"This book is a game changer! Strengths-Based Teaching and Learning in Mathematics: 5 Teaching Turnarounds for Grades K- 6 goes beyond simply providing information by sharing a pathway for changing practice. . . Focusing on our students’ strengths should be routine and can be lost in the day-to-day teaching demands. A teacher using these approaches can change the trajectory of students’ lives forever. All teachers need this resource!     Connie S. Schrock Emporia State University National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics President, 2017-2019 NEW COVID RESOURCES ADDED:  A Parent’s Toolkit to Strengths-Based Learning in Math is now available on the book’s companion website to support families engaged in math learning at home. This toolkit provides a variety of home-based activities and games for families to engage in together. Your game plan for unlocking mathematics by focusing on students’ strengths. We often evaluate student thinking and their work from a deficit point of view, particularly in mathematics, where many teachers have been taught that their role is to diagnose and eradicate students’ misconceptions. But what if instead of focusing on what students don’t know or haven’t mastered, we identify their mathematical strengths and build next instructional steps on students’ points of power? Beth McCord Kobett and Karen S. Karp answer this question and others by highlighting five key teaching turnarounds for improving students’ mathematics learning: identify teaching strengths, discover and leverage students’ strengths, design instruction from a strengths-based perspective, help students identify their points of power, and promote strengths in the school community and at home. Each chapter provides opportunities to stop and consider current practice, reflect, and transfer practice while also sharing ·         Downloadable resources, activities, and tools ·         Examples of student work within Grades K–6 ·         Real teachers’ notes and reflections for discussion It’s time to turn around our approach to mathematics instruction, end deficit thinking, and nurture each student’s mathematical strengths by emphasizing what makes them each unique and powerful. 

Table of Contents:
Foreword Introduction – An Invitation to Turnaround Why Strengths-Based Instruction? Who is Strengths-Based Mathematics Teaching For? What are Mathematics Strengths we See in Students? Exploring Your Own Math Identity Moving to a Strengths-Based Perspective Practices that Build a Strengths Cycle The Five Teaching Turnarounds Chapter 1 - Identify Your Teaching Strengths What Do You Believe About Your Students′ Learning? What Do Students Think You Believe? Summary Chapter 2 - Turnaround Mathematical Proficiencies, Processes, and Practices Building Mathematical Proficiency Through a Strengths-Based Lens Building Mathematical Practices and Dispositions Through a Strengths-Based Lens Building Strengths in Problem Solving Building Strengths in Communication Building Strengths in Reasoning and Proof Building Strengths in Connections Building Strengths in Representations Summary Chapter 3 - Your Students’ Mathematics Content Strengths Building Mathematical Content Knowledge Through a Strengths-Based Lens Building and Recognizing Strengths in the Meaning of Number and Operations and Algebraic Thinking Count to show how numbers represent quantity Count to show how numbers represent quantity Develop Strategies to Add, Subtract, Multiply, and Divide Building and Recognizing Strengths in Understanding Number and Operations - Fractions Building and Recognizing Strengths in Geometry van Heile’s Geometric Conceptual Understanding Level 0: Visualization van Heile’s Geometric Conceptual Understanding Level 1: Analysis Summary Chapter 4 – Turnaround Grouping Practices Planning Effective Strength-Based Instruction Fixed versus Flexible Grouping Practices Long-Term Whole-Class Ability Grouping Small-Group In-Class Ability Grouping Flexible Grouping Strategies Strength’s Based Flexible Grouping Practices Mixed-Strength Whole-Group Instruction Homogeneous-Strength Small Groups Targeted Small Group Instruction Through a Strengths-Based Lens Summary Chapter 5 – Turnaround Tasks High Cognitive Tasks Turnaround a Task: Designing a Personalized, Strengths-Based Instructional Task Individualized Personalization Funds of Knowledge Three Perspectives for Adapting a Task to Support Student′s Strengths Access and Equity Mathematical Goals Formative Assessment Promoting Strengths Through Parallel Tasks Exploratory Discourse About Tasks Math Amendments: Revising the Task Solution Summary Chapter 6 - Turnaround Feedback The Importance of Feedback in a Strengths-Based Classroom Teacher-to-Student Feedback From a Strengths Perspective Teacher to Student Feedback Loop Elements of Teacher to Student Feedback Student-to-Teacher Feedback from a Strengths Perspective Prior to the Lesson During the Lesson Closing the Lesson Student-to-Student Feedback from a Strengths Perspective Classroom-Based Formative Assessment and Feedback Observation Interview Show Me Hinge Question Exit Task Summary Chapter 7 - Turnaround Students’ Identities Windows and Mirrors Our Teacher Mirror Translation Task Don′t Miss an Opportunity to Recognize a Student′s Points of Power Students′ Productive Dispositions Students Self Analyze their Strong Points Summary Chapter 8 - Turnaround Professional Learning Communities Supporting Teachers′ Strengths The Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Framework Whole School Agreement Summary Chapter 9 - Turnaround Family Communication Engaging Families in Strengths-Based Talk Incorporating Family and Community Strengths Working Together to Share Mathematical Ideas Family Math Resources Conferences with Family Members from a Strengths-Based Perspective Summary Epilogue - Turnaround Reflection References