problem solving in a classroom setting, featuring interesting and carefully chosen concepts and problems that can be used in a regular classroom and enrichment academic mathematics programs such as math circles or summer camps."
Zvezdelina Stankova, Teaching Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley

"This inclusive book speaks in voices of the many. It has the irresistible flow of a well-curated social feed. There are shiny treasures to repost, 'today-I-learned' surprises to ponder, wise checklists to save, heartfelt polemics to debate and so many kind math friends to meet!"
Dr. Maria Droujkova, Founding Director of Natural Math

From the Inside Flap

INSPIRE AND GUIDE STUDENTS TOWARD TRUE MATH MASTERY FOR TODAY'S WORLD

"This book is a brilliant road map that delights in its own theorem of authenticity and relevance. Full of the philosophical groundwork, expert insights, and plenty of practice problems, Awesome Math: Teaching Mathematics with Problem Based Learning is a must read for any Math or STEM educator concerned with the relevance and joy of a beautiful and expansive discipline."
—Ben Koch, Co-founder and CEO, Numinds Enrichment

"Awesome Math makes a strong case for ditching rote memorization and turning to collaborative problem-solving and mastery-based learning instead. This book is a must-read for parents and educators in all subject areas who wish to develop their students' creative and critical thinking skills."
—Jaime Smith, Founder and CEO of OnlineG3.com

"Awesome Math emphasizes the importance of collaborative problem solving in a classroom setting, featuring interesting and carefully chosen concepts and problems that can be used in a regular classroom and enrichment academic mathematics programs such as math circles or summer camps."
—Zvezdelina Stankova, Teaching Professor of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley

"This inclusive book speaks in voices of the many. It has the irresistible flow of a well-curated social feed. There are shiny treasures to repost, 'today-I-learned' surprises to ponder, wise checklists to save, heartfelt polemics to debate — and so many kind math friends to meet!"
—Dr. Maria Droujkova, Founding Director of Natural Math

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1119575737
• ISBN 13: 9781119575733
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288