Guided Math: A Framework for Mathematics Instruction

by Laney Sammons

Use a practical approach to teaching mathematics that integrates proven literacy strategies for effective instruction. This professional resource will help to maximize the impact of instruction through the use of whole-class instruction, small-group instruction, and Math Workshop. Incorporate ideas for using ongoing assessment to guide your instruction and increase student learning, and use hands-on, problem-solving experiences with small groups to encourage mathematical communication and discussion. Guided Math supports the College and Career Readiness and other state standards.

Genres: Teaching, Professional Development, Education, Nonfiction, School, Mathematics

264 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2009

Reviews

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for someone unfamiliar with the workshop model. The first three chapters were helpful, but the remainder of the book was more about why the components are beneficial to students. I've been teaching reading and writing with this model for years, so I know the benefits and the rationale behind each component. I found Math Exchanges (Wedekind) much more helpful to me for guided math groups. This would be a great book for anyone new to teaching or brand new to the workshop model.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this is the 3rd, maybe 4th time around....And, I have to say that while some of the information is geared toward the beginning teacher, or perhaps the teacher that has not done workshop model, I still get some great ideas for my students and my class. Each read has lent itself to another way of thinking about how students learn from directed small group and exploration.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book, however the author refers A LOT to guided reading instruction. I did a lot of skimming because I'm already familiar with the why's and how's of guided reading. Yet, this book does give a nice amount of ideas for conferencing in Math (a bit different from how you do it in reading) and a variety of for how to use a math calendar and centers.

[Skye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't bad, but I did not feel like I got much out of it on how actually to develop math workshop. It's good if you are looking to be convinced on why you should do guided math; but I feel that I got more out of my pinterest searches on the how.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean it was a textbook so it's not like it was engaging, but it was very informative

[April C G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this text very helpful. The overlaps with Guided Reading helped me a lot. Look forward to learning more!

[Charisse Humphreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to redirect my mind back to the classroom.

[Karina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great guide for teachers wanting to ditch whole group instruction. Walks through a plan for each part of workshop.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only a couple things would have made this a 5-star text. I would have liked to have seen more pictures of a Guided Math classroom and possibly views of math groups or set-ups. The appendix documents could be a little bit more detailed as well...because they are seemingly helpful but not quite there in this edition. Hoping maybe these things will be added to the next edition down the line.

But as a teacher is more strong in reading instruction, I truly appreciated the things I read about and learned from Guided Math. I have already pulled all my math manipulatives from my closet and set them out on our common shelf area for the students to look through and grab readily. Keep in mind, I am a 5th grade teacher and manipulatives aren't something I learned to use and pull out often. I've also already worked on implementing Calendar Math into my daily instruction as well in order to have students start to see the daily uses of Math. I look forward to doing more over the next couple years.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would probably be great for a beginning teacher. If you have been teaching awhile and have done guided reading, I would say this book is a waste of your time. Especially if you are familiar with Debbie Miller, Fountas and Pinnell, and Marzano. This book did a great job of explaining why guided math should be done, but not a lot of how it is done (which is what I was looking for). I was quite disappointed as I want to try guided math next year (hence, I don't need to be convinced), and wanted some structures from someone experienced in guided math (not a lot of this, unfortunately).

[Shannon Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book might be good for brand new teachers or ones who need to be convinced to dough workshop, but it reads more like a research paper than a practical guide for classroom teachers.

I went into it with the wrong expectations I guess. :)

I DO want to learn more about math stretches and math huddles. Of course, there's still a lot more I want to know about after reading this since many of my questions weren't answered.

I thought I would read about more routines and examples.

Maybe I'm not giving this one justice since I had a different idea of what the book would provide. So this may not be a fair review. :)

[Savannah Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book! Laney Sammons takes all the strategies from readers' workshop and writers' workshop and applies them to math. Anyone who is familiar with the workshop approach to literacy will immediately be able to see the value in treating mathematics instruction in the same manner. I love the thought of having mentor texts, anchor charts, small group math, and math centers during my math block. Laney Sammons was able to take something that terrifies me--math--and make it seem completely approachable and meaningful for the students. Great read!

[Nichole Lindgren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great to use when trying to get teachers to switch from predominantly whole group instruction to guided math. It gives great reasons why guided math should be done and even gives tips for structures and stations, but nothing too in depth.
This is the second time I've read this book, and it's not the type of book you can just open to a page for ideas, rather you need to read a chapter or more to get the information you need so its hard for teachers to use as go to resource but it is good to use in a book study group.

[Trever · Rating 3 out of 5]

When critics of the book said that it would be good for people who are in the first year of teaching, what were they thinking?!?!

This book is for people who might think they even kinda sort of want to be in education. Extremely elementary book about teaching math. Only reason I picked it up was for individual math conferences and that section was less than to be desired.

I'm just glad I found it free on the internet and that is why I gave it an extra star.

[Berit · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this will be a very useful book as I plan my math instruction for next year. It has given me an answer to my most pressing question with regard to teaching math: How do I provide individualized instruction in math for all of my students, like I do in guided reading? This book has provided the framework I need to provide that individualized instruction.

[Jamie Sears · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very helpful. I loved the sample mini lessons and small-group lessons. I found the information on math conferences to be very valuable and though provoking. I also got very excited about her math stretches. I actually ordered her book Math Stretches to read next.

[Mandy Robek · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are comfortable with literacy and want to see connections to improve your math discussion this book is for you. Filled with lots of guidance and ideas for making a math workshop reasonable, manageable, and growing all students.

[Abbey T · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would be a great book for a preservice teacher or someone who isn't in an AMSTI school. For me, it was very repetitious and I skimmed a lot. It's mostly about how to set up your room and not about what to actually teach during guided math.

[Krista Tillman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas about how to cross-over the structure of guided reading into math. If you know a lot about guided reading parts of this book will be repetitive. The first few chapters are the best.

[Rosemary Malayil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as helpful as I thought it would be.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This works so well with 2nd graders. It is an excellent way to do math in an elementary classroom.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is based on the guided reading format. If you're not familiar with that it might be helpful.

[Keely · Rating 2 out of 5]

I agree with another reviewer. This is not a bad book, but it's full of information that many educators already know.

[Brandi Beers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great ideas to try.

[Sally · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would have really liked a DVD or a web site link to videos showing specifics of guided math & workshop.