Succeeding at Teaching Secondary Mathematics: Your First Year / Edition 1

by Cheryl D. Roddick

Overview

In today's world of increased accountability, teaching mathematics offers more challenges than ever before. This resource helps beginnig teachers get off to a great start by proivding information on everything form assessment to studards—based teaching to student engagement strategies.

The Authors focus on NCTM content and process standards and offer guidelines for instructing and assessing English language learns, students with special needs, and gifted students. Filled with practical strategies as well as helpful classroom vignettes that encourage thought provoking discussions on teaching middle and high school mathematics , this buide shows teachers how to

• Focus on the big ideas in teaching mathematics
• Design a curriculum that is meaningful
• Differentiate instruction to challenge all learners
• Engage students by meeting their affective, behavioral, and cognitive needs
• Use a Variety of methods to assess students understanding

Covering the key elements to successful teaching, this essential mathematics resource helps beginning educators lead their class with confidence!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2901412927634
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	03/22/2010
Edition description:	NE
Pages:	124
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Cheryl D. Roddick is an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics at San José State University. She currently teaches mathematics and mathematics methods courses to students in K-12 education. She also supervises field experiences for student teachers at the secondary level. 

Roddick’s research interests include the conceptual understanding of fractions and teacher change relative to teaching mathematics. She has presented her research in local as well as national mathematics education conferences. She also facilitates K-12 inservice activities with teachers in local school districts.

Julie Sliva Spitzer brings a rich background in mathematics, technology, and special education. As an associate professor of mathematics education at San Jose State University, she teaches methods of mathematics instruction to aspiring educators and supervises their field experiences. Julie continues to enjoy inservice work with teachers Grades K–12. Julie’s research interests include studying teacher and student attitudes toward teaching and learning mathematics, and best practices for teaching mathematics to learners with special needs. She is a frequent presenter at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meetings, the California Mathematics Annual Conference, and the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education, North American Chapter.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

About the Authors ix

Introduction 1

1 A Glimpse at Mathematics Instruction 3

Two Illustrations 4

Vignette 1: Algebra I—Shake Across America 4

Discussion 7

Adaptations and Extensions 10

Vignette 2: Seventh Grade—Surface Area With Polydron Shapes 10

Discussion 14

Adaptations and Extensions 15

Success in Teaching Mathematics 16

Summary 16

2 Standards-Based Teaching 17

Why Do We Need Standards for Teaching Mathematics? 18

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Principles and Standards 18

State and District Standards for Teaching Mathematics 24

The Relationship Between Standards and Standards Based Mathematics Textbooks 25

Aligning Algebraic Reasoning With the Process Standards 26

Summary 31

3 Engaging Students in Learning Mathematics 33

What Is Engagement? 34

Engaging Learners in the Affective Domain 34

Vignette 1: Math Clubs 35

Vignette 2: Seventh Grade&Math Jeopardy 35

Glasser's Five Basic Needs 36

Vignette 3: Increasing a Student's Confidence in Mathematics 38

A Fresh Look at Math Clubs and Math Jeopardy 39

Affective Issues Related to Teaching and Learning Mathematics 42

Students Engaged in Learning Probability 44

Engaging Learners in the Behavioral Domain 51

Engaging Learners in the Cognitive Domain 53

Summary 56

4 Engagement Strategies for Special Populations 57

Vignette 1 Disparate Learners in Algebra I 57

The Special Needs Learner 59

The Gifted Learner 65

The English Language Learner 70

Example of Engaging Learners in a Mathematics Classroom 74

Vignette 2 Permutations, Counting, and Ice Cream Cones 74

Discussion 78

Summary 79

5 Assessment 81

Types of Assessment 82

Rubrics 88

Developing Assessments: The Use of Backward Design 89

Grading and Assessment Schemes 91

Practical Ways of Assessing Throughout the Instructional Process 92

Tailoring Assessments for Special Populations 92

Data Driven Instructional Practices 97

A Word About Standardized Tests 98

Summary 98

6 Putting It All Together 99

The Year at a Glance: Designing Your Curriculum 99

Making Connections Within Mathematics 100

Mathematical Connections Across the Grades 102

More Connections Across the Grades 105

Making Connections Across the Curriculum 106

Succeeding at Teaching Mathematics—and Loving It! 107

Appendix A Solutions to Shake Across America 109

Appendix B Solution to the Following Problem From the Polydron Vignette 111

Appendix C The Dart Board Game Solution 113

Appendix D Generalization for Original Pizza Problem 115

References 117

Index 121

Editorial Reviews

"A progressive book that tackles current issues facing teachers. The resources in this book are invaluable for new and practicing educators because of the shift in education toward developing data-driven cultures. This transformation has changed the responsibilities of teachers and the structure of mathematics classrooms in middle and high schools to a systematic approach, which facilitates student achievement and guides classrooms instruction. "

Christina Silvas-Centeno

"The authors do an excellent job of raising the most problematic issues for many first-year teachers and give rich mathematical tasks through vignettes that serve to raise, discuss and provide suggestions for addressing the issues. I highly recommend this book for the beginning teacher seeking advice for a successful first year of teaching. "

Beatriz S. D'Ambrosio

"Beginning teachers know more math and have met more psychological concepts than they'll ever need for teaching. What they really need and want now is a feel for how to communicate that math to students in the classroom. Roddick and Spitzer connect the dots for these teachers. Their well-designed classroom vignettes encourage beginners to think seriously about how to put together a lesson that engages and encourages students, how to work with children of differing abilities together in the same classroom, and how to evaluate all students fairly. "

Gerald R. Rising

A nice addition to any burgeoning library of a new teacher.

Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School

"Here is a resource that all math teachers can use. This book maps out a road to success by incorporating best practices, innovative ideas, and proven strategies that will help any teacher reach today's students. It is filled with illustrations and explanations on how to turn your classroom into an active learning environment that appeals to the students of the 21st century. This book was an invaluable resource in transforming my classroom—now my students want to come to math class, and they are learning! "

Amanda Mc Kee

"Here is a resource that all math teachers can use. This book maps out a road to success by incorporating best practices, innovative ideas, and proven strategies that will help any teacher reach today's students. It is filled with illustrations and explanations on how to turn your classroom into an active learning environment that appeals to the students of the 21st century. This book was an invaluable resource in transforming my classroom—now my students want to come to math class, and they are learning!"

Amanda McKee