Mindset Mathematics: Visualizing and Investigating Big Ideas, Grade 5

by Jo Boaler, Jen Munson, Cathy Williams

Engage students in mathematics using growth mindset techniques The most challenging parts of teaching mathematics are engaging students and helping them understand the connections between mathematics concepts. In this volume, you'll find a collection of low floor, high ceiling tasks that will help you do just that, by looking at the big ideas at the fifth-grade level through visualization, play, and investigation.  During their work with tens of thousands of teachers, authors Jo Boaler, Jen Munson, and Cathy Williams heard the same message―that they want to incorporate more brain science into their math instruction, but they need guidance in the techniques that work best to get across the concepts they needed to teach. So the authors designed Mindset Mathematics around the principle of active student engagement, with tasks that reflect the latest brain science on learning. Open, creative, and visual mathematics tasks have been shown to improve student test scores, and more importantly change their relationship with mathematics and start believing in their own potential. The tasks in Mindset Mathematics reflect the lessons from brain science With engaging questions, open-ended tasks, and four-color visuals that will help kids get excited about mathematics, Mindset Mathematics is organized around nine big ideas which emphasize the connections within the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and can be used with any current curriculum.

Genres: Mathematics, Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

304 pages, Paperback

Published April 3, 2018

About the author

Dr Jo Boaler is a Professor of Mathematics Education at Stanford University and co-founder of www.youcubed.org. Formerly the Marie Curie Professor of Mathematics Education for England, a mathematics teacher in London comprehensive schools and a researcher at King's College, London. She is the author of eight books including What's Math Got To Do With It? (2015) and Mathematical Mindsets (2016). She is the recipient of the NCSM award for equity, the author of the first MOOC on mathematics learning for teachers and parents, a White House presenter and an advisor to the PISA team at the OECD.

Reviews

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are new to Jo Boaler, lucky you; she has revolutionized math in my classroom. When we are engaged in Mondset Mathematics, the passion and enthusiasm are palpable. Before you dive into the grade-level specific books, like Mindset Mathematics: Visualizing and Investigating Big Ideas, Grade 5, first read...no STUDY the book Mathematical Mindsets. I also recommend Jo Boaler’s online courses, available at Youcubed.org. This is a deep-dive into conceptual math, which needs to begin with the teacher mindset. I also recommend using the youcubed.org resources for students and parents. Implement the free lessons offered online. Then, when you have that foundation in place, move on to the grade-level specific books like Mindset Mathematics: Visualizing and Investigating Big Ideas, Grade 5.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love anything from Jo Boaler, the math guru at Stanford University. I have taken her online course in Mathematical Mindsets from Stanford, and this book coincides nicely with some of the activities she discusses in her course. Great for building visual mathematics, and low floor, high ceiling tasks that all students can master. Will refer to this book often in my teaching. If you are interested in learning more about Jo Boaler check out youcubed.com. There you will find resources you can use right away, plus links to her other books (Mathematical Mindsets is one of my favourite, and I read it before taking her course. In hindsight it would have better during or after the course to consolidate learning, but it's awesome nevertheless and I'm glad I have a personal copy!).

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, or series of books should be required reading for teachers, administrators and those who decide to and then put together standardized testing. This book shows how to get kids to see relationships, find patterns, make mistakes to inform their learning, and develop a mindset of perseverance and confidence. There are tasks that are open ended, cool questions for kids to try to answer and the use of visuals for problem solving acting as proof. I am currently taking an online class with her on data science that I’m only sorry I didn’t learn when I was a student! These books run through all grades, and you won’t be sorry. You just have to figure out how to merge this with what you’re doing, or must do, within your classroom.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly helpful for a first year teacher (although I think any math teacher would benefit). Walked away with several new ideas to use in my classroom, especially in our volume unit which is next.

[Brittanee Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the activities!

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait to try some of these in math this year!