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Uncovering Student Thinking in Mathematics
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Uncovering Student Thinking in Mathematics
25 Formative Assessment Probes

Edited by:
  • Cheryl M. Rose - Tobey Education Group, LLC, Education Development Center, Newton, MA
  • Leslie Minton - Math Matters, University of Southern Maine, USA
  • Carolyn Arline - Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance

Foreword by Anne Davies


December 2006 | 200 pages | Corwin
"Uncovering Student Thinking in Mathematics shows us ways to listen and observe children and their mathematical understandings so we can find better ways to help them take their next learning steps. This book is a gift to educators who 'seek to understand before being understood.'"
—From the Foreword by Anne Davies

"A fresh and unique resource for mathematics teachers who recognize the importance of carefully establishing the starting points of instruction in terms of what students already know. The collection of assessment probes is inventive, engaging for students, and invaluable for teachers."
—Richard H. Audet, Associate Professor, Roger Williams University

Use formative assessment probes to take the guesswork out of mathematics instruction and improve learning!

Students learn at varying rates, and if a misconception in mathematics develops early, it may be carried from year to year and obstruct a student's progress. To identify fallacies in students' preconceived ideas, Uncovering Student Thinking in Mathematics offers educators a powerful diagnostic technique in the form of field-tested assessment probes—brief, easily administered activities to determine students' thinking on core mathematical concepts.

Designed to question students' conceptual knowledge and reveal common understandings and misunderstandings, the probes generate targeted information for modifying mathematics instruction, allowing teachers to build on students' existing knowledge and individually address their identified difficulties.

Linked to National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards, this invaluable handbook assists educators with:

  • 25 ready-to-use mathematical probes
  • Teacher guides for implementing each probe at any grade level
  • Examples of typical obstacles and faulty thinking demonstrated by students

This rich resource combines standards, educational research findings, and practical craft knowledge to help teachers deliver informed instruction that strengthens all students' learning and achievement in mathematics.


 
Foreword by Anne Davies
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
1. Mathematics Assessment Probes
 
2. Instructional Implications
 
3. Number and Operation Assessment Probes
 
4. Algebra, Data Analysis, and Probability Assessment Probes
 
5. Geometry and Measurement Assessment Probes
 
Resource A: Template for QUEST Cycle
 
References
 
Index

"A fresh and unique resource for mathematics teachers who recognize the importance of carefully establishing the starting points of instruction in terms of what students already know.  The collection of assessment probes is inventive, engaging for students, and invaluable for teachers."

Richard H. Audet, Associate Professor
Roger Williams University

"Shows us ways to listen and observe children and their mathematical understandings so we can find better ways to help them take their next learning steps. This book is a gift to educators who 'seek to understand before being understood.'"

From the Foreword by Anne Davies

“This resource for K–12 mathematics educators is exactly what the title suggests: It contains 25 formative assessment probes that can be used to drive instruction. This book is easy to read and implement.”

Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School, February 2008, Vol. 13(6)

“The probes in this book give teachers a basis for beginning assessments as well as a guide for assessing manipulatives and activities, not just paper-and-pencil tasks. The guide helps teachers understand student thinking and welcomes deeper understanding and mastery of topics. It is also easy to use with parents to show students’ thinking and to justify grades.”

Teaching Children Mathematics, February 2008, Vol. 14(6)
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Key features
  • Probes and teacher guides cover all grade levels
  • Student examples show readers the typical obstacles and faulty thinking they are likely to encounter
  • Combines standards, educational research findings, and practical craft knowledge
  • Linked to NCTM standards

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