Fun and Fundamental Math for Young Children: Building a Strong Foundation in PreK-Grade 2

by Marian Small

Overview

Educators of young children who don’t yet know the work of Marian Small are in for a gift—a treasure trove to enhance their teaching and thinking about math. This book focuses on the most important concepts and skills needed to provide early learners (preK–2) with a strong foundation in mathematics, in ways that are fun for both children and educators! For each mathematical concept, professional developer Marian Small provides sample activities and lessons, as well as guidance for using children’s books, games, manipulatives, and electronic devices. This resource also demonstrates how to differentiate instruction using tasks and questions designed to include all students. Like other Marian Small bestsellers, the text features her special brand of lucid explanation of difficult concepts, fresh and engaging teaching examples, troubleshooting tips, and formative assessments. Fun and Fundamental Math for Young Children is separated into special grade level sections for pre-K, kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. It can be used with any early childhood curriculum or as a stand-alone program in preschools.

Marian Small is available for in-person and online professional development.

“Within the first few pages it quickly became apparent that, whether you are a new or veteran teacher, your knowledge and appreciation of and for primary mathematics will grow page by page.”
—From the Foreword by Graham Fletcher, math specialist, Atlanta, Georgia

“Marian Small describes the development of major aspects of children’s mathematical thinking and connects them to many interesting and useful classroom activities.”
—Herbert Ginsburg, professor emeritus, Teachers College, Columbia University

“I love this book! The ideas are invaluable and the attention to detail is amazing.”
—Nicki Newton, math consultant

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780807776964
Publisher:	Teachers College Press
Publication date:	04/13/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	20 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Foreword Graham Fletcher vii

Preface ix

Acknowledgments x

1 Pedagogical Principles: Children Playing, Talking, Touching, and Thinking Their Way to Understanding 1

What Makes a Task Worthwhile? 1

Rich Mathematical Conversation 2

The Value of Teaching Through Play 3

The Value of Learning Using Concrete Objects 3

The Importance of Differentiation 4

The Importance of Listening to the Child 5

2 Counting and Cardinality 7

The Fundamentals 7

Misconceptions to Watch For 17

The Fun 18

Pre-K and Kindergarten 18

Suggestions for Home Activities 27

3 Operations and Algebraic Thinking 31

The Fundamentals 32

Misconceptions to Watch For 49

The Fun 49

Pre-K and Kindergarten 49

Suggestions for Home Activities 54

1st Grade 55

Suggestions for Home Activities 60

2nd Grade 62

Suggestions for Home Activities 67

4 Number and Operations In Base Ten 69

The Fundamentals 70

Misconceptions to Watch For 93

The Fun 94

Pre-K and Kindergarten 94

Suggestions for Home Activities 95

1st Grade 96

Suggestions for Home Activities 104

2nd Grade 106

Suggestions for Home Activities 112

5 Measurement and Data 115

The Fundamentals 116

Misconceptions to Watch For 140

The Fun 143

Pre-K and Kindergarten 143

Suggestions for Home Activities 150

1st Grade 150

Suggestions for Home Activities 157

2nd Grade 158

Suggestions for Home Activities 165

6 Geometry 167

The Fundamentals 167

Misconceptions to Watch For 180

The Fun 181

Pre-K and Kindergarten 181

Suggestions for Home Activities 186

1st Grade 187

Suggestions for Home Activities 191

2nd Grade 191

Suggestions for Home Activities 193

Additional Geometry Activities for 1st and 2nd Grades 193

Conclusion 199

Glossary 201

References 207

Index 209

About the Author 213

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Marian Small has once again shared a beautiful blend of pedagogy and practice. Only this time she’s written a book specifically for preschool through 2nd-grade teachers. Within the first few pages it quickly became apparent that, whether you are a new or veteran teacher, your knowledge and appreciation of and for primary mathematics will grow page by page."
—From the foreword by Graham Fletcher, math specialist, Atlanta, Georgia

"Marian Small has succeeded in describing the development of major aspects of children’s mathematical thinking and, most importantly, in connecting them to many interesting and useful classroom activities."
—Herbert Ginsburg, professor emeritus, Teachers College, Columbia University

“I love this book! The ideas are invaluable and the attention to detail is amazing. It shows teachers exactly how to help students think more deeply about open questions and tasks. Marian small is brilliant.”
—Nicki Newton, math consultant