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‘Lively and thought provoking...at a key time in the development of primary mathematics teaching and learning. It offers a very much richer model of mathematics learning than is available to many young learners and has the potential to have a real impact on the way mathematics is taught.’ - Jan Winter, Bristol University, UK What is good mathematics teaching? What is mathematics teaching good for ? Who is mathematics teaching for? Under-pinned by findings from the largest research programme into primary mathematics funded in recent years, Transforming Primary Mathematics offers a clear, practical approach to implementing fundamental change in curriculum, classroom environment and teaching styles. It offers an inspiring, sometimes controversial, and often unconventional look at the subject of mathematics, by: Endorsing the use of a ‘new mathematics’ – one based on problem solving, modelling and inquiry, not on abstract rules, memorising, and regurgitation Arguing that there is more to maths teaching than ‘death by a thousand worksheets’ Challenging norms, such as the practice of sorting children into sets based on their perceived mathematical ability Advocating an environment where teachers are encouraged to take risks Looking at how best to prepare learners for an unknown future Encouraging reflection on teachers’ own beliefs and values about mathematics. Transforming Primary Mathematics is for all primary school teachers who want to make mathematics welcoming, engaging, inclusive and successful. "What is good mathematics teaching? What is mathematics teaching good for? Who is mathematics teaching for? These are just some of the questions addressed in Transforming Primary Mathematics, a highly timely new resource for teachers which accessibly sets out the key theories and latest research in primary maths today. Under-pinned by findings from the largest research programme into primary mathematics funded in recent years, it offers a clear, practical approach to implementing fundamental change in curriculum, classroom environment and teaching styles. Written by one of the top experts in mathematics education, it offers an inspiring, sometimes controversial, and often unconventional look at the subject of mathematics, by: - Endorsing the use of a 'new mathematics' - one based on problem solving, modelling and inquiry, not on abstract rules, memorising, and regurgitation - Arguing that there is more to maths teaching than 'death by a thousand worksheets' - Challenging norms, such as the practice of sorting children into sets based on their perceived mathematical ability - Asking whether this mathematical ability is innate or a result of social practices - Upholding the idea that mathematics teaching is an adaptive challenge, rather than a technical problem - Advocating an environment where teachers are encouraged to take risks - Looking at how best to prepare learners for an unknown future - Encouraging reflection on teachers' own beliefs and values about mathematics. Transforming Primary Mathematics is for all primary school teachers who want to make mathematics welcoming, engaging, inclusive and successful"-- Provided by the publisher Transforming Primary Mathematics 4 Contents 8 List of Figures 10 Preface 12 Chapter 1 Introduction 16 Part 1 Thinking through mathematics 26 Chapter 2 Thinking about learning 28 Chapter 3 Thinking about curriculum 44 Chapter 4 Thinking about teaching 54 Part 2 Transforming primary mathematics 66 Chapter 5 Mathematical activity Mindful or fluent? 68 Chapter 6 Variation theory 86 Chapter 7 Transforming the learner 100 Chapter 8 Building mathematical community 110 Part 3 Teaching tripod 120 Chapter 9 Tasks 122 Chapter 10 Tools 134 Chapter 11 Talk 153 Coda 163 Acknowledgements 164 References 165 Index 171