Extending the Challenge in Mathematics
Developing Mathematical Promise in K-8 Students
- Linda Jensen Sheffield - Northern Kentucky University, USA
This book is designed to help the general education mathematics teacher challenge his/her student(s) with mathematical promise. By providing math teachers with ready-to-use activities and the tools to create their own activities that will add depth to the standard curriculum, this book will help gifted/talented students in the regular classroom reach their full potential.
This book goes beyond the concept of mathematically gifted students who were traditionally defined as the top three to five percent of students based on one standardized mathematics test or another. Mathematically promising students are defined as those who have the potential to become the leaders and problem solvers of the future. Mathematical promise is described by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Task Force on Mathematically Promising Students as a function of ability, motivation, belief, and experience/opportunity. By factoring motivation levels and access to challenging courses in with innate ability, the discovery and talent development of mathematically gifted students is more accurate than before.
"The best source I have seen challenging mathematically talented students. The activities are thought provoking and enjoyable. I will recommend this book to parents as well as educators of mathematically talented students!"
"This is a distinctive book deserving to be in the vanguard of provision for mathematically promising pupils. Equally accessible to teachers and mathematics educators, this book offers ideas and step-by-step procedures on how to use them. The content is guided by enlightened principles emanating from substantial, well-informed experience of the author. A unique resource indeed."
"It is an excellent 'how-to' book for teachers that will help them ratchet up a seemingly simple math concept to stimulate critical and creative thinking in talented students. I find this book combines the best of mathematics content as outlined by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics with the best of gifted education instructional strategies. It should be on the shelf of every elementary math teacher!"
"Sheffield has successfully packaged her exciting, unique vision for teaching all students as if they have the potential to become mathematically gifted. This easy-to-use resource includes compelling mathematical activities in a simple format for encouraging deep thinking and mathematical creativity. Extending the Challenge in Mathematics has it all--brain research theory, models for creative thinking, blackline masters with open-ended problems at graduated levels of difficulty for all four mathematical strands, in-depth discussion of solutions and extensions, and a very extensive list of Internet resources. Finally—a realistic, concrete guide for teaching challenging reform mathematics. Any math teacher could undoubtedly use it right away!"
"I would recommend this book highly to anyone working with mathematics instruction for the gifted. It's an outstanding resource."
"This book will make a delightful addition to any teacher's classroom tool kit."