Uncovering Student Thinking in Mathematics: 25 Formative Assessment Probes by Cheryl Rose Tobey, Leslie Minton, Carolyn Arline, Carolyn B. Arline

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Synopsis

Use formative assessment probes to take the guesswork out of mathematics instruction and improve learning!

Students learn at varying rates, and if a misconception in mathematics develops early, it may be carried from year to year and obstruct a student's progress. To identify fallacies in students' preconceived ideas, Uncovering Student Thinking in Mathematics offers educators a powerful diagnostic technique in the form of field-tested assessment probes--brief, easily administered activities to determine students' thinking on core mathematical concepts.

Designed to question students' conceptual knowledge and reveal common understandings and misunderstandings, the probes generate targeted information for modifying mathematics instruction, allowing teachers to build on students' existing knowledge and individually address their identified difficulties.

Linked to National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards, this invaluable handbook assists educators with:

• 25 ready-to-use mathematical probes
• Teacher guides for implementing each probe at any grade level
• Examples of typical obstacles and faulty thinking demonstrated by students

This rich resource combines standards, educational research findings, and practical craft knowledge to help teachers deliver informed instruction that strengthens all students' learning and achievement in mathematics.

Biography

Leslie Minton is currently a mathematics project director for the Maine Mathematics and Science Alliance, Augusta, Maine. She is currently a co-director of the Teacher Student Learning Continuum, a project funded in part by an award from the Maine Department of Education, which provides financial and technical assistance to five Maine school districts. She is the project director for the Early Mathematical Thinking project (EMT), a collaboration among 25 Maine school sites engaging in a pilot of both a professional development course and program assessment materials centered around the mathematical development of K-4 students. She is a fellow of the second cohort group of Governor's Academy for Science and Mathematics Educators. She has taught regular and special education for Grades 4 through 12. Leslie received her B.S. in elementary and special education from the University of Maine at Farmington and her M.Ed. in curriculum, instruction and assessment from Walden University.