Elementary and Middle School Mathematics: Teaching Developmentally

Elementary and Middle School Mathematics illustrates how children in PreK to 8th grade learn math, and then shows the most effective methods of teaching math using problem-based activities. Examples of real student work and common challenges help you visualize developmentally appropriate mathematics instruction and assessment that supports and challenges all learners. Clear discussions detail how to teach each topic, what a learning progression for that topic might be, and what worthwhile tasks look like. Hundreds of classroom-ready activities show how you can engage students with the concepts. A valuable reference to consult throughout your teaching career, Elementary and Middle School Mathematics helps you develop pedagogical strategies now, and in your future teaching.

The 11th Edition reflects the Common Core State Standards and NCTM's Principles to Actions, as well as current research and the latest teaching technology.

This print textbook is available for students to rent for their classes. The Pearson print rental program provides students with affordable access to learning materials, so they come to class ready to succeed.

About our authors

Dr. John A. Van de Walle (1943 to 2006) was a professor emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University. He was a leader in mathematics education who regularly gave professional development workshops for K to 8 teachers in the United States and Canada focused on mathematics instruction that engaged students in mathematical reasoning and problem solving. He visited and taught in many classrooms and worked with teachers to implement student-centered mathematics lessons. He co-authored the Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Mathematics K-6 series and contributed to the original Pearson School mathematics program, enVisionMATH. Additionally, John was very active in the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), writing book chapters and journal articles, serving on the board of directors, chairing the educational materials committee, and speaking at national and regional meetings.

Dr. Karen S. Karp is a professor at Johns Hopkins University (Maryland). Previously, she was a professor of mathematics education at the University of Louisville for more than twenty years. Prior to entering the field of teacher education, she was an elementary school teacher in New York. She is the coauthor of Strengths-Based Teaching and Learning in Mathematics: 5 Teaching Turnarounds for grades K-6, the three-book series The Math Pact: Achieving Instructional Cohesion within and Across Grades, and the What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide on Assisting Students Struggling with Mathematics: Intervention in the Elementary Grades. She is a former member of the board of directors for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and a former president of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators. In 2020, she received the NCTM Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2021 became a member of the United States National Committee on Mathematics Instruction. She continues to work in classrooms to support teachers in ways to instruct students with special needs in math.

Dr. Jennifer Bay-Williams is a professor at the University of Louisville. She is a leader in mathematics education, continually working to support mathematics instruction. Beyond her work on this book and the related Teaching Student Centered Mathematics book series, Jennifer has most recently authored a book series called Figuring out Fluency in Mathematics K-12 and Math Fact Fluency: 60+ Games and Assessment Tools to Help Learning and Retention. For teacher leaders, she has authored Everything You Need for Mathematics Coaching. In the area of financial literacy, she authored a three-book series titled On the Money. Over the years, Jennifer has taught elementary, middle, and high school in the U.S. and in Peru. She continues to work with teachers around the world and in her local school districts to support their work. Jennifer has been actively involved in NCTM, NCSM, AMTE, and TODOS: Mathematics for All. Currently she is serving as an associate editor for Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching in preK-12.

About the contributor

Dr. Jonathan Wray is the technology contributor to Elementary and Middle School Mathematics, Teaching Developmentally (6th through 11th editions). He is the Coordinator for Secondary Mathematics in the Howard County Public School System. He has served as the president of the Association of Maryland Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMMTE) and the Maryland Council of Teachers of Mathematics (MCTM) and manager of the Elementary Mathematics Specialists and Teacher Leaders (EMS & TL) Project. Jon also served as an elected member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Board of Directors (2012 to 2015). He has been recognized for his expertise in infusing technology in mathematics teaching and was named an outstanding technology leader in education by the Maryland Society for Educational Technology (MSET). Jon is the recipient of the 2020 Ross Taylor / Glen Gilbert National Mathematics Leadership Award given by the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics.