Learning Mathematics in Elementary and Middle Schools (3rd Edition)

This K through 8 methods book clearly links the teaching theories and techniques it proscribes to the most current NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. Skillfully blending theory and practice, these authors focus reader attention on understanding the underpinnings of the mathematics they will be teaching, while at the same time showing them how to create an environment that supports children's learning and encourages children to reason, make connections, and solve problems. Activities, problems for solution, videos, and a succession of valuable “links” throughout the chapters actively involve future teachers in the same type of learning their students will be doing. This book provides a strong emphasis on the middle school that significantly expands the book's applicability. It covers ways to interact with children while doing mathematics and ensures future teachers begin their careers with a firm grounding in expected knowledge and a thorough understanding of evaluation criteria. For professionals in the field of teaching.

How can you create a learning environment that supports and encourages children to build understandings, make connections, reason, and solve problems?

This textbook helps prospective teachers learn how to teach mathematics in a way that is child-centered and focused on developing mathematics concepts aligned with the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics. Videos that highlight exemplary math teaching, selected from the Annenberg/CPB Teaching Math Series, are free to adopting professors. Key text features identify how the math teachers captured on video weave the teaching of the math process standards—problem solving, representation, communication, reasoning and proof, and connections—into their math lessons.

Features of the third edition include:

• Principles and Standards Links help readers connect the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics with chapter topics.
• NEW! Additions to chapters 14 and 17 more meaningfully address middle school mathematics concepts.
• Classroom Clips, full-color features integrating the video package, highlight outstanding teachers engaged with children in math classrooms. A NEW video chosen especially for preservice middle school teachers presents an exemplary model for teaching math to adolescents.
• NEW! Technology Links in each chapter look at meaningful website activities for use in the college classroom as well as in elementary and middle school classrooms.The Literature Links also include ideas for extension activities readers can use with children to enhance children's understanding of the topic.