Teaching Mathematical Thinking

This new resource by math education expert Marian Small helps schools and districts to refine their teaching of standards-based mathematical practices. Small devotes a chapter to each of the eight standards of practice and includes a discussion of what each standard looks like in grades K–2, 3–5, and 6–8. Specific attention is given to helping students make sense of problems and persevere in solving them (Standard 1) and to encouraging students to create viable mathematical arguments and to effectively and respectfully critique the reasoning of others (Standard 3). The author also discusses how to formatively assess student performance for each practice standard. To provide additional support to U.S. teachers in their instructional planning, this resource includes attention to the Canadian math processes of visualization and mental math and estimation.

Book Features:

• Addresses common misunderstandings and places where teachers and students struggle.
• Provides lucid explanations of difficult concepts.
• Presents fresh and engaging teaching examples.
• Offers helpful troubleshooting tips.
• Includes examples of student work.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Visit Marian Small’s website onetwoinfinity.ca for in-person and online professional development.

Marian Small is the former dean of education at the University of New Brunswick and longtime professor of mathematics education. She is widely known for her bestselling books and her in-district work with educators in the United States and Canada. Visit her website onetwoinfinity.ca for in-person and online professional development.

"This is a resource that could be used by new and experienced K–8 teachers as they deepen their understanding of each SMP or as they explore different tasks used with their students. It would also be a powerful tool used by a data team or mathematics department

to explore different ways to deepen students’ experiences and use the data from these tasks to reflect on their own practices. As teachers seek tasks that require students to persevere in their thinking and problem solving, this book is a worthy resource. The author provides a thoughtful collection of ways for readers to facilitate students’ development of these practice standards as they learn what it takes to think like a mathematician."

—Mathematics Teacher

“Teachers, teacher educators, and preservice teachers in K–grade 8 can all benefit from this book…This book uses coursework that addresses the Common Core State Standards and methods and content courses for elementary and secondary school teachers. For all teachers, having access to the problems as a resource is by itself worth the price of the book.”

—Teaching Children Mathematics

"Whether you are a new teacher or a seasoned educator, this book will enrich your abilities to develop your students' mathematical thinking."
—From the Foreword by Linda Dacey, professor emerita, Mathematics, Lesley University

“One of the best ways to prepare students for their futures is to teach mathematical thinking. Marian Small shows us the way with powerful tasks, probing questions, and incredible student work samples. This is the book I have been looking for and is definitely a must-have for every teacher.”
—Ruth Harbin Miles, Mary Baldwin University

• Co-published with, and available exclusively in Canada from, Nelson Education Ltd.
• All other sales throughout the world available via Eurospan.