Elementary Mathematics Pedagogical Content Knowledge Powerful Ideas for Teachers

by Schwartz, James E.

• ISBN13: 9780205493753
• ISBN10: 0205493750
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-05-29
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

"This book would be a great tool for helping [todayrs"s future elementary teachers] acquire a ls"gut levelrs" understanding of mathematics concepts." - Hester Lewellen, Baldwin-Wallace College, OH "Thewriting in this text is very clear and would easily be understood by the intended audience. The real-world examples put the various math concepts into a context that iseasily understood. The vignettes at the beginning of each chapter are interesting and they get the reader to begin thinking about the math concepts that will follow. Each of the chapters seem to build on one another and the author often refers back to activities and concepts from previous chapters which ismeaningful to the readerbecause it lets the reader know that the information they are learning builds their conceptual understanding of other mathematical concepts. " - Melany L. Rish, University of South Carolina, Aiken Organized around five key concepts or "powerful ideas" in mathematics, this book presents elementary mathematics content in a concise and nonthreatening manner for teachers. Designed to sharpen teachersrs" mathematics pedagogical content knowledge, the friendly writing style and vignettes relate math concepts to "real life" situations so that they may better present the content to their students. The five "powerful ideas" (composition, decomposition, relationships, representation, and context) provide an organizing framework and highlight the interconnections between mathematics topics. In addition, the book thoroughly integrates discussion of the five NCTM process strands. Features: Icons highlighting theNCTM process standardsappear throughout the book to indicate where the text relates to each of these. Practice exercises and activitiesand their explanations reinforce math concepts presented in the book and provide an opportunity for reflection and practice. Concise, conversational chaptersand opening vignettes present math contents simply enough for even the most math-anxious pre-service teachers.

Author Biography

James Schwartz is currently an Associate Professor of Education at Ralph C. Wilson School of Education, St. John Fisher College. He has a rich experience as both an elementary teacher and teacher-educator. James has contributed to various texts including Essentials of Educational Technology 1/e, (Allyn and Bacon, 1999); Essentials of Elementary Mathematics 2/e, (Allyn and Bacon, 1999); and Teaching Elementary School Mathematics 6/e, (Allyn and Bacon, 1996).

Table of Contents

Most chapters include ""Preview,""

""Chapter Review,""

""Self-Check,""

""Selected References, ""Online Activities"" and ""Activities and Exercises""

Introduction

The changing landscape of elementary mathematics teaching and learning

A distinction between conceptual knowledge and procedural knowledge

Problem-focused teaching

Communication in a mathematics classroom

Reasoning

Patterns and Change

Mathematical connections

The Powerful ideas: Composition, Decomposition, Relationships, Representation, and Conte

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