The goal of this text is to provide prospective elementary teachers with a deep understanding of the mathematics they will be called on to teach. Through a careful, mathematically precise development of concepts, this text asks that students go beyond simply knowing how to carry out mathematical procedures. Students must also be able to explain why mathematics works the way it does. Being able to explain why is a vital skill for teachers. Through activities, examples and applications, the author expects students to write and solve problems, make sense of the mathematics, and write clear, logical explanations of the mathematical concepts. The accompanying Activities Manual promotes engagement, exploration, and discussion of the material, rather than passive absorption. Both students and instructors should find this material fun, interesting, and rewarding.

• Class Activities are integral to the text and are designed to be done in class or in small groups outside of class. They promote critical thinking, discussion and give students depth of understanding and perspective on the concepts.

• Practice Problems provide students with the opportunity to work through problems and, if they need help, see the solutions. This allows students immediate feedback as they work through material and better prepares them for their homework. Solutions appear in the text immediately after the Practice Problems.

• Problems are opportunities for students to work through the mathematics without being given an answer at the end of the text. These are typically assigned as homework. Solutions appear in the Instructor's Solutions Manual and can be provided online for students at the discretion of the instructor.

• Decimals and Fractions are covered earlier than in most texts. This early coverage allows students to become used to explaining why the standard procedures we use with decimals and fractions are valid so that they aren't overwhelmed when they get to multiplying/dividing fractions. The importance of paying attention to the “whole” when working with fractions is repeatedly emphasized.

• Students will use Visualization not only in traditional mathematical contexts, but also in order to understand basic astronomical phenomena such as phases of the Moon, the reason for seasons, and the rotation of the Earth around its axis every day.

• There is ample coverage of Volume and Surface Area. The text and Activities Manual promote deeper understanding of these concepts with the aid of hands-on exploration.

• Unique content in the Functions and Algebra chapter (Ch. 13) introduces U.S. teachers to the impressive diagrammatic method presented in the grade 3 - 6 math texts used in Singapore (whose children score top in the world in math). This method helps students make sense of and solve a variety of algebra and other word problems without using variables. The text helps students see the relationship between the Singaporean diagrammatic method and standard algebraic problem solving methods.

1. Problem Solving.

2. Numbers and the Decimal System.

3. Fractions.

4. Addition and Subtraction.

5. Multiplication.

6. Multiplication of Fractions, Decimals, and Negative Numbers.

7. Division.

8. Geometry.

9. Geometry of Motion and Change.

10. Measurement.

11. More About Area and Volume.

12. Number Theory.

13. Functions and Algebra.

14. Statistics.

15. Probability.

 

Sybilla Beckmann has an undergraduate degree in mathematics from Brown University and a PhD in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. She taught and did research in mathematics at Yale University for 2 years. Since then, she has been at the University of Georgia.

When she had children, she became very interested in helping prospective teachers understand and appreciate the mathematics they will teach. This interest led to her book. She enjoys playing the piano, weaving, going to concerts of classical music, and traveling with her family.

View a Sample Chapter PDF:

  

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students, contact your Pearson Higher Education representative for pricing and ordering information.

Pearson Higher Education offers special pricing when you choose to package your text with other student resources. If you're interested in creating a cost-saving package for your students contact your Pearson Higher Education representative.