What Successful Math Teachers Do, Grades 6-12: 79 Research-Based Strategies for the Standards-Based Classroom [Paperback]

Alfred S. Posamentier (Editor), Daniel Jaye (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1412916194 | ISBN-13: 978-1412916196 | Publication Date: November 18, 2005 | Edition: 1

The research-based strategies in this easy-to-navigate guide will help students master the content and skills recommended by the NCTM standards.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I love the format of the strategies, research, standards, applications, and pitfalls-so easy to follow." (Deborah Gordon, Teacher )

"A great resource for math teachers to fine tune the strategies they are currently using. I wouldn’t need much encouragement to recommend it to a colleague who is new to the field and is currently having problems in any of the areas covered in the book." (Kimberly C. Smith, Teacher )

"A unique opportunity to really help new and novice teachers." (M. Brad Patzer, Teacher )

"The strategies are understandable and easy to implement...honest and reality based, not preachy versions of what could be." (Charles Espalin, Director, School Counseling Program )

"For the secondary mathematics teacher, the combination of practical tips confirmed by educational research provides a much-needed addition to our arsenal of instructional tools. Particularly for new teachers, this book is like having a colleague with years of experience always at your side." (Linda Curtis-Bey, Director of Mathematics )

About the Author

Alfred S. Posamentier is professor of mathematics education and dean of the School of Education at the City College of the City University of New York. He has authored and co-authored several resource books in mathematics education for Corwin Press.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Corwin Press; 1 edition (November 18, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1412916194
• ISBN-13: 978-1412916196
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,136 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alfred S. Posamentier (River Vale, NJ) is the dean of the School of Education and professor of mathematics education at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY. He was formerly the dean of the School of Education and professor of mathematics education at the City College of New York. He has published over forty-five books in the area of mathematics and mathematics education, including The Pythagorean Theorem: The Story of Its Power and Beauty; Math Charmers: Tantalizing Tidbits for the Mind; and (with Ingmar Lehmann) Mathematical Amazements and Surprises; The Fabulous Fibonacci Numbers; and Pi: A Biography of the World's Most Mysterious Number.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Variation of "Tips for the Mathematics Teacher", July 8, 2007

By 

Jill C. Loveridge (Camas, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Successful Math Teachers Do, Grades 6-12: 79 Research-Based Strategies for the Standards-Based Classroom (Hardcover)

This book is essentially the same as "Tips for the Mathematics Teacher". Unfortunately, I did not know that before I purchased both online. The difference between the two books appears to be that the "Successful Math Teacher" also contains the NCTM standards that each strategy is supporting. Between the two, I prefer "What Successful Teachers Do". The book is very interesting and practical. Each strategy is supported by research and practical applications. I was happy to see that I was already using many of these strategies already and there are a few I plan to integrate into my teaching in the fall!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "First Days of School" & "Tools for Teaching" for a math teacher, March 12, 2008

By 

J. Li "SJ,CA Teacher" (Sunnyvale, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: What Successful Math Teachers Do, Grades 6-12: 79 Research-Based Strategies for the Standards-Based Classroom (Paperback)

If you have read "The First Days of School" or "Tools for Teaching", but then thought to yourself, "yeah, but what about in a math class?", this book sort of answers that question. Most of the material has little to do with being a math teacher and more to do with being a teacher. Classroom management, teaching techniques such as graphic organizers, student learning through inquiry: these are all great teaching techniques. The examples and applications provided are of varying quality, and sometimes the authors even tell you to look at another resource for more detailed information! In this sense, the text is more like an index of education research with easily digested summaries. Some may enjoy the brevity, some may find it rather annoying.

The format of the book will appeal to math teachers. Each topic is structured the same way, although some topics do not even have the application piece. Let's think for a moment about what is being offered: 79 topics over 178 pages (the rest are refs and the index) - just over 2 pages a topic! Not much depth to each topic, is there?

I am a high school math teacher with 3 years of experience, so I am not a new teacher, but I'm not an experienced teacher either. This might have been more helpful as a 1st year teacher. On the other hand, there are so many topics, it might easily create some anxiety in a new teacher that there are so many things to think about! I would say the best way to use the book is to look up topics of specific concern to you, read the section, then see if there are specific references or other books that address that particular area. This requires some humility and self-reflection. Often we don't see our own weaknesses. Perhaps the best way to find weaknesses would be to survey your own students, then read up on a related topic and see what changes you can make.

I found the examples for pedagogy related topics particularly disappointing. Maybe Posamentier's other books cover that area in more detail? I was quite excited to peruse this book. Now I'm glad I checked it out from the library.

Overall, useful but short snippets on all aspects of teaching. If you're looking for more ideas on how to shake up your pedagogy, look elsewhere.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Helpful Book for a Young Teacher, February 12, 2006

By 

Centroid314 - See all my reviews

This review is from: What Successful Math Teachers Do, Grades 6-12: 79 Research-Based Strategies for the Standards-Based Classroom (Paperback)

This book is a terrific guide for an inexperienced teacher like myself. The strategies are provacative yet simple to employ. The authors also point out some of the "pitfalls" in implementing the strategies. All in all, I really like the book because it gets right to the heart of classroom instruction and does not dwell on educational theories, just practical hints that are gleaned from them. I have already improved my teaching after implementing just a few of the tips. I recommend this book highly.