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Mathematize It! [Grades 3-5]
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Bestseller!

Mathematize It! [Grades 3-5]
Going Beyond Key Words to Make Sense of Word Problems, Grades 3-5

First Edition

Online Video Included!



September 2019 | 224 pages | Corwin

“The list of math books to truly synthesize what we know so far and what we need to know is a very short and exclusive list. Well, you can confidently add Mathematize It to this collection. Written by three of the most respected math educators today, the book zeros in on that often poorly traveled journey between the question and answer in problem solving. Mathematize It will be your go-to resource to install the mathematical play revolution in elementary classes everywhere!”

Suni Singh 
Author of Pi of Life: the Hidden Happiness of Mathematics and Math Recess: Playful Learning in an Age of Disruption


Help students reveal the math behind the words


“I don’t get what I’m supposed to do!” This is a common refrain from students when asked to solve word problems.

Solving problems is about more than computation. Students must understand the mathematics of a situation to know what computation will lead to an appropriate solution.  Many students often pluck numbers from the problem and plug them into an equation using the first operation they can think of (or the last one they practiced). Students also tend to choose an operation by solely relying on key words that they believe will help them arrive at an answer, which without careful consideration of what the problem is actually asking of them.

Mathematize It! Going Beyond Key Words to Make Sense of Word Problems, Grades 3-5 shares a reasoning approach that helps students dig into the problem to uncover the underlying mathematics, deeply consider the problem’s context, and employ strong operation sense to solve it. Through the process of mathematizing, the authors provide an explanation of a consistent method—and specific instructional strategies—to take the initial focus off specific numbers and computations and put it on the actions and relationships expressed in the problem.
 
Sure to enhance teachers’ own operation sense, this user-friendly resource for Grades 3–5

• Offers a systematic mathematizing process for students to use when solving word problems • Gives practice opportunities and dozens of problems to leverage in the classroom • Provides specific examples of questions and explorations for all four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) with whole numbers, fractions, and decimals • Demonstrates the use of concrete manipulatives to model problems with dozens of short videos • Includes end-of-chapter activities and reflection questions

How can you help your students understand what is happening mathematically when solving word problems? Mathematize it! 


 
Video List
 
Preface
 
Chapter 1 Introduction: Why You Need to Teach Students to Mathematize
Problem Solving Strategies Gone Wrong

 
What is Mathematizing? Why Is It Important?

 
Teaching Students to Mathematize

 
Final Words Before You Dive In

 
 
Part 1 Addition and Subtraction
 
Chapter 2: Add-To and Take-From: Locating the Change
Thinking About Active Addition and Subtraction Situations

 
Moving Beyond Whole Numbers

 
Key Ideas

 
Try It Out!

 
Reflect

 
 
Chapter 3: Part-Part-Whole: Understanding the Relationship
Thinking About Part-Part-Whole Situations

 
Moving Beyond Whole Numbers

 
Key Ideas

 
Try It Out!

 
Reflect

 
 
Chapter 4: Additive Comparisons: Another Kind of Relationship
Thinking About Additive Comparison Situations

 
Moving Beyond Whole Numbers

 
Key Ideas

 
Try It Out!

 
Reflect

 
 
Part 2: Multiplication and Division
 
Chapter 5: Equal Groups Multiplication: Two Factors, Different Jobs
Thinking About Equal Groups Situations

 
Moving Beyond Whole Numbers

 
Key Ideas

 
Try it Out!

 
Reflect

 
 
Chapter 6: Equal Groups Division: When a Factor Is Missing
Thinking About Equal Groups Division

 
Moving Beyond Whole Numbers

 
Key Ideas

 
Try it Out!

 
Reflect

 
 
Chapter 7: Multiplicative Comparisons: Another Asymmetric Relationship
Thinking About Multiplicative Comparisons

 
Moving Beyond Whole Numbers

 
Key Ideas

 
Try It Out!

 
Reflect

 
 
Chapter 8: Area and Array: Two Factors, Same Job
Thinking About Area and Array Situations

 
Moving Beyond Whole Numbers

 
Key Ideas

 
Try It Out!

 
Reflect

 
 
Chapter 9: Changing How You Teach Word Problems
Getting into the Mathematizing Sandbox

 
8 Shifts in Instruction for Building Students’ Problem-Solving Skills

 
Guidance for Moving Forward: FAQ’s

 
 
Appendix A – Situation Tables
 
References
 
Index

“This book is a must-have for anyone who has faced the challenge of teaching problem solving. The ideas to be learned are supported with a noticeably rich collection of classroom-ready problems, examples of student thinking, and videos. Problem solving is at the center of learning and doing mathematics. And so, Mathematize It! should be at the center of every teacher’s collection of instructional resources.”

John Sangiovanni
Howard County Public School System, Ellicott City, MD

“Finally! An answer for equipping students in making sense of word problems. Mathematize It! clarifies the challenges in problem solving and gives concrete steps and advice on understanding problem contexts and the mathematics involved. The examples, student work, and videos throughout the book bring ideas to life, and make their implementation doable. This is a must-read for every math teacher who desires their students to truly understand the role of mathematics in the world.”

Nanci N. Smith
Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

“Leaving behind the procedures and the gimmicks, Mathematize It! will effectively help develop teachers’ understanding of problem types and the pedagogical techniques necessary to teach students how to solve problems through understanding. Using comprehension strategies and varied representations are key to student success with contextualized computation. The sandbox notes, structured techniques, and videos make this book very teacher friendly. The ideas are easily transferable to the mathematics classroom.”

Natalie Crist
Baltimore County Public Schools
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Key features

Includes:

  • Dozens of word problems for teacher practice and classroom use
  • More than 35 brief videos demonstrating how to use concrete manipulatives to model word problems
  • Student work samples
  • Teacher workspace for practice
  • End-of-chapter activities and reflection questions

Purchasing options

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

contact corwin

Please select a format:

ISBN: 9781506395272
CAD$ 48.95

For large school/district orders, volume discounts, availability and shipping times contact customer service at 800-233-9936
or order@corwin.com.

For instructors

This book is not available as an inspection copy. For more information contact your local sales representative.

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