Five Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions
"5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussionsprovides teachers withconcrete guidance for engaging students in discussions that make the mathematics in classroomlessons transparent to all. These instructional practices are extremely timely in light of the focuson Standards for Mathematical Practice in the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics,and they will support teachers and students in engaging in these standards. This book will serveas a valuable foundation in our upcoming professional development."(Catherine Martin, Mathematics and Science Director 2011-04-15)"Ensuring that students have the opportunity to reason mathematically is one of the most difficultchallenges that teachers face. A key component is creating a classroom in which discourse isencouraged and leads to better understanding. Productive discourse is not an accident, nor canit be accomplished by a teacher working on the fly, hoping for a serendipitous student exchangethat contains meaningful mathematical ideas. While acknowledging that this type of teachingis demanding, Smith and Stein present five practices that any teacher can use to implementcoherent mathematical conversations. By using the five practices, teachers will learn to teacheffectively in this way."(Frederick Dillon, Mathematics Teacher 2011-04-15)"As a veteran teacher, I found that the book diagnosed several problems that I had unknowingly created for my students' classroom discussions. I now have a prescription for curing these problems."(Lori Lovato 2012-05-03)"This book is a must-have for educators who are working toward having 'acountable talk.' I found it to be a welcome and thought-provoking addition to my professional library."(Maria LamattinaTeaching Children Mathematics Magazine, August 20122012-09-17)