Synopses & Reviews
Since its initial publication, MATHEMATICS: A GOOD BEGINNING has set the standard for math methods books. More than just a textbook, this is a complete instructional program that serves a multitude of curriculum needs. The book has been praised for its depth and clarity, its imaginative activities, and its attentiveness to the philosophy and recommendations of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). This edition is solidly grounded in the latest research on how children learn mathematics and how teachers develop attitudes, beliefs, and knowledge that promote successful teaching.
Review
"This text is especially strong due to the comprehensive references to philosophy and researchers in the area of learning with an emphasis on constructivism and Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences."
Review
"The strengths of the text lie in the comprehensive coverage of the various content chapters, which include numerous well-designed classroom teaching activities/ideas, along with the very important mini-chapters."
Review
"This text is especially strong due to the comprehensive references to philosophy and researchers in the area of learning with an emphasis on constructivism and Gardner?s theory of multiple intelligences."
Review
"Each chapter's connection to the NCTM standards is another essential factor that reflects its currency and accuracy."
About the Author
Ed.D., University of FloridaPh.D., University of Illinois
Table of Contents
PART I. A JOURNEY TOWARDS MATHEMATICAL SUCCESS. 0. Learning About Learning (From the Ground Up). 1. Thinking About Thinking (Identifying Problem Solving Abilities). 2. Problem Solving (A Way of Life). 3. Whats Math Anyway? (Unifying Ideas). PART II. FROM COUNTING TO DIVISION. 4. Getting Ready for a Good Beginning (Number Sense, Classification, and Counting). 5. 100s, 10s, 1s,The Best Yet (Our Base-Ten Numeration System). 6. Addition and Subtraction of Whole Numbers (Constructing Meaning). 7. Addition and Subtraction, Whole Number Algorithms (Building, Understanding, Applying, and Estimating). 8. Multiplication and Division of Whole Numbers (Constructing Meaning). 9. Multiplication and Division, Whole Number Algorithms (Building, Understanding, Estimating, and Applying). 10. Assessing Teaching and Learning (Putting the Pieces Together). 11. A Fitting Finale for Part II (Predicting Student Difficulties). Part III. The Rest of the Rationals. 12. Some Theory About Numbers (Factors, Multiples, Primes, and Composites). 13. Superstitious, Not Us. 14. Not All Numbers are Whole Numbers (Representing, Adding, and Subtracting Rational Numbers). 15. Security is Knowing Why (Multiplying and Dividing Rational Numbers). PART IV. GEOMETRY AND MEASUREMENT. 16. The Shape of Things (Constructing Geometric Ideas and Relationships). 17. Sizing It Up (Attributes of Measurement and Measurement of Attributes). 18. Making Numbers Count (Collecting, Representing, Interpreting, and Predicting). PART V. APPLICATIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS. 19. Technology and Teaching (Status and Direction). 20. Teaching in the Real World (More About the Children We Teach). Appendix A: NCTM Standards. Appendix B: MGB Resource. Appendix C: Selected Answers to Stop and Reflect and ThinkTank Exercises.