Teaching Math, Science, and Technology in Schools Today

In this clear and concise book, Adams and Hamm demonstrate how collaborative inquiry and problem solving strategies can be used to engage both eager and reluctant learners in math, science, and technology.  The book provides examples of activities that can be used in K–8 classrooms and shows how the activities can be used to differentiate instruction for learners at different ability levels.  The activities covered include a variety of math content, such as numbers and operations, fractions, patterns and functions, algebra, geometry, and measurement.  It also has some activities to enhance students' science inquiry and process skills, such as observing, comparing, hypothesizing, experimenting, and communicating.  The suggested activities are replicable in elementary classrooms.  Throughout the book, the authors argue for a learner-centered pedagogy that encourages students to think creatively and constructively.  The book has five chapters, and each chapter has a list of questions at the end, which can provide guidance for teachers and prospective teachers to engage students in mathematics and science learning.  This is a valuable resource for mathematics and science educators.  Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate and research collections. * CHOICE *
Sometimes it seems that far too many students finish elementary school lacking good knowledge of math and science. They often say these were their least favorite subjects. Part of the problem is that often their teachers feel the same way and pass their dislike along to their students. The authors would like teachers and prospective teachers to be more enthusiastic about teaching math and science, and thus they have written these guidelines for that purpose. . . .This book lives up to the authors’ intent to '…deepen the conversation, challenge thinking, and provide some up–to–date tools for teachers so that they can help reverse the steady erosion of math, science, and technological skills in the general population.' * National Science Teachers Association *
I found the discussion of the nature of mathematics [in this book] to be a powerful tool, allowing teachers, new and experienced, to reflect on what mathematics really is and providing a foundation for change. * National Council of Teachers of Mathematics *
Teaching Math, Science, and Technology in Schools Today is very teacher friendly, well organized, and consistent in format and style. The guidelines that it presents provide a useful and thought provoking outline for conversation and consideration by faculty and administrative groups interested in improving achievement in mathematics, science, and technology by creating and environment of engagement and discourse among all students. * Mathematics Teacher *
This book lives up to the authors' intent to 'deepen the conversation, challenge thinking, and provide some up-to-date tools for teachers so that they can help reverse the steady erosion of math, science, and technological skills in the general population." * Science Scope *
This book does an excellent job of helping teachers structure their classes in a way that leads to intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and creative thinking. Adams and Hamm provide thought provoking and sometimes different viewpoints for helping reluctant, math-anxious, and eager students succeed. The authors utilize the latest research yet display an uncanny, classical sense of Piagetian assimilation and accommodation in their constructivist approach. -- Jeffrey DeGroot, teacher, Wisconsin
In their newest collaboration, educational mentors Dennis Adams and Mary Hamm enthusiastically embrace the challenge of the Common Core Curriculum Standards to meet our rapidly changing world. Coupling innovative activities with differentiated instruction, Adams and Hamm have created a teacher-friendly reference that makes use of imagination, movement, sound, and humor – which are elements of creative thinking and critical in our rapidly evolving world. -- Christina Sullivan, teacher, New York
Adams and Hamm focus on creativity and innovation in teaching math, science, and technology. The book points out the importance of original thinking while providing activities that help students express themselves in many ways. The book also does an excellent job of focusing and helping both eager and reluctant learners to achieve academic success. A major strength is providing methods teachers can use to make sense of the world they live in. As a teacher in the 21st century, I know that it is important that students are given the opportunity to reflect and be open to new ideas, and this book is beneficial in realizing this approach. -- Krista Harrietha, teacher, Nova Scotia
As a “reluctant teacher” myself, when it came to teach subjects that were not my strength, I was thrilled to find a book that made me feel I could teach math, science, and technology without needing to be extremely proficient or even fascinated with the subjects. By allowing the students to show the way through collaborative work, everyone can realize they have the skill and knowledge to be the next Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. We all come to the table with something to offer. The activities offered in the second edition of Teaching Math, Science, and Technology in Schools Today: Guidelines for Engaging Both Eager and Reluctant Learners are reality-based and open-ended, allowing for wonder, exploration, and innovative solutions. Whether used directly by teachers in the classroom or as a teaching tool for professional development, both reluctant teachers and struggling students will find success and a new love of these 21st century skills by following the guidance offered within these pages. -- Margaret Losee, teacher of the deaf, York, Maine