This book is about how teachers can use classroom mathematics tasks to support student learning, and presents data on the ways in which teachers used those tasks in a particular research project. It is the product of research findings focusing on teacher practice, teacher learning and knowledge, and student learning. It demonstrates how teachers can use mathematics tasks to promote effective student learning.

Teaching and learning mathematics is a political act in which children, teachers, parents, and policy makers are made visible as subjects. As they learn about mathematics, children are also learning about themselves - who they are, who they might become. We can choose to listen or not to what children have to say about learning mathematics. Such choices constitute us in relations of power. Mathematical know-how is widely regarded as essential not only to the life chances of individuals, but also to the health of communities and the economic well-being of nations. With the globalisation of education in an increasingly market-oriented world, mathematics has received intensified attention in the first decade of the twenty-first century with a shifting emphasis on utilitarian aspects of mathematics. This is reflected in the reconceptualisation of mathematical competence as mathematical literacy, loosely conceived as those ways of thinking, reasoning and working "mathematically" that allow us to engage effectively in everyday situations, in many occupations, and the cut and thrust of world economies as active, empowered and participatory citizens. It is no surprise then that mathematics has become one of the most politically charged subjects in primary school curricula worldwide. We are experiencing an unprecedented proliferation of regional and national strategies to establish benchmarks, raise standards, enhance achievement, close gaps, and leave no child behind in mathematics education. Industries have sprung up around the design, administration and monitoring of standardised assessment to measure and compare children's mathematical achievement against identified benchmarks and each other.

This book highlights new developments in the teaching and learning of algebraic thinking with 5- to 12-year-olds. Based on empirical findings gathered in several countries on five continents, it provides a wealth of best practices for teaching early algebra. Building on the work of the ICME-13 (International Congress on Mathematical Education) Topic Study Group 10 on Early Algebra, well-known authors such as Luis Radford, John Mason, Maria Blanton, Deborah Schifter, and Max Stephens, as well as younger scholars from Asia, Europe, South Africa, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand, present novel theoretical perspectives and their latest findings. The book is divided into three parts that focus on (i) epistemological/mathematical aspects of algebraic thinking, (ii) learning, and (iii) teaching and teacher development. Some of the main threads running through the book are the various ways in which structures can express themselves in children's developing algebraic thinking, the roles of generalization and natural language, and the emergence of symbolism. Presenting vital new data from international contexts, the book provides additional support for the position that essential ways of thinking algebraically need to be intentionally fostered in instruction from the earliest grades.

Part I: Introduction. Challenging Perspectives on Mathematics Classroom Communication: From Representations to Contexts, Interactions and Politics. Part II: Contributed Chapters. Theme I: Communication: register, representations, context(s).

The 2015 TIMSS Grade 9 study was administered in August 2015 by a team of researchers at the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in collaboration with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA). This was the fifth time that South Africa has participated in TIMSS since 1995. In addition to the learner assessment data, the study also collected contextual information from learners, teachers and school principals, making it possible to explore the factors that are related to Grade 9 mathematics and science achievement. This report was written to provide some perspective about how the results of international assessments can be used to provide meaningful national insights. Sections of the report bring together the main findings based on descriptive, inferential and psychometric analysis of the data. The report concludes with recommendations of how the results relate to policy and practice for improving educational quality.

Exam Board: AQA Level: GCSE Subject: Maths First teaching: September 2015 First exams: June 2017 Revise smart and save! Designed for classroom and independent study, this Revision Guide includes a FREE online edition and complements the AQA GCSE Mathematics Student Book with a range of features: One-topic-per-page format helps you revise more quickly, without the hassle Exam-style worked examples match the new specification and demonstrate good exam technique 'Now try this' exam-style practice questions let you test your understanding of a topic Key formulae tell you exactly which formulae you need to learn for the exams Target indicator shows you exactly what level you're working at Problem solving support throughout including tricky questions on easy topics and strategies and techniques for answering harder questions Video worked solutions show you exactly how to answer tricky questions Complete coverage of the new specification including brand-new topics like functions and Venn diagrams Visual explanations of key concepts help you revise quickly and recall key skills in your exams With one-to-one page correspondence between this Guide and the companion Workbook, the hugely popular REVISE series offers the best value available for GCSE students.

Children's Fractional Knowledge elegantly tracks the construction of knowledge, both by children learning new methods of reasoning and by the researchers studying their methods. The book challenges the widely held belief that children's whole number knowledge is a distraction from their learning of fractions by positing that their fractional learning involves reorganizing-not simply using or building upon-their whole number knowledge. This hypothesis is explained in detail using examples of actual grade-schoolers approaching problems in fractions including the schemes they construct to relate parts to a whole, to produce a fraction as a multiple of a unit part, to transform a fraction into a commensurate fraction, or to combine two fractions multiplicatively or additively. These case studies provide a singular journey into children's mathematics experience, which often varies greatly from that of adults. Moreover, the authors' descriptive terms reflect children's quantitative operations, as opposed to adult mathematical phrases rooted in concepts that do not reflect-and which in the classroom may even suppress-youngsters' learning experiences. Highlights of the coverage: Toward a formulation of a mathematics of living instead of being Operations that produce numerical counting schemes Case studies: children's part-whole, partitive, iterative, and other fraction schemes Using the generalized number sequence to produce fraction schemes Redefining school mathematics This fresh perspective is of immediate importance to researchers in mathematics education. With the up-close lens onto mathematical development found in Children's Fractional Knowledge, readers can work toward creating more effective methods for improving young learners' quantitative reasoning skills.

A Volume in International Perspectives on Mathematics Education - Cognition, Equity & Society Series Editor Bharath Sriraman, The University of Montana and Lyn English, Queensland University of Technology Why a book on gender issues in mathematics in the 21st century? Several factors have influenced the undertaking of this project by the editors. First, an international volume focusing on gender and mathematics has not appeared since publication of papers emerging from the 1996 International Congress on Mathematical Education (Keitel, 1998). Surely it was time for an updated look at this critical area of mathematics education. Second, we have had lively discussion and working groups on gender issues at conferences of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education [PME] for the past four years, sessions at which stimulating and ground-breaking research has been discussed by participants from many different countries. Some publication seemed essential to share this new knowledge emerging from a wider variety of countries and from different cultural perspectives. Third, some western countries such as Australia and the USA have experienced in recent years a focus on the "boy problem," with an underlying assumption that issues of females and mathematics have been solved and are no longer worthy of interest. Thus it seemed timely to look more closely at the issue of gender and mathematics internationally. When the idea for this volume first emerged, invitations were issued to those regularly attending the working and discussion groups at PME. Potential authors were charged to focus on gender issues in mathematics and were given wide scope to hone in on the issues that were central to their own research efforts, or were in receipt or in need of close attention in their own national or regional contexts.

Concept Mapping in Mathematics: Research into Practice is the first comprehensive book on concept mapping in mathematics. It provides the reader with an understanding of how the meta-cognitive tool, namely, hierarchical concept maps, and the process of concept mapping can be used innovatively and strategically to improve planning, teaching, learning, and assessment at different educational levels. This collection of research articles examines the usefulness of concept maps in the educational setting, with applications and examples ranging from primary grade classrooms through secondary mathematics to pre-service teacher education, undergraduate mathematics and post-graduate mathematics education. A second meta-cognitive tool, called vee diagrams, is also critically examined by two authors, particularly its value in improving mathematical problem solving.

Thematically, the book flows from a historical development overview of concept mapping in the sciences to applications of concept mapping in mathematics by teachers and pre-service teachers as a means of analyzing mathematics topics, planning for instruction and designing assessment tasks including applications by school and university students as learning and review tools. This book provides case studies and resources that have been field tested with school and university students alike. The findings presented have implications for enriching mathematics learning and making problem solving more accessible and meaningful for students.

The theoretical underpinnings of concept mapping and of the studies in the book include Ausubel s cognitive theory of meaningful learning, constructivist and Vygotskian psychology to name a few. There is evidence particularly from international studies such as PISA and TIMSS and mathematics education research, which suggest that students mathematical literacy and problem solving skills can be enhanced through students collaborating and interacting as they work, discuss and communicate mathematically. This book proposes the meta-cognitive strategy of concept mapping as one viable means of promoting, communicating and explicating students mathematical thinking and reasoning publicly in a social setting (e.g., mathematics classrooms) as they engage in mathematical dialogues and discussions.

Concept Mapping in Mathematics: Research into Practice is of interest to researchers, graduate students, teacher educators and professionals in mathematics education.

This book uses the publicly available TEDS-M data to answer such questions as: How does teacher education contribute to the learning outcomes of future teachers? Are there programs that are more successful than others in helping teachers learn to teach mathematics? How does the local and national policy environment contribute to teacher education outcomes? It invites readers to explore these questions across a large number of international settings. The importance of preparing future mathematics teachers has become a priority across many nations. Across the globe nations have allocated resources and expertise to this endeavour. Yet in spite of the importance accorded to teacher education not much is known about different approaches to preparing knowledgeable teachers and whether these approaches do in fact achieve their purpose. The Mathematics Teacher Education and Development Study (TEDS-M) is the first, and to date the only, cross-national study using scientific and representative samples to provide empirical data on the knowledge that future mathematics teachers of primary and secondary school acquire in their teacher education programs. The study addresses the central importance of teacher knowledge in learning to teach mathematics by examining variation in the nature and influence of teacher education programs within and across countries. The study collected data on teacher education programs structure, curriculum and opportunities to learn, on teacher educators' characteristics and beliefs, and on future mathematics teachers' individual characteristics, beliefs, and mathematics and pedagogical knowledge across 17 countries providing a unique opportunity to explore enduring questions in the field.

Constructing concise and correct proofs is one of the most challenging aspects of learning to work with advanced mathematics. Meeting this challenge is a defining moment for those considering a career in mathematics or related fields. Mathematical Thinking and Writing teaches readers to construct proofs and communicate with the precision necessary for working with abstraction. It is based on two premises: composing clear and accurate mathematical arguments is critical in abstract mathematics, and that this skill requires development and support. Abstraction is the destination, not the starting point.
Maddox methodically builds toward a thorough understanding of the proof process, demonstrating and encouraging mathematical thinking along the way. Skillful use of analogy clarifies abstract ideas. Clearly presented methods of mathematical precision provide an understanding of the nature of mathematics and its defining structure.
After mastering the art of the proof process, the reader may pursue two independent paths. The latter parts are purposefully designed to rest on the foundation of the first, and climb quickly into analysis or algebra. Maddox addresses fundamental principles in these two areas, so that readers can apply their mathematical thinking and writing skills to these new concepts. From this exposure, readers experience the beauty of the mathematical landscape and further develop their ability to work with abstract ideas.
* Covers the full range of techniques used in proofs, including contrapositive, induction, and proof by contradiction
* Explains identification of techniques and how they are applied in the specific problem
* Illustrates how to read written proofs with many step by step examples
* Includes 20% more exercises than the first edition that are integrated into the material instead of end of chapter
* The Instructors Guide and Solutions Manual points out which exercises simply must be either assigned or at least discussed because they undergird later results

This book is brimming with Maths questions (with fully explained answers) for ages 9-10 - it's a fantastic resource for helping children work towards the 11+. The first section of the book focuses on one topic at a time to help children gain understanding and confidence, followed by realistic Assessment Tests to improve their speed and accuracy across a wide range of questions. This book is ideal for the 11+ tests set by GL Assessment and other test providers, and provides excellent practice for the Kent Test. A separate edition for the CEM tests is also available. Great news - a free Online Edition of the whole book is included - just use the unique access code printed inside the cover to access it on a PC, Mac or tablet!

The Check-up Workbook includes: Check-ups - which assess specific pieces of work Round-ups - provide assessment of the range of mathematics covered according to the 5-14 Attainment targets. They include an end of level test.

This book develops the theoretical perspective on visuospatial reasoning in ecocultural contexts, granting insights on how the language, gestures, and representations of different cultures reflect visuospatial reasoning in context. For a number of years, two themes in the field of mathematics education have run parallel with each other with only a passing acquaintance. These two areas are the psychological perspective on visuospatial reasoning and ecocultural perspectives on mathematics education. This volume examines both areas of research and explores the intersection of these powerful ideas. In addition, there has been a growing interest in sociocultural aspects of education and in particular that of Indigenous education in the field of mathematics education. There has not, however, been a sound analysis of how environmental and cultural contexts impact visuospatial reasoning, although it was noted as far back as the 1980s when Alan Bishop developed his duality of visual processing and interpreting visual information. This book provides this analysis and in so doing not only articulates new and worthwhile lines of research, but also uncovers and makes real a variety of useful professional approaches in teaching school mathematics. With a renewed interest in visuospatial reasoning in the mathematics education community, this volume is extremely timely and adds significantly to current literature on the topic.

MasterClass in Mathematics Education provides accessible links between theory and practice and encourages readers to reflect on their own understanding of their teaching context. Each chapter, written by an internationally respected authority, explores the key concepts within the selected area of the field, drawing directly on published research to encourage readers to reflect on the content, ideas and ongoing debates. Using international case studies, each chapter will encourage readers to think about ways that the teaching and learning of mathematics reflect different cultural traditions and expectations and enable them to evaluate effective strategies for their own contexts.

Study & Master Mathematics has been specially developed by an experienced author team to support the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). The comprehensive Learner's Book provides: * activities that develop learners' skills and understanding in each of the topics specified by the Mathematics curriculum * stimulating Mental Maths activities for all relevant topics * examples based on learners' own experiences. Also provides and innovative Teacher's Guide.

Oxford successful business studies is a trusted business studies course that is used by teachers all over South Africa. The rich, relevant content fully covers the National Curriculum Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), ensuring that learners stay interested throughout the year. Features: topics are structured according to CAPS, making the course easy to use in the classroom; extensive language support on business terminology helps learners grasp the core concepts of business studies; relevant and up-to-date case studies and examples enrich the content; assessment is carefully scaffolded throughout to ensure a successful year for the learner; exam support is built into every activity, revision, practice test and practice exam, helping learners prepare for formal assessment and exams.

The mathematics education community continues to contribute research-based ideas for developing and improving problem posing as an inquiry-based instructional strategy for enhancing students' learning. A large number of studies have been conducted which have covered many research topics and methodological aspects of teaching and learning mathematics through problem posing. The Authors' groundwork has shown that many of these studies predict positive outcomes from implementing problem posing on: student knowledge, problem solving and posing skills, creativity and disposition toward mathematics. This book examines, in-depth, the contribution of a problem posing approach to teaching mathematics and discusses the impact of adopting this approach on the development of theoretical frameworks, teaching practices and research on mathematical problem posing over the last 50 years.

This volume presents a set of studies that explore significant questions about mathematics teaching and learning, and illustrate new methodologies for the analysis of new questions about mathematics education. The data from the "Second International Mathematical Study" (SIMS) is the starting point for all of the material in this work. SIMS was one of the largest and most comprehensive data-collection effort on mathematics teaching and learning ever undertaken. Because of its scale, comparative cross-cultural perspective, conceptualization and design, its data offer an indispensable beginning point for the exploration of many of the fundamental questions that circle around mathematics teaching and learning, not only internationally, but in the United States as well.

Level 3b introduced three more stories for guided and shared reading. High-frequency words are interspersed throughout interesting stories that really put young children safely on the road to reading.