"Makes an interesting and thought-provoking contribution to the field of mathematics instruction. Looking at math and literacy as closely aligned language structures creates a need to rethink the strategies used for math instruction." -Catherine Hernandez, Second-Grade Teacher Detroit Public Schools, MI "It's about time! Teaching literacy has been researched, written about, and rewritten so that it can be taught using the most effective methods for optimal learning. Little of this has transpired for mathematics. This book is very unique." -Deborah Gordon, Third-Grade Teacher Madison Simis School, Phoenix, AZ Transform the way you think about and teach elementary-level mathematics! While many teachers feel confident about their preparation and strategic repertoire for literacy instruction, some are less confident about their preparation and content depth for teaching math. Based on the idea that mathematics and reading are two subject areas more alike than different, What If Your ABCs Were Your 123s? illustrates the parallels between literacy and mathematics and helps elementary teachers take what they know about teaching literacy and apply that knowledge to strengthen their math instruction. Designed for the primary and elementary levels, this practical handbook illustrates how teachers can deepen their own mathematical understanding and improve students' achievement by providing: Teaching scenarios that model the crossover of strategies Comprehension strategies to develop and strengthen students' grasp of foundational concepts Instructional approaches to help students value mathematics and feel competent in their abilities to reason, solve problems, and communicate their thinking Student work samples illustrating literacy and math connections Gain a detailed, comprehensive understanding of the relationship between literacy and numeracy and significantly increase your effectiveness in mathematics instruction!

'Shows us ways to listen and observe children and their mathematical understandings so we can find better ways to help them take their next learning steps. This book is a gift to educators who 'seek to understand before being understood' - From the Foreword by Anne Davies 'A fresh and unique resource for mathematics teachers who recognize the importance of carefully establishing the starting points of instruction in terms of what students already know. The collection of assessment probes is inventive, engaging for students, and invaluable for teachers' - Richard H. Audet, Associate Professor, Roger Williams University Use formative assessment probes to take the guesswork out of mathematics instruction and improve learning! Students learn at varying rates, and if a misconception in mathematics develops early, it may be carried from year to year and obstruct a student's progress. To identify fallacies in students' preconceived ideas, Uncovering Student Thinking in Mathematics offers educators a powerful diagnostic technique in the form of field-tested assessment probes-brief, easily administered activities to determine students' thinking on core mathematical concepts. Designed to question students' conceptual knowledge and reveal common understandings and misunderstandings, the probes generate targeted information for modifying mathematics instruction, allowing teachers to build on students' existing knowledge and individually address their identified difficulties. Linked to National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards, this invaluable handbook assists educators with: * 25 ready-to-use mathematical probes * Teacher guides for implementing each probe at any grade level * Examples of typical obstacles and faulty thinking demonstrated by students This rich resource combines standards, educational research findings, and practical craft knowledge to help teachers deliver informed instruction that strengthens all students' learning and achievement in mathematics.

"Makes an interesting and thought-provoking contribution to the field of mathematics instruction. Looking at math and literacy as closely aligned language structures creates a need to rethink the strategies used for math instruction." -Catherine Hernandez, Second-Grade Teacher Detroit Public Schools, MI "It's about time! Teaching literacy has been researched, written about, and rewritten so that it can be taught using the most effective methods for optimal learning. Little of this has transpired for mathematics. This book is very unique." -Deborah Gordon, Third-Grade Teacher Madison Simis School, Phoenix, AZ Transform the way you think about and teach elementary-level mathematics! While many teachers feel confident about their preparation and strategic repertoire for literacy instruction, some are less confident about their preparation and content depth for teaching math. Based on the idea that mathematics and reading are two subject areas more alike than different, What If Your ABCs Were Your 123s? illustrates the parallels between literacy and mathematics and helps elementary teachers take what they know about teaching literacy and apply that knowledge to strengthen their math instruction. Designed for the primary and elementary levels, this practical handbook illustrates how teachers can deepen their own mathematical understanding and improve students' achievement by providing: Teaching scenarios that model the crossover of strategies Comprehension strategies to develop and strengthen students' grasp of foundational concepts Instructional approaches to help students value mathematics and feel competent in their abilities to reason, solve problems, and communicate their thinking Student work samples illustrating literacy and math connections Gain a detailed, comprehensive understanding of the relationship between literacy and numeracy and significantly increase your effectiveness in mathematics instruction!

Formative assessment is an important strategy for improving student achievement in mathematics. This resource provides tools and examples that allow primary educators to gauge students' knowledge of core mathematics concepts and strengthen their ability to teach effectively. The authors provide 25 formative assessment probes-brief, easily administered activities targeting specific mathematics ideas and concepts-to reveal common understandings and misunderstandings in student thinking. Field-tested with teachers and students at various grade levels, these powerful diagnostic tools help teachers modify their teaching and identify areas that require more instruction.