Balka Don S.

Do you ever wish your students could read each other's thoughts? Now they can—and so can you! Veteran mathematics educators Ted Hull, Don Balka, and Ruth Miles explain why making students' thought processes visible is the key to effective mathematics instruction. Their newest book contains numerous grade-specific sample problems and instructional strategies for teaching essential concepts such as number sense, fractions, and estimation. Among the many benefits of visible thinking are: - Interactive student-to-student learning - Increased class participation - Development of metacognitive thinking and problem-solving skills. Helpful features include vignettes, relevant word problems, classroom scenarios, sample problems, lesson adaptations, and easy-to-follow examples of each strategy in action. The authors also explain how students can demonstrate their thinking using calculators and online tools. The final chapter outlines steps maths leaders can take to implement visible thinking and maximize mathematics comprehension for all students.

Rigor: The Common Core has made it policy—and this first-of-its-kind guide takes math teachers and leaders through the process of making it reality. Using the Proficiency Matrix as a framework, the authors offer proven strategies and practical tools for successful implementation of the CCSS mathematical practices—with rigor as a central objective. Readers learn how to Define rigor in the context of each mathematical practice Identify and overcome potential issues, including differentiating instruction and using data Relate specific roles and goals for all stakeholders Use assessment tools to guide work and monitor progress Using the Proficiency Matrix framework along with practical assessment tools, math teachers and leaders will define and achieve rigor in the context of the CCSS mathematical practices.

The Common Core State Standards for Mathematical Practice describe the mathematical ôhabits of mindö that teachers, at all levels, should develop in their students, and without which the content standards cannot be successfully implemented. Attention to the Mathematical Practices connected with content must be enacted in teaching, which will require professional development. Though the CCSS Mathematical Content Standards differ in detail from other content standards, their form is familiar to teachers: a list of things to know. The Mathematical Practices are not so easily condensed into a lesson or unit, not so easily tested and, generally, not so familiar. Content standards are specified grade by grade and build on each other rather than repeating year after year. The Mathematical Practices are different. Though they can be enacted in an appropriate way at any level, they evolve and mature over years rather than days, along with childrenÆs cognitive development and the nature and sophistication of the Mathematical Content. It can be expected that the developers of the CCSS, and the states that collaborated in calling for the development of the CCSS, will work with the developers of assessments to ensure that the Mathematical Practices are taken seriously in testing. Hull, Miles, and Balka wrote this book as professional development resource to help school and math leaders grapple with the changes that must be addressed and move their teachers toward implementation of CCSS-required practices.