Little Kids-Powerful Problem Solvers: Math Stories from a Kindergarten Classroom

by Fulwiler, Betsy Rupp

• ISBN13: 9780325004310
• ISBN10: 0325004315
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-15
• Publisher: Heinemann

Summary

This collection of stories from Angela Andrew's classroom highlights the problem-solving potential of very young students. With every story, Andrews provides not only a narrative, but also a thoughtful appraisal of her own decisions, dilemmas, and choices in the teaching of math. At the end of each story, Paul Trafton focuses on the math involved and the mathematical reasoning of the children

Author Biography

ANGELA ANDREWS has spent more than 25 years teaching preschool and kindergarten. In 1990, she received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. She was a member of the preK2 writing team for NCTMs Principles and Standards for School Mathematics (2000). Angela currently teaches mathematics at Scott Elementary School in Naperville, Illinois.PAUL TRAFTON is a professor in the mathematics department and Fellow in the Regent's Center for Early Developmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa. His long-term interest in primary mathematics led to his chairing the K-4 writing team of the Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics (NCTM, 1989).

Table of Contents

Foreword	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
About the Book	xvii
Little Kids---Powerful Problem Solvers	3	(8)
Mathematical Capabilities of Young Children	3	(1)
Characteristics of Classrooms	4	(2)
Kindergartens as Mathematical Learning Sites	6	(2)
The Role of Play in Developing Mathematical Competence	8	(1)
Summary	8	(3)
September---Which Holds More?	11	(8)
Setting the Stage	11	(1)
The Lession	12	(3)
Looking Back	15	(1)
About the Mathematics	16	(3)
October----The Dilemma of Sharing Cookies	19	(8)
Setting the Stage	19	(1)
The Lesson	20	(4)
Looking Back	24	(1)
About the Mathematics	24	(3)
November---It's Not Fair! They've Got More Blocks	27	(10)
Setting the Stage	27	(1)
The Lesson	28	(3)
Looking Back	31	(1)
About the Mathematics	32	(5)
December---When Is a ``Triangle'' a Triangle?	37	(10)
Setting the Stage	37	(1)
The Lesson	38	(4)
Looking Back	42	(1)
About the Mathematics	43	(4)
January---Soup with Chicken Inside	47	(8)
Setting the Stage	47	(1)
The Lesson	47	(4)
Looking Back	51	(1)
About the Mathematics	52	(3)
February---The Secret of the Hearts	55	(8)
Setting the Stage	55	(1)
The Story	56	(4)
Looking Back	60	(1)
About the Mathematics	61	(2)
March---Ms. McGill's Challenge	63	(10)
Setting the Stage	63	(1)
The Lesson	64	(4)
Looking Back	68	(1)
About the Mathematics	69	(4)
April---Aaron and the Tall Tower	73	(10)
Setting the Stage	73	(1)
The Investigation	74	(4)
Looking Back	78	(1)
About the Mathematics	79	(4)
May---``Dear Bus Barn''	83	(10)
Setting the Stage	83	(1)
The Problem	83	(7)
Looking Back	90	(1)
About the Mathematics	91	(2)
June---Revisiting the Rice Table	93	(10)
Setting the Stage	93	(1)
The Lesson	93	(7)
Looking Back	100	(1)
About the Mathematics	101	(2)
References	103