Upper Elementary Math Lessons

These math classroom cases are short and to the point – ideal for a focused class discussion about a specific pedagogical principle or teaching dilemma. I especially appreciated the multiple ways in which the cases are classified – it makes it easier for a teacher educator to decide which ones to use and for what purposes. I also liked the diversity in instructional settings – and especially appreciated having some cases portraying classes with students with disabilities and limited English proficiency. -- Raffaella Borasi, dean and Frederica Warner Professor of Education, University of Rochester
All the cases in this groundbreaking book have the characteristics of good cases: they portray real events, involve engaging characters, convey on-the-spot decisions made by the teachers, and call for critical evaluation. Graeber and Valli provide the community, not only with good cases but also with thoughtful reflections, in the form of short commentaries, by a variety of relevant voices and various perspectives. I am eager to use these cases in my own teacher education courses. -- Dina Tirosh, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
Interest in improving the mathematics proficiency of US schoolchildren continues to build, as evidenced by many states' recent adoption of the Common Core State Standards. While many works address the theoretical and practical underpinnings needed to deliver exemplary math instruction, few explore how this looks in practice. To meet this need, Graeber (emer., Univ. of Maryland), Valli (Univ. of Maryland), and Newton (Temple Univ.) have written a collection of case studies. Each chapter provides a case study that explores a range of subject matter as delineated by standards, a variety of pedagogical approaches, and a mixture of instructor experience levels and learning settings. The standards covered explore subject matter including measurement, geometry, estimation, and basic operations. Metacognitive approaches such as scaffolding, accessing prior knowledge and addressing misconceptions, and using high-level questions and demanding multiple representations are shared. Learning settings include advanced, English as a second language, and intervention settings. The case studies are brief and are followed by guiding questions and teacher commentaries that give a professional perspective. Realistic and practical. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers, undergraduate students, and professionals. * CHOICE *
I would recommend this book to preservice teacher education programs to guide discussions surrounding math education. * Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School *