Brain-Compatible Mathematics

Recharge your math instruction with brain-friendly teaching units! Students′ brains are wired to make them natural, curious learners. The mathematical world around them offers a vast classroom, filled with shapes, spaces, quantities, and experiences to discover and explore, all leading to the construction of understanding. Teachers can use this natural curiosity to tap the inborn neural mechanisms that motivate students to learn—to make relevance and meaning of their surroundings. Brain-Compatible Mathematics, Second Edition bridges the findings from the realms of brain research and improved mathematics instruction through updated teaching samples, connections to the most recent standards, newest research findings, and integration to other content areas. Each brain is different, and when teachers teach problem-solving skills to help students arrive at their own solution paths, students go beyond mere memorization of facts and algorithms to being an actual participant in the development of mathematical understanding. In an informative and relevant approach, Diane Ronis presents teachers and math leaders with an emphasis on thinking, mathematical representation, and construction of ideas and an abundance of: Sample lessons, units, and strategies linked to 2000 NCTM standards Brain-friendly strategies for math teaching that meet NCLB requirements How-to guides for creating more brain-tuned math teaching Ideas for incorporating technology into the math curriculum Planning templates for immediate use By integrating math 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.

Table of Contents:
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

About the Author :
Diane Ronis is a professor of education at Southern Connecticut State University and has a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction. Her drive to make learning meaningful to all students comes from 17 years of teaching middle school and high school mathematics and fine arts as well as eight years of experience instructing preservice teachers at the college and graduate level. Ronis has been a presenter and keynote speaker at numerous conferences, workshops and seminars, and is the author of Brain Compatible Mathematics, Brain Compatible Assessments, Critical Thinking in Math, Problem Based Learning for Math & Science: Integrating Inquiry and the Internet, and Clustering Standards in Integrated Units.

Review :
“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.” "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." "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."