Thinking Together: 9 Beliefs for Building a Mathematical Community

By Tessa Kaplan and Rozlynn Dance

Want students to understand--really understand--and retain the math they're learning? Focus on building your classroom community first.

In Thinking Together, veteran teachers Rozlynn Dance and Tessa Kaplan explore nine beliefs that lead to a powerful community of learners. When students are part of a classroom where they feel valued and included, they are more likely to take risks, ask questions, and grow exponentially as mathematicians.

Rozlynn and Tessa tell us, "We must create a kind, caring, trusting community of learners who feel comfortable tackling the unknown, taking risks, and making mistakes." This book doesn't pretend teaching is simple--instead, it celebrates the potential in the everyday messiness of learning together. Each chapter includes:

opportunities to reflect on your practice through an exploration of beliefs such as "Mistakes are great " and "It's not just about the answer" practical guidance for building your classroom community through student-centered strategies and classroom examples "When Things Don't Seem to be Working" sections for troubleshooting common challenges and adapting to teaching that doesn't go as planned. An environment fine-tuned for learning creates conditions in which your students can thrive as mathematical thinkers. Thinking Together will help shape your beliefs about what it means to be a learning community and provide support for building those beliefs into your classroom.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0325098182
• ISBN13: 9780325098180
• Release Date: February 2018
• Publisher: Heinemann Educational Books
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 7.3" x 9.2"
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 5