Brain-Compatible Activities for Mathematics, Grades K-1
- David A. Sousa - International Educational Consultant
"These activities are clearly laid out with directions for implementing academically rigorous math activities with our youngest students. The book's alternative method of developing number sense is likely to reach more students by focusing on different strategies that will engage the entire brain."
—Rosamaria Murillo, Principal
Baldwin Lane Elementary School, Sugarloaf, CA
"Offering detailed yet easily applicable lessons that will benefit both teacher and students, Sousa clearly explains the importance of brain-based learning tasks and their role in the area of mathematics. As one who has taught kindergarten and first grade for 25 years, I found the book an effective, enjoyable means of putting brain-compatible math into practice!"
—Susan Schipper, First-Grade Teacher
Charles Street Elementary School, Palmyra, NJ
Imaginative mathematics activities that maximize the brain's learning potential!
Demonstrating instructional principles discussed in David A. Sousa's bestseller, How the Brain Learns Mathematics, this resource provides brain-friendly, ready-to-use mathematics lessons for Grades K–1. Teachers will find step-by-step guidance and all the necessary reproducibles for mathematics instruction that involves partners, group work, and class movement. Through activities such as Number Jingle and Math Detective, young learners will enjoy developing skills connected with whole numbers, addition and subtraction, geometrical shapes, measurement, number patterns, and more.
Aligned with NCTM standards and focal points, the instructional strategies enhance motivation and content retention, address individual intelligences, and:
- Promote writing as an important learning tool
- Use concrete models to make concepts meaningful
- Connect mathematical ideas to the real world
- Incorporate graphic organizers to help students organize their thinking
- Teach creative problem solving
Deepen and revitalize instruction using Sousa's proven brain-compatible approach for helping every child develop self-confidence in mathematics!
"A handy tool for teachers! The activities are clearly laid out with directions that will allow any teacher to implement academically rigorous math activities with our youngest students. It is wonderful to see a book dedicated to promoting strong number sense activities that are brain compatible. The activities presented in this book are fun and engaging for young students. This alternative method of developing number sense is likely to reach more students by focusing on different strategies that will engage the entire brain."
"This book gives educators the tools necessary to provide students with effective and enjoyable learning experiences. The author offers detailed yet easily applicable lessons that will benefit both teacher and students. Sousa effectively explains the importance of brain-based learning tasks and their role in the area of mathematics. Although the activities in this book are designed to be used with the brain-compatible lesson plan format, the teacher has the ability to choose the areas that best suit his or her classroom style. This book also connects the NCTM standards to each lesson. For the past 25 years, I have taught both kindergarten and first grade. I found Sousa’s book an effective as well as an enjoyable means of putting brain-compatible math into practice!"