Math Exchanges: Guiding Young Mathematicians in Small Group Meetings

by Kassia Omohundro Wedekind

Traditionally, small-group math instruction has been used as a format for reaching children who struggle to understand. Math coach Kassia Omohundro Wedekind uses small-group instruction as the centerpiece of her math workshop approach, engaging all students in rigorous "math exchanges." The key characteristics of these mathematical conversations are that they 1) short, focused sessions that bring all mathematical minds together, 2) responsive to the needs of the specific group of mathematicians, and 3) designed for meaningful, guided reflection.

As in reading and writing workshop, students in Kassia's math workshop are becoming self-directed and independent while participating in a classroom community of learners. Through the math exchanges, students focus on number sense and the big ideas of mathematics. Teachers guide the conversations with small groups of students, mediating talk and thinking as students share problem-solving strategies, discuss how math works, and move toward more effective and efficient approaches and greater mathematical understanding.

Although grounded in theory and research, Math Exchanges is written for practicing teachers and answers such questions as the

How can I use a math workshop approach and follow a certain textbook or set of standards? How should I form small groups? and How often should I meet with small groups? What should I focus on in small groups? How can I tell if my groups are making progress? What do small-group math exchanges look like, sound like, and feel like?

216 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 2011

About the author

Kassia Omohundro Wedekind spent many wonderful years as a classroom teacher and math coach in Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia and now splits her time between being an independent math coach and an editor at Stenhouse Publishers. Her favorite days are spent in classrooms learning from the many ways children talk, listen and negotiate meaning together. Kassia tweets at @kassiaowedekind and is @kassiaowedekind on Instagram.

Reviews

[Madison Cullitan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very informative and has so many examples about math exchanges in the classroom. While I was reading I was able to paint a picture in my head about what a math exchange should look like and the process that it takes during the course of the year. It was amazing to see how much the students grew in a short amount of time and were able to come up with their own strategies and ideas. This book is one that is a great resource that I will use when I become a teacher to make sure that I am guiding my students in the right direction and giving them the tools that they need for success.