Groundbreaking Book Series Promotes Deeper Understanding of Mathematics

BLOOMINGTON, IN--(Marketwired - May 26, 2016) -   Solution Tree, a premier educational publisher and professional development provider, has announced the release of Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching, a groundbreaking four-book series by Dixon Nolan Adams Mathematics that aims to make the teaching and learning of mathematics accessible to every instructor and student at each grade level.

Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching is a user-friendly resource that presents teachers and administrators with a logical progression of pedagogical actions, classroom norms, and collaborative strategies aimed at increasing their knowledge and improving overall mathematics instruction. Readers will explore a variety of approaches and techniques-including modeling and reasoning-to improve as both a learner and teacher of mathematics and to provide all students with the precise, accurate information they need to achieve academic success.

Throughout the series, the authors guide teachers to develop a deep, personal understanding of mathematics content and to clearly communicate that content to students at each grade level. Writing about Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching Grades K-2, Amy Keller of Grant Wood Area Education Agency in Iowa states, "As a mathematics consultant, this is a must-read book [and] a 'must-have' in your professional library to validate the appropriate mathematics that students and teachers need to know at this level."

Discussing Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching Grades 6-8, Kevin Dykema, a mathematics teacher at Mattawan Consolidated School in Michigan, describes the book as "an excellent addition to the world of mathematics education. The problems posed promote teacher and student thinking and learning … good, deep thinking. The progressions within each topic are outstanding. It is so beneficial and powerful to see how the concepts are developed throughout the middle school years."

Brian Dean, a senior instructional specialist for 6-12 mathematics at Pasco County Schools in Florida, likewise finds Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching High School to be "the first book I have ever come across that addresses the mathematics and the pedagogy needed to be an effective mathematics teacher. It puts the theory into action, and it is nice to see mathematics educators practice what they preach! It is our duty to shift our practices and mindsets because our students deserve better."

Making Sense of Mathematics for Teaching is now available at SolutionTree.com.

About the Authors

Juli K. Dixon, PhD, is a professor of mathematics education at the University of Central Florida. Her research focuses on improving teachers' mathematics knowledge so they can communicate and justify mathematical ideas and expect their students to explain their mathematical thinking. She has taught mathematics at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels.

Edward C. Nolan is preK-12 director of mathematics for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. He has 19 years of classroom experience in both middle and high schools and was department chair for 15 years. His research interests lie in supporting students to develop algebraic thinking and reasoning. 

Thomasenia Lott Adams, PhD, is associate dean for research and faculty development in the College of Education at the University of Florida. She is also a professor of mathematics education in the School of Teaching & Learning. She has taught undergraduate and graduate teacher preparation courses and has served as a mathematics coach at the elementary, middle, and secondary levels.

Series Co-Authors

Janet B. Andreasen, PhD

Guy Barmoha, PhD

Lisa A. Brooks, EdD

Erhan Selcuk Haciomeroglu, PhD

Tashana D. Howse, PhD

George J. Roy, PhD

Farshid Safi, PhD

Jennifer M. Tobias, PhD

About Solution Tree

Solution Tree delivers comprehensive professional development to schools and districts around the world. Solution Tree has empowered K-12 educators to raise student achievement through a wide range of services and products including educator conferences, customized district solutions for long-term professional development, books, videos, online courses, and more.