Description
Results from national and international assessments indicate that school children in the United States are not learning mathematics well enough. Many students cannot correctly apply computational algorithms to solve problems. Their understanding and use of decimals and fractions are especially weak. Indeed, helping all children succeed in mathematics is an imperative national goal. However, for our youth to succeed, we need to change how we re teaching this discipline. Helping Children Learn Mathematics provides comprehensive and reliable information that will guide efforts to improve school mathematics from pre--kindergarten through eighth grade. The authors explain the five strands of mathematical proficiency and discuss the major changes that need to be made in mathematics instruction, instructional materials, assessments, teacher education, and the broader educational system and answers some of the frequently asked questions when it comes to mathematics instruction. The book concludes by providing recommended actions for parents and caregivers, teachers, administrators, and policy makers, stressing the importance that everyone work together to ensure a mathematically literate society.
Reviews
"Each of the five strands [of mathematical proficiency] is well explained and elaborated on. ... The book is concise and extremely comprehensive in discussing ways that we can help children learn mathematics, and it focuses on current issues related to that goal. The authors provide important advice to parents, caregivers, teachers, administrators, and policymakers to help them support students' mathematical learning. I highly recommend this outstanding resource for anyone involved with children who are learning mathematics."
-- Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, September 2003
