A Focus on Fractions: Bringing Research to the Classroom ( Studies in Mathematical Thinking and Learning

A Focus on Fractions: Bringing Research to the Classroom ( Studies in Mathematical Thinking and Learning (Paperback) )


Contributor(s): Petit, Marjorie M (Author), Laird, Robert E (Author), Marsden, Edwin L (Author)


ISBN: 0415801516 EAN: 9780415801515


Binding: Paperback

Pub Date: May 10, 2010



- Education | Teaching Methods & Materials | Mathematics
- Education | Elementary
LC Subjects:
-Fractions -Study and teaching (Elementary)
-Study and teaching (Middle school) -Ratio and proportion
-Number concept in children
187 pages



Choice (03/01/2011):
School curricula around the world put a heavy emphasis on fractions, yet many children find fractions difficult to understand. Petit, Laird (Univ. of Vermont), and Marsden (Norwich Univ.) bring together several issues concerning the teaching and learning of fractions in elementary schools. The book begins with the importance of using multiple models in the teaching of fractions and provides examples of how children taught by using only one model of fractions (e.g., area model) cannot demonstrate an understanding of fractions when the problem is presented in the context of another model (e.g., set model) and vice versa. It provides examples of children's work in each chapter, including their preconceptions and misconceptions about fractions. Because thought processes used by children are often novel, readers will find children's work presented in the book to be interesting and sometimes intriguing. The work provides insights into difficulties understanding fractions and ways to help children develop a better understanding of concepts. Primarily because of extensive samples of student work, this is a valuable book for mathematics educators involved in K-8 classrooms. Summing Up: Recommended. Graduate, research, and professional collections. -- H. P. Koirala, Eastern Connecticut State University (Reprinted with permission of Choice, copyright 2011, American Library Association)

Review Quotes:

"To watch teachers interact with the research and practical suggestions in this book is exhilarating. The real joy, however, is seeing them use this learned knowledge as they instruct their students. This is a book for all of us who have struggled to help students make sense of fractions."

--Mary Montgomery Lindquist, Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Mathematics Education, Emeritus, Past President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

"A Focus on Fractions draws on research from mathematics education to produce a classroom-friendly system of formative assessment. Classroom teachers, mathematics educators, teacher education students, and researchers in the field will find what is in this book useful and interesting."

-- Judith Zawojewski, Associate Professor, Illinois Institute of Technology

"This book is a tour de force in relating research and practice in mathematics education, and as such it should also be of great interest to researchers and graduate stu

Review Quotes:

..".Readers will find children's work presented in the book to be interesting and sometimes intriguing. The work provides insights into difficulties understanding fractions and ways to help children develop a better understanding of concepts. Primarily because of extensive samples of student work, this is a valuable book for mathematics educators involved in K-8 classrooms....Recommended."--CHOICE

"To watch teachers interact with the research and practical suggestions in this book is exhilarating. The real joy, however, is seeing them use this learned knowledge as they instruct their students. This is a book for all of us who have struggled to help students make sense of fractions."--Mary Montgomery Lindquist, Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Mathematics Education, Emeritus, Past President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

"A Focus on Fractions draws on research from mathematics education to produce a classroom-friendly system of formative assessment. Classroo


A Focus on Fractions is the first book to make cognitive research on how students develop their understanding of fraction concepts readily accessible and understandable to pre- and in-service K? 8 mathematics educators. This important resource assists teachers in translating research findings into their classroom practice by conveying detailed information about how students develop fraction understandings as well as common student misconceptions, errors, preconceptions, and partial understandings that may interfere with students learning. Using extensive annotated samples of student work, as well as vignettes characteristic of classroom teachers? experiences, this book equips educators with knowledge and tools to reveal students? thinking so that they can modify their teaching to improve student learning of fractions concepts.

Special Features:

End of Chapter Questions provide teachers the opportunity to analyze student thinking and consider instructional strategies for their own students.
Instructional Links help teachers relate concepts from the chapter to their own instructional materials and programs.
Big Ideas and Research Reviews frame the chapters and provide a platform for meaningful exploration of the teaching of fractions.
Answer Key posted online offers extensive explanations of in-chapter questions.

A Focus on Fractions bridges the gap between what mathematics education researchers have discovered about the learning of fraction concepts and what teachers need to know to make effective instructional decisions.

Review Citations:

Choice 03/01/2011 (EAN 9780415801515, Paperback)
Choice 03/01/2011 (EAN 9780415801508, Hardcover)

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