Smart Moves: Developing Mathematical Reasoning with Games and Puzzles

Michael Serra has taught mathematics in San Francisco public schools for over forty years. Michael continues to serve as a master teacher and mentor to other teachers. He officially retired from teaching high school in 2001 and now does professional development workshops with school districts and math conferences throughout the world. He currently volunteers at an elementary school. Michael often says working with the fifth grade class is the "highlight of his week."

During his teaching career Michael wrote his own curriculum to teach geometry using familiar objects like patty paper, tennis ball cans, and string. This classroom material eventually became the innovative textbook "Discovering Geometry".

In addition to "Discovering Geometry", he has published "Patty Paper Geometry", the "Mathercise Series", "What's Wrong with This Picture?", and "Smart Moves". He also writes for various math newsletters and makes videos about teaching math. michaelserra.net

Michael enjoys interior design and hosting backgammon chouette parties. He can be found playing disc golf at Golden Gate park when he is not traveling.

"Michael Serra knows how to elicit student feedback, refocus it, and send it back to the student, all packaged inside an intriguing question or challenge. You have to watch his highlight reel in slow motion to see how he does it. He's that skilled and his process is that subtle." - Dan Meyer, dy/dan