Mathematics in the Making: Authoring Ideas in Primary Classrooms - Softcover

Mills, Heidi; O'Keefe, Timothy; Whitin, David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0435071009 ISBN 13: 9780435071004

Publisher: Heinemann, 1996

Synopsis

Mathematics education has been criticized for focusing too much time on skills and not enough on concepts and strategies. To help students become mathematically literate, they may need to be guided by more global concepts - concepts that portray mathematics as a way of thinking. This text demonstrates how children can become "authors" of their own mathematical ideas by emphasizing mathematics as a way of thinking. The term "author" is given because it conveys the active, constructive, and exploratory role that children are to assume if they are to become empowered mathematical thinkers. They draw comparisons with the authoring cycle and show how they supported primary students as these children revised, collaborated, and made personal connections to mathematical situations. Included are descriptions of a range of mathematical experiences, such as measuring with standard and nonstandard units, reading children's literature to reinforce concepts, writing about mathematics and yearlong investigations. There are examples of children's writing, drawing and exploratory conversations, along with practical suggestions on how to start the year, establish certain mathematical rituals, work with parents, and meet goals in a responsive way. The book distinguishes among concepts, strategies, and skills to highlight what really matters in mathematics, closing with a model for evaluation.

About this title

About the Author

HEIDI MILLS is assistant professor of elementary education at the University of South Carolina. She has worked with teachers in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, public schools to develop a whole language curriculum for the Child Development Center.David J. Whitin is a Professor of Elementary Education at Wayne State University, where he teaches courses in mathematics education and elementary school curriculum. David has been an elementary school principal and teacher. David has a Baccalaureate degree from Princeton University, a master's degree from Boston University, an M.A.T. from the University of New Hampshire, and a doctorate in elementary education from Indiana University. David's presentations are lively and interactive. He involves teachers themselves in a variety of experiences so that they have the opportunity to reflect on their own learning. He shares numerous samples of children's work to demonstrate how teachers have enacted these beliefs about learning in creative ways. He has frequently spoken for such groups as NCTE, NCTM, IRA and many groups nationally and internationally.

Edition details

• Publisher: Heinemann
• Publication date: 1996
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0435071009
• ISBN 13: 9780435071004
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 198