Book Recommendations for Math Teachers
Have you ever read a book that significantly changed how you taught? I’ve picked out a few of my favorite books for math educators. I think these are must-reads for every math teacher. Let me know if you have read these, or if you’re adding one to your reading list!
Mathematical Mindsets by Jo Boaler
In Mathematical Mindsets, Jo Boaler uses brain science to show how our attitudes and approaches matter when learning math. If you’ve wanted to instill a growth mindset in your students, this is the book to read. This book helped me realize the importance of mistakes and working through struggles. It made me want to provide experiences for my own students to change their mindset about math.
The book can help any math teacher create a positive, encouraging classroom. Our approach to teaching is transformed when we know that every student can learn math. It helps us value the different ideas of students. We can encourage students to think deeper rather than calculating faster, and we can help them see themselves as mathematical thinkers.
I love Jo Boaler’s enthusiasm for math. The examples in the book show the importance of creativity and thinking outside the box. The book has lots of tasks and ideas that any math teacher could use.
Making Number Talks Matter by Cathy Humphreys & Ruth Parker
If you teach students who lack fluency and want a real solution, this is the book for you. When I first heard about Number Talks routines, I only saw them being used with elementary students. I wasn’t sure if it was something that would work with middle and high school students (but I had so many older students that lacked number sense and fluency).
Making Number Talks Matter is intended for teachers of grades 4-10. It gives a guide for establishing Number Talks in your classroom.
But what if you do not feel confident in your own mental math abilities? I think the best thing about this book is how it explores different strategies for the four operations. I learned so many ways to operate in my head! I was a little shocked I hadn’t been taught these strategies in school. And I was pretty excited to teach students what I had learned.
Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics by Peter Liljedahl
Are your students thinking much during class? As it turns out, based on Peter Liljedalh’s research, most students aren’t thinking during math class. In fact, over 3/4 of students are not think at all during a typical class period. One of the most common things they’re doing is mimicking. They are copying the steps a teacher has shown or following an example.
Not only does this book help teachers recognize unproductive norms, the book is a guide for creating a “thinking classroom.” With the 14 practices, teachers can transform their math class.
I love that the book is based on research and experimenting. Peter Liljedalh and teachers tested different practices to see what got students thinking. This book goes in-dept about using tasks, vertical non-permanent surfaces, random groups, questioning, homework, notes, assessments, and more. It gives the why and how behind real teaching practices.
I hope you find this list of books helpful in expanding your teaching knowledge. I’m not affiliated with these books; I just really love them!
Thanks for reading,
Rachael
