The Math Myth

The Math Myth

Author: Andrew Hacker

Publisher: New Press, The

Published: 2010-05-25

Total Pages: 257

ISBN-13: 1620970694

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A New York Times–bestselling author looks at mathematics education in America—when it’s worthwhile, and when it’s not. Why do we inflict a full menu of mathematics—algebra, geometry, trigonometry, even calculus—on all young Americans, regardless of their interests or aptitudes? While Andrew Hacker has been a professor of mathematics himself, and extols the glories of the subject, he also questions some widely held assumptions in this thought-provoking and practical-minded book. Does advanced math really broaden our minds? Is mastery of azimuths and asymptotes needed for success in most jobs? Should the entire Common Core syllabus be required of every student? Hacker worries that our nation’s current frenzied emphasis on STEM is diverting attention from other pursuits and even subverting the spirit of the country. Here, he shows how mandating math for everyone prevents other talents from being developed and acts as an irrational barrier to graduation and careers. He proposes alternatives, including teaching facility with figures, quantitative reasoning, and understanding statistics. Expanding upon the author’s viral New York Times op-ed, The Math Myth is sure to spark a heated and needed national conversation—not just about mathematics but about the kind of people and society we want to be. “Hacker’s accessible arguments offer plenty to think about and should serve as a clarion call to students, parents, and educators who decry the one-size-fits-all approach to schooling.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review


What's Math Got to Do with It?

What's Math Got to Do with It?

Author: Jo Boaler

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 9780670019526

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Discusses how to make mathematics for children enjoyable and why it is important for American children to succeed in mathematics and choose math-based career paths in the future.


Principles to Actions

Principles to Actions

Author: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

Publisher: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Incorporated

Published: 2014-02

Total Pages: 139

ISBN-13: 9780873537742

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This text offers guidance to teachers, mathematics coaches, administrators, parents, and policymakers. This book: provides a research-based description of eight essential mathematics teaching practices ; describes the conditions, structures, and policies that must support the teaching practices ; builds on NCTM's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics and supports implementation of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics to attain much higher levels of mathematics achievement for all students ; identifies obstacles, unproductive and productive beliefs, and key actions that must be understood, acknowledged, and addressed by all stakeholders ; encourages teachers of mathematics to engage students in mathematical thinking, reasoning, and sense making to significantly strengthen teaching and learning.


Rethinking Mathematics

Rethinking Mathematics

Author: Eric Gutstein

Publisher: Rethinking Schools

Published: 2005

Total Pages: 192

ISBN-13: 0942961544

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In this unique collection, more than 30 articles show how to weave social justice issues throughout the mathematics curriculum, as well as how to integrate mathematics into other curricular areas. Rethinking Mathematics offers teaching ideas, lesson plans, and reflections by practitioners and mathematics educators. This is real-world math-math that helps students analyze problems as they gain essential academic skills. This book offers hope and guidance for teachers to enliven and strengthen their math teaching. It will deepen students' understanding of society and help prepare them to be critical, active participants in a democracy. Blending theory and practice, this is the only resource of its kind.


Mathematics for Equity

Mathematics for Equity

Author: Na’ilah Suad Nasir

Publisher: Teachers College Press

Published: 2014-12-04

Total Pages: 289

ISBN-13: 0807773069

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In this book, nationally renowned scholars join classroom teachers to share equity-oriented approaches that have been successful with urban high school mathematics students. Compiling for the first time major research findings and practitioner experiences from Railside High School, the volume describes the evolution of a fundamentally different conception of learners and teaching. The chapters bring together research and reflection on teacher collaboration and professional community, student outcomes and mathematics classroom culture, reform curricula and pedagogy, and ongoing teacher development. Mathematics for Equity will be invaluable reading for teachers, schools, and districts interested in maintaining a focus on equity and improving student learning while making sense of the new demands of the Common Core State Standards. Book Features: Core principles of an equity-centered mathematics program. Examples of how to focus and organize the collaborative work of a math department to develop a shared pedagogy. Student experiences with an equity pedagogy that focuses on building perseverance, flexibility in thinking, and deep conceptual understanding. Connections between reconceptualizing learners and teaching, and achieving deep mathematics learning and equitable outcomes. Contributors include: Jo Boaler, Ilana Seidel Horn, Judith Warren Little, and Rachel Lotan. “Mathematics for Equity provides a kaleidoscopic view, in the voices of teachers, researchers, and students themselves, of one of the nation’s most ambitious and successful attempts at teaching mathematics for equity. It shows what it takes to create a climate that supports students and teachers in engaging in meaningful mathematical activity—and, alas, how vulnerable such environments are to the wrong kinds of ‘accountability.’ Read it and learn.” —Alan H. Schoenfeld, University of California at Berkeley “Want to fix what's wrong with mathematics instruction in your school? Read this book with your colleagues and do what it inspires you to do. Written by the brave teachers and former students who did it, as well as researchers.” —Phil Daro, writing team, Common Core Standards, Strategic Education Research Partnership


High School Mathematics Lessons to Explore, Understand, and Respond to Social Injustice

High School Mathematics Lessons to Explore, Understand, and Respond to Social Injustice

Author: Robert Q. Berry III

Publisher: Corwin Press

Published: 2020-03-09

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13: 1071806467

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Empower students to be the change—join the teaching mathematics for social justice movement! We live in an era in which students have —through various media and their lived experiences— a more visceral experience of social, economic, and environmental injustices. However, when people think of social justice, mathematics is rarely the first thing that comes to mind. Through model lessons developed by over 30 diverse contributors, this book brings seemingly abstract high school mathematics content to life by connecting it to the issues students see and want to change in the world. Along with expert guidance from the lead authors, the lessons in this book explain how to teach mathematics for self- and community-empowerment. It walks teachers step-by-step through the process of using mathematics—across all high school content domains—as a tool to explore, understand, and respond to issues of social injustice including: environmental injustice; wealth inequality; food insecurity; and gender, LGBTQ, and racial discrimination. This book features: Content cross-referenced by mathematical concept and social issues Downloadable instructional materials for student use User-friendly and logical interior design for daily use Guidance for designing and implementing social justice lessons driven by your own students’ unique passions and challenges Timelier than ever, teaching mathematics through the lens of social justice will connect content to students’ daily lives, fortify their mathematical understanding, and expose them to issues that will make them responsive citizens and leaders in the future.


The Impact of Identity in K-8 Mathematics Learning and Teaching

The Impact of Identity in K-8 Mathematics Learning and Teaching

Author: Julia Aguirre

Publisher:

Published: 2013

Total Pages: 126

ISBN-13: 9780873536899

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Each teacher and student brings many identities to the classroom. What is their impact on the student’s learning and the teacher’s teaching of mathematics? This book invites K–8 teachers to reflect on their own and their students’ multiple identities. Rich possibilities for learning result when teachers draw on these identities to offer high-quality, equity-based teaching to all students. Reflecting on identity and re-envisioning learning and teaching through this lens especially benefits students who have been marginalized by race, class, ethnicity, or gender. The authors encourage teachers to reframe instruction by using five equity-based mathematics teaching practices: Going deep with mathematics; leveraging multiple mathematical competencies; affirming mathematics learners’ identities; challenging spaces of marginality; and drawing on multiple resources of knowledge. Special features of the book: Classroom vignettes, lessons, and assessments showing equity-based practices Tools for teachers’ self-reflection and professional development, including a mathematics learning autobiography and teacher identity activity at nctm.org/more4u Suggestions for partnering with parents and community organisations End-of-chapter discussion questions