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Coaching the 5 Practices
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Coaching the 5 Practices
Supporting Mathematics Teachers in Orchestrating Productive Discussions

A co-publication with NCTM



August 2024 | 200 pages | Corwin

Ambitious teaching requires ambitious coaching

Over a decade ago, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and Corwin co-published the modern classic, 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions, aimed at guiding teachers to improve the quality of mathematics discussions in their classrooms and create an equitable learning environment for students. The bestselling series, The 5 Practices in Practice series, followed to further explore the five practices within grade bands, empowering teachers to overcome challenges in orchestrating mathematics discussions. And now, esteemed mathematics expert Peg Smith and her author team, take the 5 practices to the next level with Coaching the 5 Practices.

Written for coaches, instructional leaders, professional developers, and teacher educators, Coaching the 5 Practices: Supporting Mathematics Teachers in Orchestrating Productive Discussions will be the lynchpin to supporting teachers who are committed to engaging students in productive discussions in mathematics classrooms. The book introduces a coaching model that creates opportunities for teacher learning through one-on-one interactions with a coach. This model focuses on the specific challenges teachers face and opportunities they can lean into as they are learning to support productive mathematics discussions around the 5 practices of anticipating, monitoring, selecting, sequencing, and connecting (as well as Practice 0 of setting goals and selecting tasks).

Through three phases of a coaching cycle—before a lesson, during a lesson, and after a lesson, this coaching model

  • Focuses on ambitious teaching in mathematics, aiming to ensure that every student succeeds in high-quality academic work
  • Follows iterative cycles of various touchpoints between the coach and a teacher
  • Emphasizes what a coach needs to do to support teacher learning throughout the cycle

With narrative examples and vignettes, lesson plans, pre-lesson and post-lesson conference plans, and other artifacts collected from real coaching sessions and classrooms, Coaching the 5 Practices is a valuable resource for education professionals who work with teachers to improve the quality of mathematics instruction. Through the efforts of Coaching the 5 Practices, teachers will continue to refine their craft and become increasingly more skilled at implementing the 5 practices in ways that support the learning of each and every student.


 
Preface
 
Acknowledgements
 
About the Authors
 
Chapter 1: A Challenge-Based Approach to Coaching
 
Chapter 2: An Inquiry Routine for Guiding Coach-Teacher Conversations
 
Chapter 3: Preparing for the Lesson
 
Chapter 4: Preparing for and Engaging in the Pre-Lesson Conference
 
Chapter 5: Preparing for the Engaging in the Post-Lesson Conference
 
Chapter 6: Looking Back and Looking Ahead
 
References
 
Appendix A. Teacher Challenges Tool
 
Appendix B. Guide for Designing Conferences
 
Appendix C. Task Analysis Guide
 
Appendix D. Goal and Task Identification Guide
 
Appendix E. Lesson Planning Tool
 
Appendix F. Monitoring Tool
 
Appendix G. Pre-Lesson Conference Planning Tool
 
Appendix H: Kyle’s Teacher Challenges, Lesson Planning, and Monitoring Tools
 
Appendix I. Emery’s Teacher Challenges, Lesson Planning, and Monitoring Tools
 
Appendix J. Coach Jesse’s Pre-Lesson Conference Plan
 
Appendix K: Noticing and Wondering Tool
 
Appendix L. Post-Lesson Conference Planning Tool
 
Appendix M. Jamie and Coach Jesse’s Noticing and Wondering Tool
 
Appendix N. Coach Jesse’s Post-Conference Plan

Coaching the 5 Practices introduces us to a coaching model designed to support teachers as they plan for orchestrating productive discussions. Using this model, coaches work collaboratively with teachers as they engage in an inquiry cycle that reinforces the importance of pre-planning, reflection, and encouragement in a productive teacher-coach relationship. This user-friendly model, along with the additional tools, resources, and samples, is a welcome addition to the 5 Practices family!

Latrenda Knighten
NCTM
Baton Rouge, LA

What a gem and a “must” for every coach’s professional library. In this clearly written and wonderfully focused book, Smith, Yurekli, and Stein begin with a clear vision of “ambitious teaching” that is based on the powerful structure of the 5 Practices, and develop an accessible, example-laden guide to impactful coaching of mathematics. By focusing on the challenges teachers face, coaches are provided with a coherent process for significantly improving how math is taught.

Steve Leinwand
American Institutes for Research
Arlington, VA

I love how this book offers explicit guidance on the “how” of coaching for mathematical discourse, deeper conversations, and teaching growth. Coaching the 5 Practices offers transformational tips and features that empower both teachers and coaches. I’m excited to begin implementing this user-friendly and much needed coaching model into my practice.

Desiree Y. Harrison
Farmington Public Schools
Arlington, VA

As a 5 Practices math coach, I’ve eagerly awaited a resource like Coaching the 5 Practices. After reading, I promptly incorporated strategies—such as facilitating teachers’ reflection and setting clear goals—to enhance my coaching, all while upholding teacher ownership. The inclusion of case studies, coaching conversation scripts, and templates brought the framework to life and enabled me to visualize immediate application. This book is a must-have for all ambitious math coaches!

Mona Iehl
Chicago Math Group
Chicago, IL

This book centers teachers’ own thinking on their journeys of instructional improvement, and exudes appreciation for the wisdom of practice. This practical guide for coaching is designed with explicit attention to the parallels between ambitious teaching and coaching. The theories of teaching and learning underlying the coaching model and the model itself are rich and relevant for supporting coaches’ and teachers’ learning.

Ruth Heaton
Teachers Development Group
Portland, OR

This book presents a comprehensive coaching model designed for those supporting math teachers who are navigating challenges in implementing the 5 Practices. With its excerpts from authentic coaching conversations, readers can pause, analyze, and reflect to develop their coaching practice. A must-have, practical resource for anyone wondering how to effectively coach teachers in implementing the 5 Practices.

Jennifer Kruger
University of Rochester
Rochester, NY

Coaching the 5 Practices will be a catalyst for sense-making and deep mathematical learning in the classroom. Smith, Yurekli, and Stein outline a brilliant coaching cycle that focuses on teacher-identified challenges and incorporates video from the lesson to generate the debrief conversation. Coaches and leaders can reflect on challenging coaching scenarios and build an understanding of the tools and processes of planning for an impactful coaching cycle.

Melanie Cifonelli
Syracuse, NY

I wish I had this book when I started coaching! The model and the examples of its use are perfect for new coaches and for those of us who have been coaching for years. It offers clear, actionable steps that help us work on moving teachers to a discourse and thought based mathematics classroom that emphasizes conceptual learning and understanding.

Frederick L. Dillon
Lesley University
Strongsville, OH

The pathway to ambitious teaching is wide and long. This book helps to narrow that pathway by giving you a framework for effective coaching so teachers can shift their instructional practices to follow the 5 Practices. Use these strategies and you will facilitate deep, reflective discussions that will bring insight and relief to a teacher who needs it.

Jon Orr
Ontario, Canada