Sensible Mathematics Second Edition: A Guide for School Leaders in the Era of Common Core State Standards

Description

“Steven Leinwand has seen sensible mathematics in hundreds of classrooms around the world in his role as a teacher, a researcher, and a school leader. Best of all for us, he knows how to articulate those perspectives with clarity and wit.” ―Dan Meyer, International speaker on mathematics education and one of Tech & Learning’s 30 Leaders of the Future Providing effective leadership for school mathematics programs is particularly challenging in an era of both ambitious Common Core State Standards and unprecedented pressure to raise mathematics achievement. In this updated edition of the bestselling Sensible Mathematics , Steve Leinwand provides principals, teacher leaders, math coaches and administrators with specific guidance on how to make the necessary shifts in curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional development to meet and exceed the Common Core State Standards in mathematics. Even more important, he shows us why these changes are so urgently needed if we truly are to prepare students to become mathematical thinkers in a 21 st century world. Making these critical shifts requires strong, clear, and effective leadership. Sensible Mathematics serves as a guiding light through the sea of change and provides a broad array of practical strategies for implementing the standards, as well as how-to game plans for overcoming obstacles and challenges. Other topics of discussion include: Making the case for change: strategies, ammunition, and compelling examples 10 characteristics of sensible, sense-making mathematics Math Coaches: how to recruit the best and support their efforts Intervention: providing effective support services Technology and instruction: providing access for teachers and students 15 key components of a high performance mathematics program Success stories: school leaders who made a difference Sensible Mathematics is a call-to-arms for positive, realistic change that empowers teachers and prepares students for our changing world. Make a difference―move your school mathematics program into the 21 st century. Review: Be Prepared to Be Held to a Higher Standard - I bought this book after reading a review of it in my NCTM journal. I was looking for a better way to reach my students, and hoped this book would help me find that spark. It's amazing and will completely change how you look at your mathematics classroom. I've read about and used some authentic math tasks before, and I went into this book knowing their value. This book hammers it home. I'm currently a teacher, not a coach or administrator, but this book made me think. We have a math coach at our school, and I actually don't want to lend him the book because he will want to turn the math program upside-down. Forget about direct instruction and skills practice. This is real mathematics. This book offers advice to administrators, coaches, and team leaders to help change the attitudes and practice of teachers to reflect the current reality of the classroom. Although it continuously reminds the reader to approach teachers in a collaborative and supportive manner, I worry that a teacher will be poorly evaluated for not showing a daily embracement of the approach outlined in this book. The book is heavy on the theory and conviction but in an inspiring way. It does include samples of a few units done in real classrooms that are inspiring and eye-opening. It supports the common core standards. I highly recommend this book to coaches`and administrators as well as teachers who are looking to lead their school in change. It is a must-read for today's leaders in math education. Review: Five Stars - Using for MA class and will use as reference afterward.