Help your students to think critically and creatively through team-based problem solving instead of focusing on testing and outcomes.
Professionals throughout the education system are recognizing that standardized testing is holding students back. Schools tend to view children as outcomes rather than as individuals who require guidance on thinking critically and creatively. Awesome Math focuses on team-based problem solving to teach discrete mathematics, a subject essential for success in the STEM careers of the future. Built on the increasingly popular growth mindset, this timely book emphasizes a problem-solving approach for developing the skills necessary to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively.
In its current form, math education is a series of exercises: straightforward problems with easily-obtained answers. Problem solving, however, involves multiple creative approaches to solving meaningful and interesting problems. The authors, co-founders of the multi-layered educational organization AwesomeMath, have developed an innovative approach to teaching mathematics that will enable educators to:
- Move their students beyond the calculus trap to study the areas of mathematics most of them will need in the modern world
- Show students how problem solving will help them achieve their educational and career goals and form lifelong communities of support and collaboration
- Encourage and reinforce curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity in their students
- Get students into the growth mindset, coach math teams, and make math fun again
- Create lesson plans built on problem based learning and identify and develop educational resources in their schools
Awesome Math: Teaching Mathematics with Problem Based Learning is a must-have resource for general education teachers and math specialists in grades 6 to 12, and resource specialists, special education teachers, elementary educators, and other primary education professionals.
| Acknowledgments |
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xi | |
| About the Authors |
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xiii | |
| Introduction |
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xvii | |
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Chapter 1 Rewards for Problem-Based Approach: Range, Rigor, and Resilience |
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5 | (8) |
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5 | (4) |
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Rigor Taps Critical Thinking |
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9 | (1) |
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Resilience Is Born Through Creativity |
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10 | (3) |
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Chapter 2 Maximize Learning: Relevance, Authenticity, and Usefulness |
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13 | (14) |
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13 | (1) |
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14 | (2) |
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Mathematical Relevance: The Math Circle Example |
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16 | (2) |
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18 | (3) |
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Authenticity: The Cargo Cult Science Trap |
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21 | (1) |
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22 | (3) |
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25 | (2) |
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Chapter 3 Creating a Math Learning Environment |
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27 | (20) |
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Know Yourself: Ego and Grace |
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27 | (3) |
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30 | (5) |
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35 | (12) |
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Chapter 4 What Is the Telos? |
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47 | (10) |
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Autonomy to Solve Your Problems |
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47 | (1) |
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48 | (2) |
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Purpose with Competitions |
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50 | (2) |
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52 | (5) |
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Chapter 5 Gains and Pains with a Problem-Based Curriculum |
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57 | (18) |
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58 | (3) |
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61 | (6) |
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67 | (8) |
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II Teaching Problem Solving |
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Chapter 6 Five Steps to Problem-Based Learning |
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75 | (28) |
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Start with Meaningful Problems |
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75 | (4) |
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Utilize Teacher Resources |
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79 | (12) |
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Provide an Active Learning Environment |
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91 | (6) |
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Understand the Value of Mistakes |
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97 | (2) |
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Recognize That Everyone Is Good at Math |
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99 | (4) |
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Chapter 7 The Three Cs: Competitions, Collaboration, Community |
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103 | (44) |
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103 | (4) |
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107 | (10) |
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117 | (4) |
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Aspire to Inspire: Stories from Awesome Educators |
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121 | (26) |
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147 | (30) |
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Relate/Reflect/Revise Questions |
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147 | (1) |
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148 | (3) |
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151 | (4) |
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Squaring Numbers: Mental Mathematics |
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155 | (2) |
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The Number of Elements of a Finite Set |
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157 | (2) |
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159 | (4) |
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163 | (2) |
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165 | (3) |
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Equilateral versus Equiangular |
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168 | (2) |
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170 | (2) |
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Area and Volume of a Sphere |
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172 | (5) |
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Chapter 9 Angles and Triangles |
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177 | (8) |
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177 | (1) |
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177 | (1) |
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Angles and Parallel Lines |
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177 | (3) |
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180 | (5) |
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Chapter 10 Consecutive Numbers |
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185 | (6) |
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185 | (1) |
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185 | (6) |
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191 | (8) |
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191 | (1) |
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191 | (8) |
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Chapter 12 Triangular Numbers |
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199 | (6) |
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199 | (1) |
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199 | (6) |
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Chapter 13 Polygonal Numbers |
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205 | (8) |
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205 | (1) |
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205 | (8) |
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Chapter 14 Pythagorean Theorem Revisited |
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213 | (8) |
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213 | (1) |
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213 | (1) |
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214 | (1) |
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214 | (2) |
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216 | (3) |
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219 | (2) |
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221 | (6) |
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221 | (1) |
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221 | (1) |
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Introduce a Geometric Progression |
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222 | (5) |
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Chapter 16 Pigeonhole Principle |
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227 | (8) |
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227 | (1) |
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227 | (8) |
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Chapter 17 Viviani's Theorems |
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235 | (4) |
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235 | (1) |
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235 | (4) |
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Chapter 18 Dissection Time |
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239 | (6) |
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239 | (1) |
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239 | (6) |
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Chapter 19 Pascal's Triangle |
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245 | (10) |
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245 | (4) |
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249 | (6) |
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255 | (4) |
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255 | (1) |
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255 | (4) |
| Index |
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259 | |
Dr. Titu Andreescu is an Associate Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas in the Science and Mathematics Education department. As a mathematics educator and leader, he has developed math camps, competitions, and curricula that have received international attention. Titu was a long-time head coach of Team USA participating in the International Math Olympiad. He is cofounder of AwesomeMath, a premiere mathematics camp held across the United States.
Kathy Cordeiro, MBA, is a leading developer of education initiatives for business and academia. She founded Eudaimonia Academy, where she coached mathematics teams and worked with highly and profoundly gifted students. Other roles include facilitator for the Metroplex Math Circle as well as Director of Marketing and Communications for AwesomeMath, where she was able to work with the finest mathematical minds from across the globe. She continues to speak about maximizing mathematics education for parents, schools, and gifted organizations.
Alina Andreescu, MA, is the co-founder and Operations Director of AwesomeMath and founder of XYZ Press. She fosters an international community of staff, students, and instructors that values critical thinking, creativity, passionate problem solving, and lifetime mathematical learning.
