Active Experiences for Active Children Mathematics

by Seefeldt, Carol; Galper, Alice; Stevenson-Garcia, Judi

• ISBN13: 9780132373340
• ISBN10: 0132373343
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-08-04
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Intended for use in childcare, preschool, Head Start, and with children in kindergarten and early primary grades, the latest in the Active Experiencesseries is based on the most recent, nationally recognized research regarding children's approaches to learning as well as current NCTM curriculum guidelines for mathematics. The content is clear and concise, with practically applied chapters on ways to guide children's mathematical thinking and learning. Key topics involve group work, investigations, and projects; are grounded in children's interests and needs; and, build, one upon the other to form a coherent learning curriculum. Additionally, each reflects the most recent standards of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This edition has been thoroughly revised to include updated Home-School Connectionfeatures that illustrate various ways to support children's daily learning of mathematics; more developmentally appropriate and intentional assessment guidance than ever before; research-based guides explaining children's cognitive and skill development in all math content areas, based on the Learning Trajectories Approach; and a new technology resource found at the end of every chapter.

Table of Contents

PART ONE     THEORY OF ACTIVE EXPERIENCES

 

 1      Experiences and Mathematics in Early Childhood: Theory into Practice

            Deep Personal Meaning

                Firsthand Experiences

                Initiative, Choices, and Decision Making

                Developmentally Appropriate

                Content with Meaning and Integrity

            Involving Others

                Play

                Group Work and Projects

                Interactions with Teachers and Other Adults

            Covered with Language

            Continuity of Learning

            Time to Reflect

                Organization

                Observation and Assessment

            Summary

 

2      Active Children, Active Environments

            The Essentials

                Beauty

                Space

                Aesthetics

            Indoor Spaces

                Integrating Spaces

                Math or Manipulative Areas

                Science Areas

                Art Centers

                Woodworking Centers

                Book and Library Centers

                Sociodramatic Play Areas

                Block Areas

                Water and Sand Areas

                Music Areas

                Computer Stations

                Quiet Spaces

            Outdoor Spaces

                Math/Science and Nature Discovery Areas

                Art Spaces

                Physical Spaces

                Other Spaces

                Planning for Inclusion

            The Teacher’s Role

            Summary

 

3      Building Connections to Home and Community Through Active Experiences

            Out into the School

                Inside the School Building

                Outside in the Natural Environment

            Out into the Neighborhood and Community

                Basic Guidelines for Meaningful Field Experiences

            Building Connections with the Neighborhood and Community

                The Neighborhood as a Mathematics Laboratory

                Neighborhood Resources

            The Home—School Connection

            Summary

 

4      Connecting Everyday Experiences with Mathematical Content

            Knowledge of Children

            Knowledge of the Subject Matter: Mathematics

                Principles for Teaching Mathematics

                NCTM Standards

                Curriculum Focal Points and Connections

            Using Knowledge of Mathematics to Guide Children’s Development

            Expanding and Extending Firsthand Experiences

            Summary

 

Part TWO     Guides to Active Experiences

 

5      Developing Ideas of Number and Operations

            For the Teacher

                What You’ll Need to Know

                Key Concepts

                Goals and Objectives

                What You’ll Need

                The Home—School Connection

                Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

            For the Children

                Learning About Numbers and Counting

                Reflecting

                Extending and Expanding to the Primary Grades

            Tear-Out Sheets

 

6      Learning the Basic Concepts of Algebra

            For the Teacher

                What You’ll Need to Know

                Key Concepts

                Goals and Objectives

                What You’ll Need

                The Home—School Connection

                Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

            For the Children

                Learning Algebraic Concepts

                Reflecting

                Extending and Expanding to the Primary Grades

            Tear-Out Sheets

 

7      Developing Geometric and Spatial Thinking Skills  

            For the Teacher

                What You’ll Need to Know

                Key Concepts

                Goals and Objectives

                What You’ll Need

                The Home—School Connection

                Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

            For the Children

                Exploring Geometry

                Reflecting

                Extending and Expanding to the Primary Grades

            Tear-Out Sheets

    

8        Learning the Basic Concepts of Measurement

            For the Teacher

                What You’ll Need to Know

                Key Concepts

                Goals and Objectives

                What You’ll Need

                The Home—School Connection

                Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

            For the Children

                Measuring

                Extending and Expanding to the Primary Grades

            Tear-Out Sheets

    

9        Data Description, Organization, Representation, and Analysis

            For the Teacher

                 What You’ll Need to Know

                Key Concepts

                Goals and Objectives

                What You’ll Need

                The Home—School Connection

                Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

            For the Children

                Collecting and Analyzing Data

                Reflecting

                Extending and Expanding to the Primary Grades

    

10      Learning to Problem-Solve

            For the Teacher

                What You’ll Need to Know

                Key Concepts

                Goals and Objectives

                What You’ll Need

                The Home—School Connection

                Documenting and Assessing Children’s Learning

            For the Children

                Project Work

                Extending and Expanding to the Primary Grades

            Tear-Out Sheets

 

References

 

Children’s Books

 

Resources

 

Index