Open Middle Math: Problems That Unlock Student Thinking, 6-12

by Robert Kaplinsky

Imagine that you assign a math problem and your students, instead of getting discouraged after not solving it on the first attempt, start working harder—as if on a quest to figure out the answer. They talk to each other and enthusiastically share their discoveries. What could possibly make this fantastic scenario come true? The answer is: the Open Middle math problems and strategies in this book.

Open Middle Math by Robert Kaplinsky gives middle and high school teachers the problems and planning guidance that will encourage students to see mathematics in an entirely different light. These challenging and rewarding Open Middle math problems will help you see your students build genuine conceptual understanding, perseverance, and creativity.

Inside, you’ll learn how to:


Implement Open Middle math problems that are simultaneously accessible for both students who are struggling and those looking for more challenge.
Select and create Open Middle math problems that will help you detect students' misconceptions and strengthen their conceptual understanding.
Prepare for and facilitate powerful classroom conversations using Open Middle math problems.
Access resources that will help you continue learning beyond this book.
With these practical and intuitive strategies, extensive resources, and Robert’s own stories about his journey learning to use Open Middle math problems successfully, you will be able to support, challenge, and motivate all your students.

Genres: Mathematics, Education, Nonfiction, Teaching, School

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2019

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated this deep dive of Open Middle Math problems. I think teachers recognize right away that Open Middle problems are awesome tasks to bump up a conceptual understanding of a topic. What Kaplinksy does in his book is to show how these tasks can be used to have students move from conceptual understanding and into critically thinking. Explaining his thoughts on how he creates new problems is also helpful; there are a ton of problems on the Open Middle website, but there is a topic or two lacking representation.

I liked this book so much, I am now planning a professional development session for our teachers around these experiences and others like it.

Side note, I had way more fun doing the math than I should have. "Easy to learn, hard to master," is a highly addictive model for anything, and Open Middle certainly fits that bill.

[Tracy Conte · Rating 5 out of 5]

If Open Middle math the website is the WHAT then open Open Middle Math the book is the HOW. The website provides so many wonderful problems as a resource for the upper grades math classroom, but the book thoroughly explains how to introduce students to these types of problems, how to prepare for responses, how to carefully select responses to share, and how to make your own open middle problems.

What a fantastic companion to the website. I highly recommend buying this book before diving into Open Middle Math problems with students, or if you have had a bad experience with student response to OMM (giving up too soon, feeling frustrated, etc.) in the past and want to give it another shot. It will be well worth it.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful, scaffolded handbook that provides relatable and realistic procedures that will increase the depth of mathematical understanding for students. I appreciate Kaplinsky’s easy to read and follow recommendations and his real-life, tried and true methods! Wonderful resource!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in an afternoon. Short and easily digestible but very well organized and comprehensive. I can't wait to try an open middle problem with my students.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with practical, actually applicable math problems in an easy to read style. I look forward to enhancing my teaching with open middle problems and understanding my students better as I present them with higher Depth of Knowledge activities.

[Sarah Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steps are laid out very well. Examples on various levels is a great way to examine the three levels for open middle math. Another great resource.

[Creighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, I'm all in - hook, line, and sinker. This is my new math class obsession!