Where's the Wonder in Elementary Math? ─ Encouraging Mathematical Reasoning in the Classroom

This book argues that even in today's high-stakes testing environment, 'teaching to the test' need not be teachers’ only focus as they introduce young children to mathematics. Judith McVarish demonstrates how building a community of learners and using problem solving to engage students can help teachers encourage students’ disposition to creative thinking and reasoning—skills that can otherwise become lost due to the pressure of the many other expectations placed upon both teachers and students. This book offers strategies for infusing mathematics learning and reasoning into elementary school classrooms while meeting curriculum and testing mandates. The teacher researcher component of each chapter provides a vehicle for teachers to bring their own expertise and questions back into the teaching and learning equation.

Judith McVarish is Assistant Professor of Mathematics Education at St. John’s University.

Series Editor Introduction
Chapter 1: SETTING THE STAGE
Chapter 2: What Does the Room Teach?
Chapter 3: Who Asks the Questions – Who Answers Them?
Chapter 4: TUNING TRANSITIOINS TO A NEW KEY
chapter 5: What is real about homework?
Chapter 6: de-fanging the test
Chapter 7: how can we take critical thinking beond the classroom?
CHAPTER 8: what do parents know?
Chapter 9: Is thinking about thinking just a play on words?