Product Description
Parents are concerned about their children’s math learning. Teachers are concerned about math teaching. When parents see what children are bringing home under the new curriculum, it is clear that their children are not working on the same mathematics that parents remember from the time when they were in school. But, the problem goes beyond grades K-12. Post-secondary mathematics courses are the fear of many students. The standards created by the NCTM do not necessar… More >>
Math Wars: A Guide for Parents and Teachers
Tags: bringing home, curriculum, fear, Guide, Math, math wars, mathematics courses, NCTM, parents, parents and teachers, secondary mathematics, teachers, Wars
#1 by Joshua T. Cohen on February 1, 2010 - 9:05 pm
This book puts the controversy over math education in the US into historical perspective, explaining how the latest “Math Wars” are a continuation of a struggle dating back to the 1800s. The author explains the difference between “traditional” approaches to math instruction and curricula aligned with the framework set out by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), and how the NCTM came out on top in the 1980s and 90s. Although NCTM-aligned curricula continue to dominate math instruction across the country, the author describes how NCTM has had to modify its recommendations to address gaps resulting from its initial departure from traditional math instruction. Finally, the book explains some of the biases and limitations of research advanced on both sides of the Math Wars to support claims about what works best in math education. “Math Wars” is a little out of date because it was published in 2005 (it would be great if a second edition could be issued). Nonetheless, it offers a useful, easy-to-read introduction to the topic.
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by Midwest Book Review on February 1, 2010 - 10:46 pm
Parents and teachers interested in the cross-country debate about how to teach basic math won’t want to miss the debate coverage in Math Wars: A Guide For Parents And Teachers. Here the heated issues between the NCTM curricula and traditional original curricula are discussed with an eye to understanding how kids learn math, what the differences are in what they are bringing home from the new curriculum, and why the standards created by the NCTM don’t help prepare students for college. An intriguing survey of the many issues and theories involved in math teaching.
Rating: 5 / 5