Routledge Common Mistakes in Teaching Elementary Math―And How to Avoid Them: And How to Avoid Them

Learn the most effective ways to teach elementary math, no matter how much experience you have with the subject. In this book, Fuchang Liu takes you through many common mistakes in math instruction and explains the misunderstandings behind them. He points out practices that should be avoided, helping you to adjust your lessons so that all students can achieve success. You’ll discover how to… - Increase your confidence with core math principles and reasoning - Set your students on the path toward eventually developing more complex math skills - Improve student achievement by approaching problems in logical yet creative ways - Overcome common challenges faced by students and teachers - Teach problem solving for different learning styles Every chapter reconsiders well-established ways of teaching all areas of elementary math, from addition and subtraction to statistics and graphs. Helpful examples and tips are scattered throughout the book, offering revisions to the way these topics are often presented in the classroom. Also included are group study ideas for principals and instructional coaches so your school or district can work on the book together. With this practical guide, you’ll be ready to help students truly develop their math understanding. Review Children’s misunderstandings about mathematics ideas stand in their ways to learn mathematics well and effectively in elementary schools. Common Mistakes in Teaching Elementary Math and How to Avoid Them, is the first book, I know, that directly explains teachers’ own misunderstandings about mathematics ideas, how they reproduce them among their students, and more importantly, what they can do to address these issues in their mathematics teaching. Dr. Liu accomplished all the above successfully by engaging readers in experiencing what teachers do and how students react in elementary classrooms using a series of stories. A great book for mathematics teachers, teacher educators, and policy makers. ----Jian Wang, Helen DeVitt Jones Chair in Teacher Education, Texas Tech University   This book appeals to pre-service and elementary teachers who are not math content knowledge experts. Fuchang Liu offers a "quick-fix" for those elementary teachers who are aware that they are struggling as math teachers, and are seeking help. --- Elizabeth Simpson, Math Coach, Lamphere School District, MI About the Author Fuchang Liu is Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Wichita State University. Previously, he taught high school math in Louisiana and Texas.