Melodie S. reviewed Knowing and Teaching Elementary Mathematics: Teachers' Understanding of Fundamental Mathematics in China and the United States (Studies in Mathematical Thinking and Learning.) on
Helpful Score: 1
This book has been very helpful in pinpointing what direction to approach homeschooling my boys in mathematics to give them a solid foundation. This discusses the approach of teachers in Asia compared to USA and points out the weaknesses that have lead to USA children ranking much lower than Asian children in mathematics scores. Communicating a conceptual understanding of procedures, introducing and experimenting with varying processes of grouping to assist the mental math processes, evaluating processes as a group or a class to determine which process is most simply helpful when, the value of mastering subtraction within 20 as a foundation to future mental math skills, the precision and sharpness of the teachers in identifying errors and pinpointing what exactly is going on with the child's thought process to be able to correct it . . . all of these must be mastered before moving on to higher math or the child will be crippled in his further studies. All of these are discussed at length and I have not even worked through half of the book yet. I have already been able to apply some of what I've learned and the results have been more than rewarding. I am gaining personal confidence and am seeing my children's eyes light up as things click with them too. Good stuff!
