Group+Work

=Groupwork in the Elementary Mathematics Classroom=

The course was designed around the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ (NCTM) standards of reform. The course supported looking at high level tasks and use of groupwork among other types of mathematics instruction. This course is outlined to help students add to their abilities of teaching. Many preservice teachers have seen teaching of mathematics for at least 13 years (from Kindergarten to their senior year of high school). They have seen styles of mathematics teaching that replicate a “teacher demonstrates and students work exercises” pattern. In part, one of the purposes of my construction of this course is to help the students see that there is more available to their teaching of mathematics. This is accomplished through using diverse tasks and helping the students view different teaching tools as tools.

Resources: Cohen, E. G. (1994). //Designing groupwork: Strategies for the heterogeneous classroom// (2nd ed.). New York: Teacher’s College Press.

NCTM. (1991). //Teaching Standards for School Mathematics//. Reston, VA: NCTM.

NCTM. (2000). //Principles and Standards for School Mathematics//. Reston, VA: NCTM.

Smith, M. S. (2001). //Practice-based professional development for teachers of mathematics//. Reston, VA: NCTM.