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Which of these math books do I want in order to be a better teacher?


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Arithmetic for Parents: A Book for Grownups about Children's Mathematics

Kitchen Table Math (although this might be cost-prohibitve, 3 books at $22 each)

About Teaching Mathematics: A K-8 Resource

 

If I can only afford one of these, which should I buy, and why?

 

Thanks. :)

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I like About Teaching Mathematics a lot. I also like that book about Asian mathematics and how math is taught in the states....why is the name slipping my mind...I have the book upstairs....but that would mean getting off my duff and going to look.......hmmmmmmm Anyway, I like About Teaching Math--i have it and have read it.

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I like About Teaching Mathematics a lot. I also like that book about Asian mathematics and how math is taught in the states....why is the name slipping my mind...I have the book upstairs....but that would mean getting off my duff and going to look.......hmmmmmmm Anyway, I like About Teaching Math--i have it and have read it.

 

 

 

Would you mind telling me why you like it?

 

Are you referring to the one by Liping Ma? I borrowed that one from the library, so I don't need to buy it. :)

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Would you mind telling me why you like it?

 

Are you referring to the one by Liping Ma? I borrowed that one from the library, so I don't need to buy it. :)

 

 

Yes, Liping Ma! Thank you. Brain fart there.

 

I need to pull the book off the shelf and remind myself why I liked it. I haven't looked at it in a while. I will do that this evening and post back in the morning or later.

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Kitchen Table Math is very useful for helping you figure out how to teach math to your child - what concepts to introduce, and how, and in what order, and with what activities, manipulatives, or games. It isn't so much about the theory, or comparing math teaching across cultures, etc. On the other hand, if you have a solid curriculum, you might find that KTM sits on the shelf - that's what I'm finding, at least. I don't refer to it much.

 

The book that helped me more as a math teacher was the book Math Power: How to Help Your Child Love Math Even If You Don't by Patricia Clark Kenschaft. It describes the conceptual stages kids go through in learning math, and shows you how to support that, through daily activities, games, etc. I found it really empowering and helpful when I first started homeschooling. I appreciate the KTM books, but I used Math Power more.

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I am unfamiliar with the first book, and own the second two plus Math Power. I would recommend Math Power if you have inhibitions and About Teaching Math if you need lots of practical ideas for teaching. KTM being significantly more, I would choose ATM over it. It is jam packed with ideas. Of you are using Singapore, I most highly recommend Elementary Mathematics for Teachers.

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