Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Secondary Math: Five to Thrive [series]

Teaching secondary math can be challenging, but a student-centered approach can foster thinking and provide opportunities for students to learn, grow, and achieve at high levels. This guide offers practical advice from experienced math educators for building a positive math community, structuring and managing a class, engaging students in math, helping them talk about math, and assessing student knowledge. It also includes helpful sidebar notes on fostering identity and agency, access and equity, teaching in different settings, and valuable resources for deeper learning. The final question offers guidance for growing your practice over time.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 184 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: SAGE Publications Inc

Teaching secondary math can be a challenging task, as it requires a different approach than the traditional method of delivering knowledge. One effective way to teach math is in a student-centered manner, which shifts the teacher's role from a knowledge dispenser to a facilitator of thinking. This approach emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for each student to learn, grow, and achieve at high levels while also fostering their agency and authority in the classroom.

Whether you are a brand new teacher or a veteran, this guide is designed to provide you with practical answers to your most pressing questions about teaching secondary math. Written by four experienced math educators with diverse backgrounds, the book offers actionable advice they wish they received years ago, drawn from their decades of practice, research, coaching, and collaboration with teams, teachers, and colleagues, especially new teachers.

The book is organized into five areas of effort that will help you thrive in your secondary math classroom:

Building a Positive Math Community: This section explores how to create a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their mathematical ideas and collaborating with their peers. It includes strategies for building relationships, promoting positive classroom culture, and addressing equity issues.

Structuring, Organizing, and Managing Your Math Class: This section provides guidance on effective classroom management, lesson planning, and assessment strategies. It covers topics such as pacing, grouping students, and using technology to enhance instruction.

Engaging Students in Math: This section offers practical ideas for engaging students in meaningful mathematical tasks and promoting active learning. It includes strategies for using visual aids, hands-on activities, and real-world connections to make math relevant and enjoyable.

Helping Students Talk about Math: This section focuses on promoting mathematical discourse and improving students' communication skills. It includes strategies for encouraging students to ask questions, collaborate, and explain their thinking.

Assessing Student Knowledge and Moving Them Forward: This section provides insights on effective assessment practices and strategies for identifying areas where students need additional support. It covers topics such as formative assessments, summative assessments, and using data to drive instruction.

Throughout the book, helpful sidebar notes provide additional information on fostering identity and agency, access and equity, teaching in different settings, and valuable resources for deeper learning. The final question, "Where do I go from here?" offers guidance on continuing professional development and building a strong math identity.

Teaching secondary math requires a thoughtful and intentional approach that prioritizes student learning and development. By adopting a student-centered approach and providing opportunities for each student to thrive, teachers can create a positive math community, structure, organize, and manage their classes effectively, engage students in meaningful mathematical tasks, and assess their knowledge and progress. This guide provides valuable insights and practical strategies to help teachers navigate the challenges of teaching secondary math and achieve success in their classrooms.

Weight: 528g
Dimension: 216 x 279 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781071870792