Responding to widespread interest within cultural studies and social inquiry, this book addresses the question 'what is a mathematical concept?' using a variety of vanguard theories in the humanities and posthumanities. Tapping historical, philosophical, sociological and psychological perspectives, each chapter explores the question of how mathematics comes to matter. Of interest to scholars across the usual disciplinary divides, this book tracks mathematics as a cultural activity, drawing connections with empirical practice. Unlike other books in this area, it is highly interdisciplinary, devoted to exploring the ontology of mathematics as it plays out in different contexts. This book will appeal to scholars who are interested in particular mathematical habits - creative diagramming, structural mappings, material agency, interdisciplinary coverings - that shed light on both mathematics and other disciplines. Chapters are also relevant to social sciences and humanities scholars, as each offers philosophical insight into mathematics and how we might live mathematically.

An insightful, myth-busting book based on one core belief: maths doesn't have to be scary! Exploring the many myths around teaching and learning mathematics, this book offers practical strategies to implement new ways of thinking and inspire teacher and pupil confidence in every primary maths lesson. Whether you're an ECT finding your way around the maths curriculum, or an experienced teacher looking to boost your practice, this book is full of in-depth case studies, inventive lesson ideas and easy-to-digest theory to make maths enjoyable and accessible for you and your pupils. From 'maths is always right or wrong' to 'maths is for some people not others', Professor Alf Coles and Professor Nathalie Sinclair explain why these common dogmas inhibit learners and contribute to the maths anxiety that many children and even teachers face. Other chapters include a practical focus, explaining ideas such as choral counting in steps as a whole class and presenting a maths question as a 'soap opera', as well as real-life case studies for using Cuisenaire rods and climate change statistics to engage and inspire pupils. This is the perfect book for primary teachers looking to reignite a love of mathematics in their classroom and improve learning outcomes for all pupils.

What comes first, class management or student engagement? How can the 'real world' be used to engage learners? What is the role of technology in engaging students? And is 'understanding' or 'exam success' more engaging? In the modern world, success in school mathematics can determine life chances. It is therefore vital to engage children and young people in learning mathematics. Engaging in Mathematics in the Classroom brings together the debates concerning mathematical engagement and draws on first-hand experience and key research to promote successful classroom practice. It considers what engagement looks like at different ages and the implications of this for the classroom. Accessibly written with examples of successful classroom practice, activities and projects, the book covers: Planning and managing engagement in learning; Mathematical understandings and meanings; Early Primary and the number system; Primary/Secondary Transition and geometrical thinking; Secondary school: Adolescence and algebraic activity; Post-16 and infinity; Learning across the lifespan. Written by a leading authority in the field, this timely text will be essential reading for all trainee and practising teachers of mathematics.

What comes first, class management or student engagement? How can the 'real world' be used to engage learners? What is the role of technology in engaging students? And is 'understanding' or 'exam success' more engaging? In the modern world, success in school mathematics can determine life chances. It is therefore vital to engage children and young people in learning mathematics. Engaging in Mathematics in the Classroom brings together the debates concerning mathematical engagement and draws on first-hand experience and key research to promote successful classroom practice. It considers what engagement looks like at different ages and the implications of this for the classroom. Accessibly written with examples of successful classroom practice, activities and projects, the book covers: Planning and managing engagement in learning; Mathematical understandings and meanings; Early Primary and the number system; Primary/Secondary Transition and geometrical thinking; Secondary school: Adolescence and algebraic activity; Post-16 and infinity; Learning across the lifespan. Written by a leading authority in the field, this timely text will be essential reading for all trainee and practising teachers of mathematics.

'This book moves us beyond a theoretical pondering of the issues and makes concrete suggestions for teachers and students for how things can be different in mathematics classrooms. This is long overdue.' Peter Gates, University of Nottingham Teaching Mathematics as if the Planet Matters explores how Mathematics teachers can develop approaches to curriculum and learning which help students understand the nature of the contemporary world. It sets out a model for teaching and learning that allows teachers to examine existing approaches to teaching and draw upon the insights of mathematics as a discipline to help students relate classroom mathematics to global issues such as climate change, the economy, food supplies, biodiversity, human rights, and social justice. Including practical examples, suggestions for teaching activities and detailed further reading sections, the book covers: the mathematics of description in the measuring, recording and statistical analysis that informs our knowledge of climate change, consumption and sustainability; the mathematics of prediction in the modelling used by governments, scientists and businesses to plan roads, power stations and food supplies and their effects; the mathematics of communication in the news reports, blogs and environmental campaigns, incomplete without graphs, charts and statistics. The true worth of a school subject is revealed in how far it can account for and respond to the major issues of the time. The issue of the environment cuts across subject boundaries and requires an interdisciplinary response. Mathematics teachers are part of that response and they have a crucial role in helping students to respond to environmental issues and representations.

'This book moves us beyond a theoretical pondering of the issues and makes concrete suggestions for teachers and students for how things can be different in mathematics classrooms. This is long overdue.' Peter Gates, University of Nottingham Teaching Mathematics as if the Planet Matters explores how Mathematics teachers can develop approaches to curriculum and learning which help students understand the nature of the contemporary world. It sets out a model for teaching and learning that allows teachers to examine existing approaches to teaching and draw upon the insights of mathematics as a discipline to help students relate classroom mathematics to global issues such as climate change, the economy, food supplies, biodiversity, human rights, and social justice. Including practical examples, suggestions for teaching activities and detailed further reading sections, the book covers: the mathematics of description in the measuring, recording and statistical analysis that informs our knowledge of climate change, consumption and sustainability; the mathematics of prediction in the modelling used by governments, scientists and businesses to plan roads, power stations and food supplies and their effects; the mathematics of communication in the news reports, blogs and environmental campaigns, incomplete without graphs, charts and statistics. The true worth of a school subject is revealed in how far it can account for and respond to the major issues of the time. The issue of the environment cuts across subject boundaries and requires an interdisciplinary response. Mathematics teachers are part of that response and they have a crucial role in helping students to respond to environmental issues and representations.

This book is about a collaboration between two mathematics teachers. It offers a historical narrative of their joint research into what is involved in becoming a teacher of mathematics. This is a story of change and the process of change. Laurinda Brown and Alf Coles have collaborated for over 10 years, researching strategies for the teaching of mathematics. Their work is valued in both the research and teaching communities: ..". worldwide research projects in the development of teaching in mathematics education tend to encourage models of critically reflective practice ... t]his type of research is well illustrated by the work of Coles and Brown." (from Nickson, M. (2003) 'A review of BSRLM research, 1995-2002' (ed. J. Winter), British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics, Monograph Series: Number 1, Totton, Hampshire 2003). Laurinda Brownteaches at the University of Bristol, Graduate School of Education, having previously been a mathematics teacher and a curriculum developer. Alf Coles teaches at Kingsfield School, South Gloucestershire. He is also doing a part-time PhD at the University of Bristol, taking on the ideas of 'listening' that are detailed in the last chapter of this book.