Introduction to Communication, Grades 3-5

by Susan R. O'Connell

NCTMs Process Standards were designed to support teaching that helps children develop independent, effective mathematical thinking. The books in the Heinemann Math Process Standards Series give every elementary teacher the opportunity to explore each one of the standards in depth. And with language and examples that dont require prior math training to understand, the series offers friendly, reassuring advice to any teacher preparing to embrace the Process Standards. In Introduction to Communication , Susan OConnell shows you ways to help students explore, express, and better understand mathematical content through talking and writing. She offers an array of entry points for understanding, planning, and teaching, including strategies that help students put their ideas into words, clarify them, elaborate on them, and conjecture about them. Full of activities that are modifiable for immediate use with students of all levels and written by a veteran teacher for teachers of every level of experience, Introduction to Communication highlights the importance of encouraging children to develop insights through writing and speaking, while also recommending ways to implement language-based teaching without rewriting your curriculum. Best of all, like all the titles in the Math Process Standards Series, Introduction to Communication comes with two powerful tools to help you get started and plan a CD-ROM with activities customizable to match your lessons and a correlation guide that helps you match mathematical content with the processes it utilizes. If your students struggle to describe their mathematical thinking. Or if youre simply looking for new ways to work the communication standard into your curriculum, read, dog-ear, and teach with Introduction to Communication . And if youd like to learn about any of NCTMs process standards, or if youre looking for new, classroom-tested ways to address them in your math teaching, look no further than Heinemanns Math Process Standards Series. Youll find them explained in the most understandable and practical from one teacher to another.

200 pages, Paperback

First published February 19, 2007

Reviews

[Alison Eber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great resource for finding ways to incorporate reading, writing, and vocabulary skills into math. There are many practical suggestions for activities that are appropriate for all levels of learners -- including ELL and struggling readers/writers. The troubleshooting strategies are realistic and reflect a true understanding of the issues likely to be encountered by third through fifth graders who may not have lots of experience with reading and writing in the context of math. The accompanying resource CD also has a wealth of resources that can be used or modified for all subject areas -- not just math. For example, there's a template for team reflections following group work that could apply to any small group activity, and there are graphic organizers for pre-writing and vocabulary study. I've found this book to be one of the best of the Math Process Standards Series.