Introduction

professional development of classroom teachers, in order to promote, support, andsustain effective mathematics instruction.Chapters 2 through 9 together describe the various instructional andassessment strategies and resources that contribute to effective mathematicsinstruction. These chapters offer suggestions that teachers will turnto again and again for guidance as they teach students mathematics,improving their own skills and helping their students develop a solidunderstanding of foundational mathematical concepts.Chapters 2 through 9(in Volumes One through Four)provide descriptions of instructionaland assessment strategiesand resources that contributeto effective mathematicsinstruction.Chapter 2: Principles Underlying Effective Mathematics Instruction outlines theconnections between research and practice and establishes a foundation for all mathematicsinstruction and assessment. Chapter 3: Planning the Mathematics Programguides teachers through the kinds of decisions they need to make to create effectivedaily, unit, and yearly plans that meet the learning needs of their students.At the heart of effective mathematics instruction is the goal of developing in studentsboth a good understanding of mathematical concepts and an ability to communicatethat understanding. Chapters 4 to 6 focus on the ways in which teachers can best meetthis goal. In Chapter 4, the benefits of providing an appropriate mix of instructionalapproaches – namely, guided, shared, and independent instruction – are examined.Chapter 5 focuses on the most effective method for developing and consolidatingstudents’ understanding of mathematical concepts in the primary and junior grades –that of teaching both through problem solving and about problem solving. Chapter 6:Communication emphasizes the importance of promoting oral communication aboutmathematics in the primary and junior grades, and describes a number of strategiesthat foster “math talk” and, later, math writing in the classroom.Important supports for the successful implementation of effective instruction areexamined in Chapter 7: Classroom Resources and Management and Chapter 9: HomeConnections. Chapter 7 provides an overview of the components of an effectivelearning environment, including the development of a community of mathematicallearners, effective timetabling, a physical arrangement of the classroom that supportsvarious instructional strategies, and the effective management of manipulatives. Thechapter on home connections describes a variety of ways to promote positive communicationwith parents about the mathematics program – for example, by organizing afamily math night, sharing information during parent-teacher conferences, and providingmeaningful homework activities.Chapter 8: Assessment and Evaluation focuses on the critical role of assessment inmaking effective instructional decisions, and highlights the importance of observationas an assessment strategy in the primary or junior mathematics classroom. A varietyof other appropriate assessment strategies and tools are also described.xA Guide to Effective Instruction in Mathematics, Kindergarten to Grade 6 – Volume One