Strengths-Based Teaching and Learning in Mathematics

Five Teaching Turnarounds for Grades K-6

Beth McCord Kobett, Karen S. Karp

• Publisher: Corwin
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781544374932
• eBook ISBN: 9781544374918
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Education General

"This book is a game changer! Strengths-Based Teaching and Learning in Mathematics: 5 Teaching Turnarounds for Grades K- 6 goes beyond simply providing information by sharing a pathway for changing practice. . . Focusing on our students' strengths should be routine and can be lost in the day-to-day teaching demands. A teacher using these approaches can change the trajectory of students' lives forever. All teachers need this resource!    

Connie S. Schrock
Emporia State University
National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics President, 2017-2019

NEW COVID RESOURCES ADDED:  A Parent's Toolkit to Strengths-Based Learning in Math is now available on the book's companion website to support families engaged in math learning at home. This toolkit provides a variety of home-based activities and games for families to engage in together.

Your game plan for unlocking mathematics by focusing on students' strengths.

We often evaluate student thinking and their work from a deficit point of view, particularly in mathematics, where many teachers have been taught that their role is to diagnose and eradicate students' misconceptions. But what if instead of focusing on what students don't know or haven't mastered, we identify their mathematical strengths and build next instructional steps on students' points of power?

Beth McCord Kobett and Karen S. Karp answer this question and others by highlighting five key teaching turnarounds for improving students' mathematics learning: identify teaching strengths, discover and leverage students' strengths, design instruction from a strengths-based perspective, help students identify their points of power, and promote strengths in the school community and at home. Each chapter provides opportunities to stop and consider current practice, reflect, and transfer practice while also sharing

·         Downloadable resources, activities, and tools

·         Examples of student work within Grades K–6

·         Real teachers' notes and reflections for discussion

It's time to turn around our approach to mathematics instruction, end deficit thinking, and nurture each student's mathematical strengths by emphasizing what makes them each unique and powerful. 

Table of contents

• Cover
• Endorsements
• Publisher Note
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Foreword
• Contributors
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction An Invitation to Turn Around
• PART ONE Teaching Turnaround One Identify Your Teaching Strengths
• 1 Identify Your Teaching Strengths
• PART TWO Teaching Turnaround Two Discover and Leverage Your Students’ Mathematical Strengths
• 2 Turn Around Mathematical Proficiencies, Processes, and Practices
• 3 Your Students’ Mathematics Content Strengths
• PART THREE Teaching Turnaround Three Design Instruction From a Strengths-Based Perspective
• 4 Turn Around Grouping Practices
• 5 Turn Around Tasks
• 6 Turn Around Feedback
• PART FOUR Teaching Turnaround Four Help Students Develop Their Points of Power
• 7 Turn Around Students’ Identities
• PART FIVE Teaching Turnaround Five Promote Strengths in the School Community
• 8 Turn Around Professional Learning Communities
• PART FIVE Teaching Turnaround Five Promote Strengths in the School Community
• 9 Turn Around Family Communication
• Epilogue Turn Around Reflection
• References
• Index
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