Read more
Teach your students to become decision makers who rely on their own mathematical thinking. Fluency in mathematics is more than adeptly using basic facts or implementing algorithms.
Real fluency involves reasoning and creativity, and it varies by the situation at hand.
Figuring Out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning offers educators the inspiration to develop a deeper understanding of procedural fluency, along with a plethora of pragmatic tools for shifting classrooms toward a fluency approach. In a friendly and accessible style, this hands-on guide empowers educators to support students in acquiring the repertoire of reasoning strategies necessary to becoming versatile and nimble mathematical thinkers. It includes:
- "Seven Significant Strategies" to teach to students as they work toward procedural fluency.
- Activities, fluency routines, and games that encourage learning the efficiency, flexibility, and accuracy essential to real fluency.
- Reflection questions, connections to mathematical standards, and techniques for assessing all components of fluency.
- Suggestions for engaging families in understanding and supporting fluency.
Fluency is more than a toolbox of strategies to choose from; it's also a matter of equity and access for all learners. Give your students the knowledge and power to become confident mathematical thinkers.
List of contents
Foreword by Christina Tondevold
What Does Fluency Really Mean and Why Does it Matter?
Fluency Fallacies and Related Truths
Good (and Necessary) Beginnings for Fluency
Seven Significant Strategies for Developing Fluency
Automaticity Beyond the Basic Facts
Fluency Practice is Not a Worksheet
Beyond Accuracy: What We Need to Assess and the Tools to Do It
Engaging Families in Fluency
Fluency Is the Focus: Planning, Agreement, and Action
Appendix A: Activity List
Appendix B: Strategies and Automaticities Reference Page
About the author
Jennifer M. Bay-Williams is a professor of mathematics education at the University of Louisville, where she teaches preservice teachers, emerging elementary mathematics specialists, and doctoral students in mathematics education. She has authored over 40 books and 100 journal articles/book chapters, many of which focus on procedural fluency and developing mathematical proficiency. Beyond the Figuring out Fluency series, these include Math Fact Fluency, and Everything you Need for Mathematics Coaching and Elementary: Teaching Developmentally and Middle School Mathematics. Jennifer′s national leadership includes NCTM Board of Directors, the TODOS: Mathematics for All Board of Directors, and as president and secretary of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE).
John J. SanGiovanni is a mathematics coordinator in Howard County, Maryland. There, he leads mathematics curriculum development, digital learning, assessment, and professional development. John is passionate about growing new mathematics leaders in the district and through McDaniel College. In addition to the Figuring Out Fluency series, some of his many Corwin books include Daily Routines to Jump-Start Problem Solving, Grades K–8; Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Elementary Math; the Daily Routines to Jump-Start Math series; and Productive Math Struggle: A 6-Point Action Plan for Fostering Perseverance. John is a national mathematics curriculum and professional learning consultant who also speaks frequently at national conferences and institutes. He is active in state and national professional organizations, recently serving on the board of directors for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and on the board of directors for NCSM.
