A volume in Research in Mathematics Education Series Editor Barbara J. Dougherty, University of Mississippi The purpose of this book is to document the work of the Show-Me Project (1997-2007) and to highlight lessons learned about curriculum implementation. Although the Show-Me Project was charged with promoting the dissemination and implementation of four distinct comprehensive curriculum programs (Connected Mathematics, Mathematics in Context, MathScape, and MathThematics), most of the lessons learned from this work are not curriculum specific. Rather, they cut across the four programs and share commonalities with standards-based curriculum reform at any level. We believe that documenting these lessons learned will be one of the legacies of the Show-Me Project We anticipate that the comprehensive nature of this work will attract readers from multiple audiences that include state and district mathematics supervisors, middle grades mathematics teachers and administrators involved in curriculum reform, as well as mathematics teacher educators. Those about to embark on the review of curriculum materials will appreciate reading about the processes employed by other districts. Readers with interests in a particular curriculum program will be able to trace the curriculum-specific chapters to gain insights into how the design of the curricula relate to professional development, adoption and implementation issues, and teachers' personal experience using the curriculum materials. Individuals who provide professional development at the middle grades level will find chapters that they can use for both general and focused discussions. Teachers at all stages of implementation will recognize their own experiences in reading and reflecting on the stories of teacher change. Mathematics educators will find ideas on how these curricula can be used in the preparation of preservice middle grades teachers.

The 14 chapters in this monograph provide support for mathematics teacher educators in both their Practical Knowledge and their Professional Knowledge. Individually, these articles provide insights into advancing our thinking about professional development, teacher preparation, and program development. Collectively, they have the potential to help the field of mathematics teacher education move forward in framing effective practices in mathematics teacher education and developing a focused, cohesive research agenda. ATME's Monograph 5, therefore, is a superb resource for mathematics teacher education.

You just signed your first contract to teach secondary maths. You're excited, but you probably have many questions and concerns: What do I do when students don't "get" the lesson? How can I help students who struggle with math that they supposedly learned in elementary school? How do I arrange for students who are absent to make up the work? Do I assign seating or let students choose their seats? Should I have students work in groups? How much homework should I assign-and how much should I grade? Though you may envision your classroom as a place where students engage with mathematics and learn important content, you may also worry about how your teaching will actually play out-how you and your students will interact and what they will learn. Based on classroom observations and interviews with seasoned and beginning teachers, this highly useful book offers valuable suggestions to improve your teaching and your students' opportunities to learn. The authors explore both the visible and invisible aspects of teaching and offer proven strategies to make the work meaningful-not merely manageable. Success from the start means being prepared from the start. This book not only teaches you how to be an effective maths teacher but also gives you the tools to do it well.

A volume in Research in Mathematics Education Series Editor Barbara J. Dougherty, University of Mississippi The purpose of this book is to document the work of the Show-Me Project (1997-2007) and to highlight lessons learned about curriculum implementation. Although the Show-Me Project was charged with promoting the dissemination and implementation of four distinct comprehensive curriculum programs (Connected Mathematics, Mathematics in Context, MathScape, and MathThematics), most of the lessons learned from this work are not curriculum specific. Rather, they cut across the four programs and share commonalities with standards-based curriculum reform at any level. We believe that documenting these lessons learned will be one of the legacies of the Show-Me Project We anticipate that the comprehensive nature of this work will attract readers from multiple audiences that include state and district mathematics supervisors, middle grades mathematics teachers and administrators involved in curriculum reform, as well as mathematics teacher educators. Those about to embark on the review of curriculum materials will appreciate reading about the processes employed by other districts. Readers with interests in a particular curriculum program will be able to trace the curriculum-specific chapters to gain insights into how the design of the curricula relate to professional development, adoption and implementation issues, and teachers' personal experience using the curriculum materials. Individuals who provide professional development at the middle grades level will find chapters that they can use for both general and focused discussions. Teachers at all stages of implementation will recognize their own experiences in reading and reflecting on the stories of teacher change. Mathematics educators will find ideas on how these curricula can be used in the preparation of preservice middle grades teachers.