Fall weather is on its way. With it comes Fall Break, and “cozy up under a blanket and read a book” season. Learn more about the trends in mathematics education. In this month’s edition, you’ll find my personal recommendations for mathy books, as well as a link to my purchase my book!
Throughout my 12 years of math ed research, I’ve run across some really inspiring people–pioneers within the industry. They share my desire to make math education fun, or at the very least, easily understandable. And below, you’ll see two of those amazing mathematicians and authors that have helped shape my philosophy on math ed.
Lastly, check out this oversized workbook of notes and practice, covering Prealgebra through Algebra 1. My book isn’t meant to be a textbook. It’s more of a “big picture” kind of narrative. For practice problems and additional support, books like this one are excellent resources for making your kid’s math class a breeze!
(By purchasing from the links below, I’ll receive a small commission, but I legit do love this month’s picks!)
by Tammy Reeves, Flippin’ MathFor some, math class has never been easy. And even for those who did well back in the day, today’s math doesn’t look the same as it used to. New strategies and new theories on how to teach math may make it seem more like a foreign language.
This book aspires to take the mystery out of the hows and whys of the ‘new maths’. Don’t let your kid’s math homework intimidate you.
Not everyone is logic-brained. As a creative kind of girl, the author hopes to introduce the key players in the “story of math”. Elementary school is time to get to know the numbers in all their various forms, so we can make predictions and connections later when the plot thickens.
by Jo Boaler
As always Jo Boaler presents research findings through practical ideas that can be used in classrooms and homes. The new What’s Math Got to Do with It? prepares teachers and parents for the Common Core, shares Boaler’s work on ways to teach mathematics for a “growth mindset,” and includes a range of advice to inspire teachers and parents to give their students the best mathematical experience possible.
by Robert Kaplinsky
Robert Kaplinsky is the co-creator of Open Middle math problems, a new class of tasks designed to stimulate deeper thinking and lively discussion among middle and high school students. The problems are characterized by a “closed beginning,” meaning all students start with the same initial problem, and a “closed end,” meaning there is only one correct or optimal answer. The key is that the middle is “open” in the sense that there are multiple ways to approach and ultimately solve the problem.
by Big Fat Notebooks
The BIG FAT NOTEBOOK covers everything you need to know during a year of Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 class, breaking down one big fat subject into accessible units. Including: The number system, ratios, and proportions, scientific notation, introduction and equations, functions, graphing a line, square roots and cube roots, polynomial operations, quadratic functions, and more.
Check ’em out!
You know I’m always looking for more good math stuff. Let me know your favorites! Maybe I’ll feature them next month!