Knowing and Learning Mathematics for Teaching

There are many questions about the mathematical preparation teachers need. Recent recommendations from a variety of sources state that reforming teacher preparation in postsecondary institutions is central in providing quality mathematics education to all students. The Mathematics Teacher Preparation Content Workshop examined this problem by considering two central questions:

• What is the mathematical knowledge teachers need to know in order to teach well?
• How can teachers develop the mathematical knowledge they need to teach well?

The Workshop activities focused on using actual acts of teaching such as examining student work, designing tasks, or posing questions, as a medium for teacher learning. The Workshop proceedings, Knowing and Learning Mathematics for Teaching, is a collection of the papers presented, the activities, and plenary sessions that took place.

Table of Contents

• Front Matter
• Introduction
• Workshop Overview: Knowing and Learning Mathematics for Teaching
• Pre-Workshop Tasks
• Teachers' Understanding of Fundamental Mathematics
• Reconsidering the Mathematics That Teachers Need to Know
• Investigating Teaching Practice: Setting the Stage
• Investigating Teaching Practice: What Mathematical Knowledge, Skills, and Sensibilities Does It Take?
• What Kinds of Mathematical Knowledge Matter in Teaching?
• How Can Teachers Develop Such Mathematical Knowledge?
• Investigating Alternative Approaches to Helping Teachers Learn Mathematics
• Promising Approaches for Helping Prospective Elementary Teachers Learn Mathematics for Teaching
• Concluding Remarks
• Discussion Group Reports
• Question #1
• Question #2
• Question #3
• Question #4
• Question #5
• Appendix A: Pre-Workshop Reading
• Appendix B: Workshop Agenda
• Appendix C: Homework Problems
• Appendix D: Workshop Participant List
• Appendix E: Transcript of Ball Videos
• Appendix F: Explanation of the Unit on Weight
• Appendix G: Excerpts from Investigations
• Appendix H: Mathematics Case Methods Project
• Appendix I: Biographical Information
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