About the Book
Ambitious teaching requires ambitious coaching
Over a decade ago, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and Corwin co-published the modern classic, 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematics Discussions, aimed at guiding teachers to improve the quality of mathematics discussions in their classrooms and create an equitable learning environment for students. The bestselling series, The 5 Practices in Practice series, followed to further explore the five practices within grade bands, empowering teachers to overcome challenges in orchestrating mathematics discussions. And now, esteemed mathematics expert Peg Smith and her author team, take the 5 practices to the next level with Coaching the 5 Practices.
Written for coaches, instructional leaders, professional developers, and teacher educators, Coaching the 5 Practices: Supporting Mathematics Teachers in Orchestrating Productive Discussions will be the lynchpin to supporting teachers who are committed to engaging students in productive discussions in mathematics classrooms. The book introduces a coaching model that creates opportunities for teacher learning through one-on-one interactions with a coach. This model focuses on the specific challenges teachers face and opportunities they can lean into as they are learning to support productive mathematics discussions around the 5 practices of anticipating, monitoring, selecting, sequencing, and connecting (as well as Practice 0 of setting goals and selecting tasks).
Through three phases of a coaching cycle--before a lesson, during a lesson, and after a lesson, this coaching model
Focuses on ambitious teaching in mathematics, aiming to ensure that every student succeeds in high-quality academic work
Follows iterative cycles of various touchpoints between the coach and a teacher
Emphasizes what a coach needs to do to support teacher learning throughout the cycle
With narrative examples and vignettes, lesson plans, pre-lesson and post-lesson conference plans, and other artifacts collected from real coaching sessions and classrooms, Coaching the 5 Practices is a valuable resource for education professionals who work with teachers to improve the quality of mathematics instruction. Through the efforts of Coaching the 5 Practices, teachers will continue to refine their craft and become increasingly more skilled at implementing the 5 practices in ways that support the learning of each and every student.
About the Author :
Margaret (Peg) Smith is a Professor Emerita at University of Pittsburgh. Over the past two decades she has been developing research-based materials for use in the professional development of mathematics teachers. She has authored or coauthored over 90 books, edited books or monographs, book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles including the best seller Five Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematical Discussions now in its second edition (Corwin and NCTM, 2018) as well as the three Five Practices in Practice books for elementary, middle, and high school teachers (Corwin 2019-2020), She was a member of the writing team for Principles to Actions: Ensuring Mathematical Success for All and she is a co-author of two new books (Taking Action: Implementation Effective Mathematics Teaching Practices Grades 6-8 & 9-12) that provide further explication of the teaching practices first describe in Principles to Actions. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (2001-2003; 2003 - 2005), of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (2006-2009), and of Teachers Development Group (2009 - 2017).
Mary Kay Stein is the Director of the Learning Research & Development Center at University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on mathematics teaching and learning in classrooms and the ways in which policy and organizational conditions shape teachers' practice. Dr. Stein's most recent research examines how curricula can serve as a learning tool for teachers in large-scale improvement efforts. Along with Peg Smith, Dr. Stein is the author of The Five Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematical Discussions, now in its second edition (Corwin and NCTM, 2018) Over the past several years, Dr. Stein has been a principal or co-principal investigator of a number of grants from both public (the National Science Foundation, the Institute for Educational Sciences) and private (Spencer, MacArthur) foundations; and in 2014, she was selected as a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association.
Bilge Yurekli is a research associate at the Learning Research & Development Center at University of Pittsburgh. Her research focuses on teaching mathematics for conceptual understanding and pre-service teacher′s self-efficacy in mathematics teaching.
Review :
I wish I had this book when I started coaching! The model and the examples of its use are perfect for new coaches and for those of us who have been coaching for years. It offers clear, actionable steps that help us work on moving teachers to a discourse and thought based mathematics classroom that emphasizes conceptual learning and understanding.--Frederick L. Dillon "Strongsville, OH"
The pathway to ambitious teaching is wide and long. This book helps to narrow that pathway by giving you a framework for effective coaching so teachers can shift their instructional practices to follow the 5 Practices. Use these strategies and you will facilitate deep, reflective discussions that will bring insight and relief to a teacher who needs it.--Jon Orr "Ontario, Canada"
This book centers teachers' own thinking on their journeys of instructional improvement, and exudes appreciation for the wisdom of practice. This practical guide for coaching is designed with explicit attention to the parallels between ambitious teaching and coaching. The theories of teaching and learning underlying the coaching model and the model itself are rich and relevant for supporting coaches' and teachers' learning.--Ruth Heaton "Portland, OR"
This book presents a comprehensive coaching model designed for those supporting math teachers who are navigating challenges in implementing the 5 Practices. With its excerpts from authentic coaching conversations, readers can pause, analyze, and reflect to develop their coaching practice. A must-have, practical resource for anyone wondering how to effectively coach teachers in implementing the 5 Practices.--Jennifer Kruger "Rochester, NY"
What a gem and a "must" for every coach's professional library. In this clearly written and wonderfully focused book, Smith, Yurekli, and Stein begin with a clear vision of "ambitious teaching" that is based on the powerful structure of the 5 Practices, and develop an accessible, example-laden guide to impactful coaching of mathematics. By focusing on the challenges teachers face, coaches are provided with a coherent process for significantly improving how math is taught.--Steve Leinwand "Arlington, VA"
Coaching the 5 Practices will be a catalyst for sense-making and deep mathematical learning in the classroom. Smith, Yurekli, and Stein outline a brilliant coaching cycle that focuses on teacher-identified challenges and incorporates video from the lesson to generate the debrief conversation. Coaches and leaders can reflect on challenging coaching scenarios and build an understanding of the tools and processes of planning for an impactful coaching cycle.--Melanie Cifonelli "Syracuse, NY"
Coaching the 5 Practices introduces us to a coaching model designed to support teachers as they plan for orchestrating productive discussions. Using this model, coaches work collaboratively with teachers as they engage in an inquiry cycle that reinforces the importance of pre-planning, reflection, and encouragement in a productive teacher-coach relationship. This user-friendly model, along with the additional tools, resources, and samples, is a welcome addition to the 5 Practices family!--Latrenda Knighten "Baton Rouge, LA"
As a 5 Practices math coach, I've eagerly awaited a resource like Coaching the 5 Practices. After reading, I promptly incorporated strategies--such as facilitating teachers' reflection and setting clear goals--to enhance my coaching, all while upholding teacher ownership. The inclusion of case studies, coaching conversation scripts, and templates brought the framework to life and enabled me to visualize immediate application. This book is a must-have for all ambitious math coaches!--Mona Iehl "Chicago, IL"
I love how this book offers explicit guidance on the "how" of coaching for mathematical discourse, deeper conversations, and teaching growth. Coaching the 5 Practices offers transformational tips and features that empower both teachers and coaches. I'm excited to begin implementing this user-friendly and much needed coaching model into my practice.--Desiree Y. Harrison "Arlington, VA"
