Brain-Compatible Mathematics

Second Edition

Diane Ronis - Southern Connecticut State University, USA

Foreword by Bena Kallick

Other Titles in:
Learning Styles | Mathematics & Numeracy | Teaching Methods & Learning Styles

November 2006 | 200 pages | Corwin

'This is an interesting book with many good ideas - for both classroom ideas and for changing the way we view assessment. For those needing extra ideas for develop their teaching this is an ideal book' - Peter Hall, Imberhorne School, East Grinstead

Each brain is different, and when teachers teach problem-solving skills to help students arrive at their own solutions, students go beyond mere memorization of facts to being an actual participant in the development of mathematical understanding. In an informative and relevant approach, Diane Ronis presents teachers and mathematics co-ordinators with an emphasis on thinking, mathematical representation, and construction of ideas and an abundance of:

Sample lessons, units, and strategies

Brain-friendly strategies for maths teaching

How-to guides for creating more brain-tuned maths teaching

Ideas for incorporating technology into the maths curriculum

Planning templates for immediate use

By integrating maths learning into real-world applications, students can actively practice what they learn, make meaning out of their everyday experiences, and think mathematically for success within today's information age.

Foreword

Preface

Publisher's Acknowledgements

Introduction

About the Author

1. Performance-Based Learning and Assessment

Traditional Versus Brain-Friendly Assessments

Importance of Performance Assessment

Alignment of Curriculum and Assessment

Assessment as Continuous Monitoring

Assessment as Tool for Learning

Grades K-2 Units

2. The Six Pillars of Performance Task Development

Set Up Clear Performance Goals

Employ "Authentic" Project Tasks

Teach and Emphasize Criteria Levels and Performance Standards

Provide Models and Demonstrations of Excellence

Teach Strategies Explicitly

Use Ongoing Assessments for Feedback and Adjustments

Brain-Compatible Framework

Grades 3-5 Units

3. Multiple Intelligences and Brain-Compatible Learning

Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Multiple Intelligences Model

Assessment for Multiple Intelligences

Grades 6-8 Units

4. Performance-Based Instructional Strategies

Cooperative Learning

Writing and Communicating in the Classroom

Classroom Practice

Challenge Project Unit

5. Problem-Solving Strategies

Instructional Strategies

Problem Exploration

Heuristics

Study Skills, Thinking Skills, and Thinking Processes

Mnemonic Techniques

Organizational Strategies

Patterning

Challenge Project Unit

6. Teaching and Assessing With the Rubric

Scoring Rubrics

Categories for Rubrics

Types of Rubrics

Brain-Compatible Assessment

Challenge Project Unit

7. Teaching and Assessing With the Portfolio

Student Evaluations

Portfolio Assessment

A Portfolio System

Conclusion

Principles and Standards for School Mathematics

Glossary

Resources

Bibliography

Index

“Ronis grounds her pedagogy in the current understanding of how the brain operates and in multiple intelligences. This book provides rich classroom examples with management tools to move teachers immediately into practice.”

From the Foreword by Bena Kallick

"Provides theory and practice and carefully grounds pedagogy in the current understanding of how the brain operates and multiple intelligences. The book offers rich classroom examples with management tools to move teachers immediately into practice."

Bena Kallick, Educational Consultant

"A fine key to successful teaching: it takes advantage of a student's natural inclination to learn and pairs this with the latest brain research on learning to provide a set of lessons and strategies linked to 200 UCTM standards. Any math teacher must read this."

California Bookwatch, December 2006