Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers with Activities -- MyLab Math with Pearson eText Access Code

"Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers with Activities" by Sybilla Beckmann is a comprehensive textbook designed to help prospective teachers develop a deep understanding of mathematics and its pedagogy. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Foundational Understanding: The book connects the foundations of K-8 mathematics to the underlying reasons and justifications for standard procedures and formulas. It explains why these procedures are valid and why nonstandard methods can also be valid, fostering a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

2. Active Student Engagement: The text incorporates various classroom activities, problems, and narratives to foster active student engagement in mathematical practices. This approach encourages students to participate in learning through interactive exercises and discussions.

3. CCSS Standards: The book addresses the K-8 CCSS for Mathematical Content from a teacher's perspective. It includes references to specific CCSS standards in the margins, helping teachers connect content to these standards.

4. Visual Representations: The text utilizes visual representations such as number lines, double number lines, strip diagrams, and base-ten drawings to help prospective teachers explain mathematical ideas, solution methods, and standard notation.

5. Organization and Emphasis: The book organizes its content around mathematical operations rather than different types of numbers, providing a more unified and advanced perspective. It emphasizes key concepts and principles, guiding prospective teachers in giving clear explanations.

Plot Summary

The book is structured to cover various topics in elementary and middle school mathematics, including numbers and the base-ten system, fractions, and problem-solving strategies. Each chapter is designed to help prospective teachers understand how mathematical ideas develop across grade levels. The text includes:

• Chapters on Numbers and the Base-Ten System: Exploring counting numbers, decimals, negative numbers, reasoning to compare numbers, and reasoning about rounding.
• Chapters on Fractions and Problem Solving: Defining and reasoning about fractions, equivalent fractions, and comparing fractions.

Critical Reception

The book has received positive reviews for its approach to teaching mathematics education. Here are some key points from available reviews:

• Helpful but Not Comprehensive: Some readers have noted that the book provides helpful descriptions but may not cover all topics comprehensively. It is particularly useful for understanding certain topics but may require additional resources for a complete grasp.
• Effective for Teacher Training: The book is praised for its ability to help prospective teachers develop a deep understanding of mathematics and its pedagogy. It is known for its contributions to mathematics education and its emphasis on explaining why mathematical procedures are valid.

Overall, "Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Teachers with Activities" by Sybilla Beckmann is a valuable resource for prospective teachers looking to develop a comprehensive understanding of K-8 mathematics and its teaching methods.