Concept-based Mathematics (teaching For Deep Understanding In Secondary Classrooms)

By (author) Jennifer Wathall; By (author) Wathall Jennifer
Short description/annotation
This book is filled with the practical tools needed to move from teaching memorization and routine processes to teaching maths in a deep, clear, and meaningful way. 

Description
The books shows teachers how to engage with students, assess understanding and incorporate technology into teaching. It also teaches the connections between what students learn and how they do maths. Tools include inquiry tasks across all levels: unit planners, templates, activities, sample assessments, vignettes from educators, and a dedicated website with additional resources.


Table of contents
Preface I. What is Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction in Math? Research and Theory 1. Why Is It Important for My Students to Learn Conceptually? 2. What Are the Facts, Processes, and Concepts in Mathematics? II. How to Craft Generalizations and Plan Units of Work to Ensure Deep Conceptual Understanding? A Practice Guide 3. How Do I Craft Generalizations for Mathematics? 4. How Do I Plan Units of Work for a Concept-Based Curriculum? III. How Do We Engage Students Through Instructional Practice? Strategies to Engage and Assess 5. How Do I Captivate Students? Eight Strategies for Engaging the Hearts and Minds of Students 6. How Do I Know My Students Understand the Concepts? Assessment Strategies 7. How Do I Integrate Technology to Foster Conceptual Understanding? 8. What Do Ideal Concept-Based Math Classrooms Look Like?
Review quote

"Secondary teachers are constantly being encouraged to change their practice but few books have addressed the topics of secondary mathematics nor given examples that secondary teachers can relate to.  This book does that.  Another strength is the connection of the content to the math processes and practices, the heart of good instruction. The figures provided to summarize big ideas are excellent. I love the potential of this book for using it as a text for middle and secondary teachers, a guide for professional development, and a place for individual reflection.  I know for sure that I would use it for my student teacher seminar class and anytime that I was instructing upper level math teachers.  I’ve been waiting for this!"

Review quote

"The author provides a solid rationale, backed up by numerous practical and authentic examples to increase the quality of conceptual math classroom teaching practices so needed to develop the next generation learners. This is a must have for any secondary school’s professional library."

Review quote

"I attended a Concepts Based Curriculum training course led by Jennifer Wathall and was really inspired by what I learned. Far too often, as teachers, we can become narrowly focused on the topics that we are covering; with concepts there is a whole new opportunity for students to understand the big ideas and the connections between different subjects. Jennifer skillfully guided us through how we can introduce students to a concept-based curriculum. I was really impressed with the method of writing principle generalizations which provide a framework for exploration. These generalizations can in fact make the focus of a lesson or series of lessons much more exciting, allowing students to break out of the constraints of a limited topic range. Ultimately, I left the course determined to try out a concepts-based model with a new unit we are developing on Human Rights. With the conceptual lens, this promises to be a much more thought-provoking unit for our students."

Review quote

"One of the major strengths of the book is the examples and the visual diagrams that outline major topics.  The book provides rubrics that allow teachers to determine where they are in their methodology and a opportunity to decide where they can improve the