Books Mainly for Teachers

Burns, M. ( 2000). About teaching mathematics, 2nd edition. Sausalito, CA: Math Solutions Publications.
Marilyn Burns, guru of student-centered math instruction, offers great examples of student work, student-teacher interactions, and interesting problems. This great teacher resource offers plenty of hands-on activities and is especially useful for working with beginner math students.

Dewdney, A.K. (1993). 200% of nothing. New York: John Wiley.
Do statistics lie? Read this book and see what you think. The examples in this book startle the reader and make statistics come alive. Even better, teachers can pick up this book and dip into it as time permits--a great gift to the busy teacher.

Driscoll, M. (1999). Fostering algebraic thinking: A guide for teachers grades 6-10. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
Driscoll helps teachers organize their thinking about algebra. He's erudite, but readable. By organizing algebraic thinking into several main categories of development, he offers an overview of the subject that we don't find in classroom books. Driscoll also includes some top-notch problems as well as useful information about questioning and student understanding.

Flansburg, S. (1994). Math magic. New York: HarperPerrennial.
Math Magic offers alternative methods of computation in a fun and engaging format.

Gal, I., ed. (2000). Adult numeracy development: Theory, research, practice. New Jersey: Hampton Press.
Iddo Gal has performed a great service to ABE by compiling this series of articles by practitioners and researchers practicing around the world. He helps us examine what is known about how adults learn math and how to nurture that learning. This is a great basic resource for anyone who wants to improve classroom teaching.

Greenes, C., Schulman, L. and Spungin, R. (1989). I hate mathematics book. Boston: Little Brown.
The fun and interesting problems in this book will appeal to people who think they "hate" math.

Gustein, E. and B. Peterson. (2005). Rethinking mathematics: Teaching social justice by the numbers. Milwaukee, WI: Rethinking Schools.
".more than 30 articles show how to weave social justice issues throughout the mathematics curriculum, as well as how to integrate math into other curricular areas.(this book( offers teaching ideas, lesson plans, and reflections by practitioners and mathematics educators. This is real world math-math that helps students analyze social problems as they gain essential academic skills.

Kilpatrick, J., Swafford, J., and Findell, B., eds. (2001). Adding it up: Helping children learn mathematics. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Add this book to your basic reference library; it's a keeper! The various chapters help clarify the development of mathematical thinking, particularly as it relates to number sense and operations. We get to see the concepts behind the algorithms we often blindly accept (or teach!).

Ma, L. (1999). Knowing and teaching elementary mathematics: Teachers understanding of fundamental mathematics in China and the United States. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Ma strikingly reveals the complexities underlying simple operations by reporting how teachers from the U.S. and China respond to basic computation problems. The chapter on division of fractions is particularly interesting. What Ma tells us about Chinese education and concepts of curriculum broadens our understanding of math instruction. This is readable research at its best.

Mokros, J., Russell, S.J., Economopoulos, K. (1995). Beyond arithmetic: Changing mathematics in the elementary classroom. Palo Alto, CA: Dale Seymour Publications.
This slim volume offers a great deal to think about regarding what and how we teach mathematics. The power of conceptual thinking and the power of number sense over algorithmic memorization get clearly articulated by the authors of Beyond Arithmetic.

Starmark, J., Thompson, V., and Cossey, R. (1986). Family math. (Equals Series) Berkeley, CA: University of California Lawrence Hall of Science.
Add your comments here: Great activities for every age in an easy-to-use format.

Scieszka, J. (1995). Math curse. New York: Viking Juvenile.
This engaging children's book provides a perfect way to link math and literacy (and get a good chuckle in the process). The main character finds that math, like some songs, can take over your mind. From the cover."Did you ever wake up to one of those days where everything is problem? You have 10 things to do, but only 30 minutes until your bus leaves. Is there enough time? You have 3 shirts and 2 pairs of pants. Can you make one good outfit? Then you start to wonder: Why does everything have to be such a problem? Why do 2 apples always have to be added to 5 oranges? Why do 4 kids always have to divide 12 marbles? Why can't you just keep 10 cookies without someone taking 3 away? Why? Because you're the victim of a Math Curse. That's why. But don't despair. This is one girl's story of how that curse can be broken."

Tobias, S. (1993). Overcoming math anxiety. New York: W.W. Norton.
In this classic text, Tobias offers insight into math anxiety and includes tools to explore students' attitudes toward math. She helps us understand why it's so important to address affective, as well as cognitive needs in the classroom.

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Books for Students

Cohen, S. (2003) Figure it out: Thinking like a math problem solver (Grades 1-6, English and Spanish editions). North Billerica, MA: Curriculum Associates.
According to the publishers' description of this series: "Students learn to apply eight strategies in each book, including: draw a picture; use a pattern; work backward; make a table; act it out; use a model; guess and check; make a list Each strategy lesson begins with a problem modeled and directed by the teacher, followed by thought-provoking questions that lead to solving the problem. With guided practice, students apply the strategy to another problem. This empowers them to independently apply the strategy to the next questions. A mixed-practice lesson reinforces every four strategy lessons."

Greenes, C., Immerzeel, G., et al. 1993. TOPS (Techniques of Problem Solving Grades K-12, graded texts.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Dale Seymour Publications.
Includes: TOPS Beginning Problem Solving; Communication Card Decks; Problem Resource books; Problem-Solving Decks; Problem-Solving Skill Sheets; and Calculator Problem Decks. Retrieved from the Web site March 3, 2006: "The TOPS series... uses a student-friendly format that helps build problem-solving skills. TOPS explores problems that require the application of a variety of mathematical concepts and solution strategies at different ability levels and interests." Order from: k12catalog.pearson.com/program_multiple.cfm?site_id=11&discipline_id=3097&subarea_id=3133&program_id=193".

Johnson, B. (2004). Market math. Scottsdale, AZ: Remedia Publications.
Especially suitable for low-level readers, this student book teaches teaches the basics of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division through the use of real-life shopping situations.

Lee, M. and Miller, M. (2004). Menu math. Scottsdale, AZ: Remedia Publications.
Especially suitable for low-level readers, this book teaches simple addition, subtraction, and multiplication through the use of real-life restaurant situations.

Manly, M. (2002). The GED problem solver. Chicago: Contemporary Books.
This student book combines instruction with test taking practice, including a a full-length GED mathematics practice test. Includes test taking practice.

Rasmussen, S. (1991). Key to fractions (Books 1-4). Emeryville, CA: Key Curriculum Press.
From the Web site, Retrieved Feb 22, 2006: "Key to Fractions covers all topics from basic concepts to mixed numbers and is written with secondary students in mind. Minimal reading is required, so students can easily work independently or in small groups.

Suter,I., Osmus, K, and Van Slyke, C. (2003). The meaning of fractions. Chicago: Contemporary Books.
This title is part of Contemporary's Number Sense series.

Suter,I., Osmus, K, and Van Slyke, C. (2003). The meaning of percent. Chicago: Contemporary Books.
This title is part of Contemporary's Number Sense series.

TERC. EMPower. [date]. Emeryville, CA: Key Curriculum Press.
empower.terc.edu
Retrieved from the TERC Web site March 6, 2006: "EMPower helps adults develop mathematical proficiency by combining the best teaching practices of the past two decades with insights culled from educational research and classroom practice. (The series) focuses on mathematical reasoning, communication, and problem solving with strategies and approaches designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of learning styles. Each unit includes activities with clear mathematical goals and contexts that are engaging and useful for adult learners. Student and teacher texts available." Titles include: Many Points Make a Point: Data and Graphs; Seeking Patterns, Building Rules: Algebraic Thinking; Over, Around, and Within: Geometry and Measurement; Using Benchmarks: Fractions, Decimals, and Percents; Split It Up: More Fractions, Decimals, and Percents; Everyday Number Sense: Mental Math and Visual Models; Keeping Things in Proportion: Reasoning with Ratios; Operations Sense: Even More Fractions, Decimals, and Percents.

Traister, J. and Chapman, K. ( 2005). Building contractor's exam preparation guide. Carlsbad, CA: Craftsman Book Company.
This guide offers practical geometry problems and is helpful and engaging for students with carpentry experience. Order from: craftsman-book.com

Sources for Manipulatives, Games, and Related Items

Classroom Direct
www.classroomdirect.com
Classroom Direct is a great one-stop resource for math teachers. From this site, you can order manipulatives such as cusiniare rods, pattern blocks, and the like. In addition, you can find place value stack sets, number puzzle boards, visual counters, geoboards, play money, and games. Flash cards and drill cards are also available here, along with drawing instruments, workbooks, graphing supplies, and more.

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Math Journals and Publications

Note: Following four titles are publications of the National Council Teachers of Mathematics. For more information and to download articles (NCTM members only), go to: www.nctm.org/publications

Journal for Research in Mathematics Education
Promotes and disseminates disciplined scholarly inquiry into the teaching and learning of mathematics at all levels, including research reports, book reviews, and commentaries. This publication is especially suited to the more scholarly minded among us. Cutting edge research opens the door to new ways of thinking.

Mathematics Teacher
Offers activities, lesson ideas, teaching strategies, and problems through in-depth articles, departments, and features.

Mathematics Teaching in the Middle School
Offers activities, lesson ideas, teaching strategies, and problems through in-depth articles, departments, and features. Most helpful for pre-GED and GED teachers.

Online Journal for School Mathematics (ON-Math)
Provides a broad range of ideas for teaching and learning math at any level.

Other Math Journals and Newsletters

Field Notes (Special math issues)
www.sabes.org/resources/publications/fieldnotes/vol16/fn161.pdf  
The Fall/Winter 2006 issue of SABES's own newsletter.

www.sabes.org/resources/publications/fieldnotes/vol11/fn112.htm
The Fall 2001 issue.

Focus on Basics (Special math issue)
www.ncsall.net/index.php?id=156
The September 2000 issue of Focus on Basics (FOB), the quarterly newsletter of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy, is a special focus issue on math. Well worth investigating!

The Math Practitioner
www.literacynet.org/ann/practitioner.html
A quarterly newsletter of the Adult Numeracy Network (ANN) with practical ideas for adult numeracy instruction and articles on staff development activities around the country.

The Problem Solver
www.sabes.org/resources/publications/problemsolver
Edited by a practitioner in Western Massachusetts, this colorful newsletter is full of teacher observations and classroom lessons. Eight issues, all in PDF.

SABES Math Bulletin
www.sabes.org/resources/publications/mathbulletin
This quarterly newsletter succinctly summarizes recent research-related findings applicable to the math educator. All issues in PDF.

Websites

Math Forum
mathforum.org
"A place to find answers to your burning math questions." This amazing, in-depth site brings you to so many useful, exciting, and fun features that you may never get to another math site once you get started! This forum describes itself as "a leading center for mathematics and mathematics education on the Internet" and operates under Drexel's School of Education. The forum's "online community includes teachers, students, researchers, parents, educators, and citizens at all levels who have an interest in math and math education."

Fabulous Features of the Math Forum

• Ask Dr. Math
  Ask Dr. Math is a question and answer service for math students and their teachers. A searchable archive is available by level and topic, as well as summaries of Frequently Asked Questions (the Dr. Math FAQ).
• Math Tools
  "The Forum's community digital library supporting the use and development of software for mathematics education" Offers. real technology tools, (graphing calculator, applets, etc) lesson plans, stories, activities, support materials, and a newsletter.
• Teacher2Teacher
  A resource for teachers and parents. Ask a question, discuss math education, look for answers. Searchable archive by topic.
• Problem of the Week (PoWs)
  Looking for creative ways to kick off the math-teaching week? This feature "provides creative, non-routine challenges for students in grades three through twelve."
• The Math Forum Internet News provides a weekly newsletter describing useful math-related Internet sites. You can also review back issues of the newsletter here. forum.swarthmore.edu/electronic.newsletter

EQUALS
www.lawrencehallofscience.org/equals
Equals programs at the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California at Berkeley, provide workshops and curriculum materials in mathematics and equity. Serves PreK-12 teachers, parents, families, and community members.

Figure This
www.figurethis.org
Figure This! Math Challenges for Families offers online mathematical problems for middle-schools students and their families.

LINCS Science and Numeracy Special Collection
literacynet.org/sciencelincs/ttinteractive.html
This site "provides annotated links to Internet sites that are useful for teaching and learning about science and numeracy. The topics have been arranged according to the national education standards in science and in numeracy. The collection emphasizes the ways in which science and math skills are important to understanding the world around us." Includes clear directions for science-related activities to use in the math classroom and provides different sections for learners and instructors."

Radical Math: Social Justice in the Math Classroom
www.radicalmath.org
Basically an index site with links to a few hundred resources on math subjects ranging from algebra to line graphs to tesselations. The site provides a nice, succinct intro to social justice-focused math, as well.

TV 411
www.tv411.org
Tons of math activities, including: How to use a calculator, multiple percents, place value, polygons and perimeter, keeping up with exponential growth, and much more. You can also order a free "Think Math" DVD, a multimedia teaching tool.

Math-Related Internet Discussion Lists

mathforum.org
ABE/GED/ESL, workplace, and literacy teachers, tutors, and adult learners are encouraged to take part in this discussion of educational issues around mathematical literacy. This list is maintained by the Adult Numeracy Network (ANN). Messages are archived and searchable, so you can go back through past dialogues to find information on a particular topic. If you join this list, you can pose questions, engage in online discussions, and offer your own ideas and resources to others.

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Professional Membership Organizations for Math Teachers

The organizations below provide opportunities for ABE practitioners to continue their professional growth as math teachers. Your membership often entitles you to journals, newsletters, and reduced rates for conferences and provides lots of great teaching materials. By joining one of these organizations-either locally or nationally-you become part of a wide dialogue about teaching math and you can stretch your repertoire of practical strategies for the classroom. Become a life-long learner today and contribute your ideas to the larger math community.

Adults Learning Mathematics: A Research Forum
www.alm-online.org
ALM is an international research forum bringing together researchers and practitioners in adult mathematics/numeracy teaching and learning to promote the learning of mathematics by adults.

Adult Numeracy Network (ANN)
www.adultnumeracynetwork.org/
The Adult Numeracy Network (ANN), formerly the Adult Numeracy Practitioners Network, was formed by adult education practitioners in 1994. In April 1998, the ANN became an affiliate-at-large of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

MathWest
www.mathwest.org
P.O. Box 784, Easthampton, MA 01027  413-584-7041  E-mail: MATHWESTnews@yahoo.com
Mathwest, an affiliated group of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), is an organization of mathematics teachers in Western Massachusetts. It was formed to share experiences, resources, and talents to develop professional growth. For a small membership fee, members receive MATHWEST newsletters, registration at four meetings per year, automatic membership in the Association of Mathematics in New England (ATMNE), and access to information and resources available through all affiliations.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM)
www.nctm.org
NCTM is the place to start when considering joining a professional math organization; the benefits are wide-ranging for everyone from inexperienced to expert math teachers. NCTM is also the largest mathematics education organization, with 100,000 members and 250 Affiliates throughout the United States and Canada. NTCM is on the cutting edge of math education, and its standards and principles inform a national math agenda. The Web site provides information about jobs, new products, publications, and links to useful material. Cool features:

• Principles and Standards: The NCTM Principles and Standards, posted on line for members in complete and executive summary versions, provide the prevailing set of guidelines for mathematics teaching and learning. Can also be ordered by non-members.
• Student Math Notes: This feature offers great teaching resources for = grades 5-10. Downloads are free to individual members of NCTM.
• Professional development: Offers events, resources, e-workshops and other trainings.
• Resources for Parents and Families: This feature offers help with homework questions and more.

Other (non-membership) Math Organizations

Mathematics Exchange Group (MEG)
MEG, the Mathematics Exchange Group of NYC, provides ongoing professional development opportunities for ABE math teachers at monthly meetings. MEG has been active for years, but only in the last several years has the group been exploring Japanese Lesson Study as a unique process for improving mathematics instruction. are MEG founders, and are available for on site or regional workshops for a fee. Contact: Denise Degan, Charlie Brover, or Solange Farina at: nycmeg@yahoo.com

TERC
www.terc.edu
TERC's work in mathematics and science education includes research, curriculum and technology development, and implementation support, including professional development. TERC has worked extensively with ABE programs and supports formal as well as informal learning. Highlights of TERC's work in ABE:

• EMPower Curriculum (See Math series, below) and other classroom resources.
• Out-of-school resources, including games, software, and museum education.
• Professional development opportunities (consultations, workshops).
• Research and evaluation expertise.

Special Projects and Initiatives

Connected Mathematics Project
www.math.msu.edu/cmp/Overview/Glance.htm
The Connected Mathematics Project (CMP) is something every math teacher should know about. Retrieved from their Web site March 3, 2006: "CMP was funded by the National Science Foundation between 1991 and 1997 to develop a mathematics curriculum for grades 6, 7, and 8. The result was Connected Mathematics, a complete mathematics curriculum that helps students develop understanding of important concepts, skills, procedures, and ways of thinking and reasoning in number, geometry, measurement, algebra, probability, and statistics."

Here are some samples of what CMP offers to students and teachers:

• Connected Mathematics Series 2 (2005). Boston: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
  Six student workbooks and a teacher's guide. Contains goals, strands for each area, downloadable teacher and student resource material, and more. Find ordering information at: www.phschool.com/cmp2.
• Example from the Connected Mathematics Series
  Lappan, G., Fey, J., Fitzgerald et al. (1998) Prime time: Factors and multiples (Connected Mathematics Series: Number) (Student Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ:Dale Seymour Publications
• www.math.msu.edu/cmp
  This section of the CMP informs practitioners about updates in the curriculum, opportunities for downloadable files, online courses, and information on assessment and special needs students, all with direct links. Also, teachers can find out about conferences such as the Maine Coast Summer with Connected Mathematics and similar gatherings.