Worth reading and trying strategies for your classroom

Rating:

Classroom discussions: Using math talk to help students learn. Grades 1-6 is a practical resource that provides a deep look into the importance of the role that communication plays in mathematics learning and teaching. It is a useful and detailed guide for teachers who want to explore the ways on how to bring communication into their mathematics lessons and have students actively engaged in math talk that results in deeper mathematical understanding.
The book provides teachers with a variety of tools and strategies that are an essential part of a classroom where math talk is used. The book gives suggestions on how to get started and what to do when unexpected difficulties arise. The authors of the book also share ideas on components of an effective lesson planning.
To illustrate tools and strategies, vignettes of teachers' discussions with students and case studies are presented in the book. They providing teachers with a deeper insight into how to use math talk more effectively. Readers can also find a full section on the usefulness of math talk for developing students' conceptual knowledge in mathematics "as they build connections among mathematical ideas and concepts that include computation, reasoning, problem solving, terminology, symbol, definitions, and forms of representation".
Trying a new approach or strategy can be challenging for both teachers and students. That is why, as the book recommends, it is important to try one new thing at a time and also give adequate time to learn how to use new tools and strategies.
Overall, the book reads smoothly and is easy to follow. I will recommend reading this book and trying to use some of the tools and strategies discussed in the book in your classroom.