Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching the Small Group : Small-group Instruction Strategies to Differentiate Math Lessons in Elementary Classrooms

When done right, small-group instruction is a powerful tool for facilitating student understanding in K-5 mathematics. Throughout the book, best practices for small-group math instruction are addressed in detail, from planning tasks that encourage deep understanding to asking effective questions to engaging learners in meaningful conversations. Readers will learn how teaching mathematics in small groups allows you to differentiate instruction for both remediation and enrichment. The included small-group instruction videos demonstrate the suggested strategies in a real-classroom setting, giving readers the opportunity to see best practice in action.

Develop math-specific instruction strategies for teaching small groups in elementary school:

• Explore the benefits of small-group math activities and how these activities are unique compared to large-group instruction.
• Discover the teacher's and students' roles in small-group instruction and how teachers can help students develop the skills to fulfill their role.
• Learn how to apply the general tasks, questions, and evidence (TQE) process to small-group instruction in order to enhance student learning and improve your knowledge of teaching mathematics.
• View examples of small-group instruction, which provide both math intervention and math enrichment activities for different students.

Contents:
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
About the Authors
Introduction
Chapter 1: Best Practices in Small-Group Instruction
Chapter 2: The TQE Process in Small-Group Instruction
Chapter 3: Discourse in Small-Group Instruction
Chapter 4: How to Tie It All Together
References
Index

Juli K. Dixon, PhD, is a professor of mathematics education at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando. She coordinates the award-winning Lockheed Martin/UCF Academy for Mathematics and Science for the K-8 master of education program as well as the mathematics track of the doctoral program in education. Prior to joining the faculty at UCF, Dr. Dixon was a secondary mathematics educator at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a public school mathematics teacher in urban school settings at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels.

Dr. Dixon is a prolific writer who has authored and coauthored books, textbooks, chapters, and articles. She is also a lead author on the Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching professional development book and video series as well as for K-12 school mathematics textbooks with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Especially important to Dr. Dixon is the need to teach each and every student. She often shares her personal story of supporting her own children with special needs to learn mathematics in an inclusive setting. Dr. Dixon published A Stroke of Luck: A Girl's Second Chance at Life with her daughter, Jessica Dixon. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Dixon has delivered keynotes and other presentations throughout North America.

To learn more about Dr. Dixon's work supporting children with special needs, visit astrokeofluck.net or to learn more about Dr. Dixon's work supporting teachers follow @thestrokeofluck on Twitter.

Lisa A. Brooks, EdD, is an associate lecturer at the University of Central Florida. She teaches classes in mathematics and science education in the elementary education program. She is an Inclusive Education Faculty Fellow and a Graduate Faculty Scholar. Her research is focused on helping teachers facilitate student discourse to increase conceptual understanding of mathematics. Dr. Brooks has been an educator since 1992. She has experience teaching elementary, middle school, undergraduate, and graduate students.

Dr. Brooks is co-author of Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching Grades K-2. She is also a published author of multiple articles in state, national, and international journals. She provides professional development throughout North America and has experience presenting at conferences for educators, school leaders, district leaders, and teacher educators.

To learn more about Dr. Brooks's work, follow @DrBrooksla on Twitter.

Melissa R. Carli is a curriculum program specialist for Lake County Schools. In her role, Carli supports schools and teachers by facilitating collaboration around the Common Core State Standards to assist in preparing for and implementing rigorous mathematics instruction. Her focus is on providing teachers with the tools and knowledge necessary to help their students think critically around mathematical content. Carli has taught at the elementary and middle school levels and served as both a mathematics coach and department chair.

Carli has presented her work at local, state, and national conferences as well as in school districts throughout North America focusing on using effective instructional practices in mathematics. She is a member of the Florida Association of Mathematics Supervisors, Florida Council of Teachers of Mathematics, and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM).

To learn more about Melissa Carli's work follow @MCarliLovesMath on Twitter.

To book Juli K. Dixon, Lisa A. Brooks, or Melissa R. Carli for professional development, contact pd@SolutionTree.com.