Developing Deep Knowledge in Middle School Mathematics

Book excerpt: This textbook is for prospective teachers of middle school mathematics. It reflects on the authors’ experience in offering various mathematics education courses to prospective teachers in the US and Canada. In particular, the content can support one or more of 24-semester-hour courses recommended by the Conference Board of the Mathematical Sciences (2012) for the mathematical preparation of middle school teachers. The textbook integrates grade-appropriate content on all major topics in the middle school mathematics curriculum with international recommendations for teaching the content, making it relevant for a global readership. The textbook emphasizes the inherent connections between mathematics and real life, since many mathematical concepts and procedures stem from common sense, something that schoolchildren intuitively possess. This focus on teaching formal mathematics with reference to real life and common sense is essential to its pedagogical approach. In addition, the textbook stresses the importance of being able to use technology as an exploratory tool, and being familiar with its strengths and weaknesses. In keeping with this emphasis on the use of technology, both physical (manipulatives) and digital (commonly available educational software), it also explores e.g. the use of computer graphing software for digital fabrication. In closing, the textbook addresses the issue of creativity as a crucial aspect of education in the digital age in general, and in mathematics education in particular.