"Through rough draft thinking and talk, teachers and students are building knowledge together rather than competing for answers. That is, this book provides us with the framework for developing inclusive spaces for connecting mathematical ideas, knowledge generation, and positioning each and every student as worthy of being heard and seen."
-From the foreword by Robert Q Berry III, past president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Talking and writing about unfinished ideas is vital to learning mathematics, but most students only speak up when they think they have the right answer - especially middle school and high school students. Amanda (Mandy) Jansen and her collaborating teachers have developed a breakthrough approach to address this challenge. In Rough Draft Math, Jansen shares the power of infusing math class with the spirit of revision so that students feel comfortable thinking aloud as they problem-solve rather than talking only to perform right answers. Creating a Community of Learners: As part of the rough draft framework, a class of students becomes an equitable and inclusive community of thinkers, one where students feel safe to engage in discourse while developing mathematical competency and confidencePractical Application of Innovative Ideas: This book includes specific teaching techniques and a range of classroom vignettes showing rough draft math in action within a student-centered teaching approach. Children are able to develop solutions at their own pace and share thought processes behind their conclusionsClassroom Tested: Jansen has developed the concept of rough draft math in collaboration with a diverse group of dynamic and reflective teachers. Rough Draft Math provides a blueprint for educators to allow free-thinking discussion while maintaining the mathematical learning goalsIn Rough Draft Math, Mandy Jansen shows how to create an energetic classroom culture where students readily participate and share their evolving understanding while engaging in math talk, collaborative problem solving, and ongoing revision of ideas. "Rough Draft Math can help teachers create a classroom environment where learning is seen as a process, not an event."
-Dr. Margaret (Peg) Smith, co-author of 5 Practices for Orchestrating Productive Mathematical Discussions
Talking and writing about unfinished ideas is vital to learning mathematics, but most students only speak up when they think they have the right answer - especiall