"Mathematical Thinking: From Assessment Items to Challenging Tasks" is a compilation of 36 problem-based lessons that encourage students to engage in productive struggle and deep thinking. Its 36 full-length lessons for grades 2-8 are each inspired by an actual test item from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).…

As current mathematics standards, such as the Common Core, are being implemented throughout the United States, it has become evident that teachers need support to enact the tenets of those standards. To help in this endeavor, this article was published as a guideline to emphasize to mathematics education stakeholders that "effective teaching…

"Solving the Unknown with Algebra" is a new math program aligned with the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards and designed to help students practice pre-algebra skills including using formulas, solving for unknowns, and manipulating equations. Developed by The Actuarial Foundation with Scholastic, this program provides…

This new addition to Math Solutions "Supporting English Language Learners in Math Class series" offers a wealth of lessons and strategies for modifying grades 6-8 instruction. Section I presents an overview of teaching math to English learners: the research, the challenges, the linguistic demands of a math lesson, and specific strategies and…

Teachers know that Differentiated Instruction (DI) helps all students to learn. Yet DI challenges teachers, and nowhere more than in mathematics. In this new book, written specifically for secondary mathematics teachers, the authors cut through the difficulties with two powerful and universal strategies that teachers can use across all math…

Using differentiated instruction in the classroom can be a challenge, especially when teaching mathematics. This book cuts through the difficulties with two powerful and universal strategies that teachers can use across all math content: Open Questions and Parallel Tasks. Specific strategies and examples for grades Kindergarten - 8 are organized…

This teacher guide helps build a solid foundation in algebra for students in grades 3-5 in which students gain essential understanding of properties of numbers, variables, functions, equations, and formulas. Throughout the problem solving activities, students use computational skills and gain a deeper understanding of the number system. Students…

Identifies and addresses fundamental ideas that build the foundations of algebraic thinking and reasoning. Focuses on developing appropriate instructional approaches to these concepts. Explains what is meant by "composite unit" and how this concept framed the development of an instructional sequence to help students make sense of and find meaning…

Introduces an algebra lesson plan on two people saving money over the course of a week and the problems they encounter for early elementary school students. (YDS)

Presents an activity that explores the completion of squares from the geometric point of view. (ASK)

Proves that there really are people who use algebra in their jobs and that there are issues in society that require an understanding of mathematical concepts and processes which can be taught in an Algebra I class. Provides real-life situations and activities that use algebra. (ASK)

Explores an unexpected connection between a function, its inverse, and the arithmetic mean, algebraically and graphically. (MM)

Shows how sequenced learning activities can help students build conceptual bridges from arithmetic to algebra. Focuses on understanding equivalent algebraic expressions, an area in which U.S. students scored poorly on the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). (YDS)

Provides activities that support students as they develop their intuitive notions of graphs. Activities help students describe the relationships expressed in the graphs and make generalizations about inferences on the basis of the visual image. (ASK)

Takes the concept of using a geometrical or visual approach to teach algebraic concepts and extends it to connect with the section on binomial expansion by using three dimensional objects. (ASK)