Understanding and Teaching Primary Mathematics [Paperback]

Understanding and Teaching Primary Mathematics is a full colour, core textbook for anyone training to teach Maths at primary level.  A self-audit is provided at the outset to assess your prior knowledge and highlight areas for your personal development.  The book will then help you to develop your mathematical understanding by encouraging you to think mathematically. You will be asked to create an action plan to aid your development and this will also allow you to build up a portfolio of evidence to help you achieve QTS (Qualified Teacher Status). 

Rather than treating subject knowledge and pedagogy as two separate entities, the book sets maths subject knowledge in context, showing you how to apply it in the classroom, through models and cases of best practice. Misconception boxes appear throughout each chapter to highlight common misconceptions children have in maths and help you to make connections between different areas of mathematics so that your pupils will see mathematics as a whole rather than a series of separate and often disparate ideas.  Case studies in each chapter also provide you with an exemplar lesson plan annotated by a new teacher which shows you how to deal with a common misconception.  This book will help you to deliver Maths at primary level in a clear and confident manner.

‘Tony Cotton's book will enable students to not only develop their own mathematical skills and subject pedagogy, it will also enhance their understanding of the Primary Mathematics Framework. This book is essential reading for anyone studying to teach Primary education.’

Paul Killen, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics Education, Liverpool John Moores University

‘This book challenges the students to gain a better understanding of mathematics and consequently become more confident teachers. The material is very engaging and the anecdotes from personal experience ring true and provide recognisable images with which students can identify.’

Chris Heard, Senior Lecturer in Maths, University of Wales, Newport

• True or false? If you double the perimeter of a rectangle you double its area.
• Can you write down 2.75 as a fraction and a percentage?
• What is the probability of throwing a five on a six-sided dice?

This exciting new text will not only help you enhance your mathematical subject knowledge to be able to answer these questions with confidence, it will equip you with the curriculum knowledge and pedagogical knowledge you need to excel at teaching maths to primary children of any age.

Written in a clear, accessible way and packed with useful features, Understanding and Teaching Primary Mathematics is an indispensable resource for anyone training to become a primary teacher.

• Progression sections throughout the book demonstrate how mathematical ideas can be taught to different age groups
• Links to the classroom and research enable you to relate educational theory to real teaching practice
• Audit and portfolio tasks allow you to monitor your subject knowledge and build up a portfolio of evidence for Qualified Teacher Status
• Teaching points highlight common misconceptions in the classroom
• In practice sections show exemplar lesson plans and hints on evaluation
• Using ICT is covered in a dedicated chapter and integrated throughout the book
• Extra chapter on how to pass the Numeracy QTS skills test

The book is accompanied by a free CD-ROM and a Companion Website at www.pearsoned.co.uk/cotton. Use these to access a wealth of additional resources, including interactive software that you can use both for your own study and in the classroom, sample lesson plans, self-audits and glossary flashcards.

Tony Cotton is Associate Dean at Leeds Metropolitan University. He has 15 years' experience teaching maths education and 10 years' experience teaching maths in schools.