What are the best ways to give all students the coherence and deep understanding of math concepts, plus the related skills for real-world application? This month's issue of Educational Leadership asks questions such as: Should we require all students to learn higher mathematics? At what age should algebra be introduced? Would a national curriculum be beneficial? How can math be made more meaningful?

Check out these articles from the November EL:

• Nine Ways to Catch Kids Up
• Why Aren't More Minorities Taking Advanced Math?
• How Mathematics Counts
• Perspectives: Speaking of Math
  Read  |  Listen (MP3, 6 mins. 59 secs.)

Supporting High-Quality Math Learning—After School

The informal aspects of after-school math enrichment, such as games, hands-on activities, and group work, can often unlock the door into math that students otherwise might not enter.  more

Using Math to Teach Thinking

Cindy Hansford believes we need to help students become thinkers by asking them to attempt problems, examine answers, share strategies, and reexamine their processes and solutions.  more (PDF) 

Principles for Making Middle School Mathematics More Equitable

Middle school math teachers create more access and opportunities for students by providing real-world relevance, hands-on experience, and attention to students' needs.  more 

Making Number Sense

Watch 3rd grade math resource teacher Brenda Hammond employ questioning techniques to get students to use their spatial sense to better grasp the concept of fractions.

watch the video
read the transcript 

The Big Idea

Matthew Bardoe wants teachers to move math beyond the reductionism of formulas and realize math's lasting value for deepening both abstract thought and logic.  more 

The Lesson Collection: Math Strategies Tapes 17-24  

This ASCD video includes eight tapes that offer instructional strategies for elementary, middle, and high school math—from measuring area to algebra II.

Also see:

• Book: Priorities in Practice: The Essentials of Mathematics, K-6: Effective Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment