Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching the Small Group: (Small-Group Instruction Strategies to Differentiate Math Lessons in Elementary Classrooms)

by Juli K. Dixon, Lisa A. Brooks, Melissa R. Carli

Overview

When done right, small-group instruction is a powerful tool for facilitating student understanding in K-5 mathematics. Throughout the book, best practices for small-group math instruction are addressed in detail, from planning tasks that encourage deep understanding to asking effective questions to engaging learners in meaningful conversations. Readers will learn how teaching mathematics in small groups allows you to differentiate instruction for both remediation and enrichment. The included small-group instruction videos demonstrate the suggested strategies in a real-classroom setting, giving readers the opportunity to see best practice in action.

Develop math-specific instruction strategies for teaching small groups in elementary school:

• Explore the benefits of small-group math activities and how these activities are unique compared to large-group instruction.
• Discover the teacher's and students' roles in small-group instruction and how teachers can help students develop the skills to fulfill their role.
• Learn how to apply the general tasks, questions, and evidence (TQE) process to small-group instruction in order to enhance student learning and improve your knowledge of teaching mathematics.
• View examples of small-group instruction, which provide both math intervention and math enrichment activities for different students.

Contents:
Acknowledgments
Table of Contents
About the Authors
Introduction
Chapter 1: Best Practices in Small-Group Instruction
Chapter 2: The TQE Process in Small-Group Instruction
Chapter 3: Discourse in Small-Group Instruction
Epilogue: How to Tie It All Together
References
Index

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781947604049
Publisher:	Solution Tree Press
Publication date:	07/13/2018
Series:	Every Student Can Learn Mathematics
Pages:	96
Sales rank:	176,583
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.30(d)

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Whether you've been teaching in small groups for years or are looking for structures to help you get started, Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching the Small Group has ideas and tools to help you improve instruction. The authors provide thoughtful examples, including what teachers and students should be doing while working in small groups, ideas on how to support students without doing the thinking for them (via a comparison of just-in-case scaffolding and just-in-time scaffolding), and even instruction on how to set up a group's norm so that more time is spent discussing the tasks at hand. This book is a great companion for all mathematics teachers looking to facilitate small-group instruction."

—Robert Kaplinsky, teacher specialist (mathematics), Downey Unified School District, California

"Leading effective small groups is both important and challenging work for teachers. How, when, and why do we lead small-group instruction so that students experience themselves as capable and confident mathematicians? Juli K. Dixon, Lisa A. Brooks, and Melissa R. Carli have written a book that will give readers tools, resources, and practical guidelines for making the most of small-group instruction. Their vivid examples bring these ideas to life and will help you grow your practice in powerful ways."

—Elham Kazemi, professor of math and science education, College of Education, University of Washington

"This book addresses a huge need in elementary math classrooms! It shows teachers clear and effective strategies to continue to use small-group instruction but in a more effective way that will benefit student learning of mathematics. It would be easy to implement a book study with a group of teachers, since the videos are so engaging and would elicit wonderful teacher discussions. The quantity and variety of videos make the use of best practices come alive for teachers and provide clear models for instructional improvement."

—Laura Hunovice, elementary mathematics resource teacher, Carroll County, Maryland