Navigating Through Discrete Mathematics in Grades 6-12


Book Description

Offers ways of presenting and developing three topics emphasised in Principles and Standards for School Mathematics: counting, vertex-edge graphs and iterative and recursive processes.







Teaching and Learning Discrete Mathematics Worldwide: Curriculum and Research


Book Description

This book discusses examples of discrete mathematics in school curricula, including in the areas of graph theory, recursion and discrete dynamical systems, combinatorics, logic, game theory, and the mathematics of fairness. In addition, it describes current discrete mathematics curriculum initiatives in several countries, and presents ongoing research, especially in the areas of combinatorial reasoning and the affective dimension of learning discrete mathematics. Discrete mathematics is the math of our time.' So declared the immediate past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, John Dossey, in 1991. Nearly 30 years later that statement is still true, although the news has not yet fully reached school mathematics curricula. Nevertheless, much valuable work has been done, and continues to be done. This volume reports on some of that work. It provides a glimpse of the state of the art in learning and teaching discrete mathematics around the world, and it makes the case once again that discrete mathematics is indeed mathematics for our time, even more so today in our digital age, and it should be included in the core curricula of all countries for all students.




Teaching Secondary and Middle School Mathematics


Book Description

Teaching Secondary and Middle School Mathematics combines the latest developments in research, technology, and standards with a vibrant writing style to help teachers prepare for the excitement and challenges of teaching secondary and middle school mathematics. The book explores the mathematics teaching profession by examining the processes of planning, teaching, and assessing student progress through practical examples and recommendations. Beginning with an examination of what it means to teach and learn mathematics, the reader is led through the essential components of teaching, concluding with an examination of how teachers continue with professional development throughout their careers. Hundreds of citations are used to support the ideas presented in the text, and specific websites and other resources are presented for future study by the reader. Classroom scenarios are presented to engage the reader in thinking through specific challenges that are common in mathematics classrooms. The sixth edition has been updated and expanded with particular emphasis on the latest technology, resources, and standards. The reader is introduced to the ways that students think and how to best meet their needs through planning that involves attention to differentiation, as well as how to manage a classroom for success. Features include: The entire text has been reorganized so that assessment takes a more central role in planning and teaching. Unit 3 (of 5) now addresses the use of summative and formative assessments to inform classroom teaching practices. ● A new feature, "Links and Resources," has been added to each of the 13 chapters. While the book includes a substantial listing of citations and resources after the chapters, five strongly recommended and practical resources are spotlighted at the end of each chapter as an easy reference to some of the most important materials on the topic. ● Approximately 150 new citations have either replaced or been added to the text to reflect the latest in research, materials, and resources that support the teaching of mathematics. ● A Quick Reference Guide has been added to the front of the book to assist the reader in identifying the most useful chapter features by topic. ● A significant revision to Chapter 13 now includes discussions of common teaching assessments used for field experiences and licensure, as well as a discussion of practical suggestions for success in methods and student teaching experiences. ● Chapter 9 on the practical use of classroom technology has been revised to reflect the latest tools available to classroom teachers, including apps that can be run on handheld, personal devices. An updated Instructor’s Manual features a test bank, sample classroom activities, Powerpoint slides, chapter summaries, and learning outcomes for each chapter, and can be accessed by instructors online at www.routledge.com/9780367146511




Teaching Mathematics in Grades 6 - 12


Book Description

Teaching Mathematics in Grades 6 - 12 by Randall E. Groth explores how research in mathematics education can inform teaching practice in grades 6-12. The author shows preservice mathematics teachers the value of being a "researcher—constantly experimenting with methods for developing students' mathematical thinking—and connecting this research to practices that enhance students' understanding of the material. Ultimately, preservice teachers will gain a deeper understanding of the types of mathematical knowledge students bring to school, and how students' thinking may develop in response to different teaching strategies.




Discrete Mathematics


Book Description

This gentle introduction to discrete mathematics is written for first and second year math majors, especially those who intend to teach. The text began as a set of lecture notes for the discrete mathematics course at the University of Northern Colorado. This course serves both as an introduction to topics in discrete math and as the "introduction to proof" course for math majors. The course is usually taught with a large amount of student inquiry, and this text is written to help facilitate this. Four main topics are covered: counting, sequences, logic, and graph theory. Along the way proofs are introduced, including proofs by contradiction, proofs by induction, and combinatorial proofs. The book contains over 360 exercises, including 230 with solutions and 130 more involved problems suitable for homework. There are also Investigate! activities throughout the text to support active, inquiry based learning. While there are many fine discrete math textbooks available, this text has the following advantages: It is written to be used in an inquiry rich course. It is written to be used in a course for future math teachers. It is open source, with low cost print editions and free electronic editions.







Bad at Math?


Book Description

Math really is for everyone—so let’s prove it. You’ve heard it from kids, from friends, and from celebrities: "I’m bad at math." It’s a line that society tends to accept without examination—after all, some people just aren’t "math people," right? Wrong. As we do with other essential skills, we need to expose the stereotypes, challenge the negative mindsets, and finally confront the systemic opportunity gaps in math education, and replace them with a new vision for what math is, who it’s for, and who can excel at it. In this book you’ll find Research on teacher and student mindsets and their effect on student achievement Audience-specific and differentiated tools, reflection questions, and suggested actions for educators at all levels of the system Examples from popular media, as well as personal stories and anecdotes Quotes, data-driven figures, and suggestions for deeper learning on all aspects of a positive and equitable vision of math education Both social commentary and a toolkit of solutions, this bold new book directly challenges the constructs that have historically dictated our perceptions of what makes someone a "math person". Only by dismantling those misplaced assumptions can we reform math education so it works for everyone. Because in truth, we are all math people.