The Mathematics Lesson-Planning Handbook, Grades 3-5
Your Blueprint for Building Cohesive Lessons
NCTM Stock Number is 15701.
Corwin Mathematics Series
“This book brings together the best of Visible Learning and the teaching of mathematics. The chapters on learning intentions, success criteria, misconceptions, formative evaluation, and knowing thy impact are stunning. Rich in exemplars, grounded in research about practice, and with the right balance about the surface and deep learning in math, it's a great go-to book for all who teach mathematics.”
—John Hattie, Laureate Professor, Deputy Dean of MGSE, Director of the Melbourne Education Research Institute, Melbourne Graduate School of Education
YOU are the architect in the mathematics classroom.
When it comes to mathematics lessons, do you sometimes feel overly beholden to the required texts from which you teach? Do you wish you could break the mold, but feel like you get conflicting guidance on the "right” things to do? How often do you find yourself in the last-minute online scramble for a great task activity that will capture your students' interest and align to your state standards?
In The Mathematics Lesson-Planning Handbook, Grades 3–5: Your Blueprint for Building Cohesive Lessons, you’ll learn the streamlined decision-making processes that will help you plan the focused, research-based, standards-aligned lessons your students need. This daily reference offers practical guidance for when and how to pull together mathematics routines, resources, and effective teaching techniques into a coherent and manageable set of lesson plans. This resource will
- Lead teachers through a process of lesson planning based on various learning objectives
- Set the stage for lesson planning using relatable vignettes
- Offer sample lesson plans for Grades 3–5
- Create opportunities to reflect on each component of a mathematics lesson
- Suggest next steps for building a unit from the lessons
- Provide teachers the space and tools to create their own lesson plans going forward
Based on years of classroom experience from seasoned mathematics educators, this book brings together the just-in-time resources and practical advice you need to make lesson planning simple, practical, and doable. From laying a solid foundation to choosing the right materials, you’ll feel confident structuring lessons that lead to high student achievement.
Supplements
“This book brings together the best of Visible Learning and the teaching of mathematics. The chapters on
learning intentions, success criteria, misconceptions, formative evaluation, and knowing thy impact are
stunning. Rich in exemplars, grounded in research about practice, and with the right balance about the
surface and deep learning in math, it’s a great go-to book for all who teach mathematics.”
“This handbook supports teachers in moving from pacing to planning instruction by providing the tools
needed to ensure that mathematics lessons work for every student. More important, it will engage teachers
in the critical process of continual improvement. It is a must-have for teachers, leaders, and mathematics
educators alike!”
“Often teachers entering the classroom have had little opportunity for extensive lesson planning in their
preparation programs. Throughout the book, definitions and explanations are clear so that readers share a
common understanding of the language. As a teacher reads, the vignettes encourage the reader to reflect on
similar situations in their own classrooms. The well-written questions included in the text will help guide
teachers to personal insights that ultimately lead to increased student learning.”
“We all know that good instruction is well-planned instruction. We also know that effective lesson planning is
a complicated decision-making process. This incredibly practical book—filled with delightful vignettes and
clarifying examples—provides powerful ideas and structures for simplifying the complexities of planning great
3–5 mathematics lessons. This book is a wonderful resource for teachers, coaches, administrators, and teacher
educators.”
“Finally! The Mathematics Lesson-Planning Handbook provides that necessary blueprint for serious analysis
of the planning process. Planning to teach mathematics is serious business, and this book goes way beyond
thinking about the mathematics standard/objective for the next day’s lesson, or jotting notes for a planning book.
The handbook will truly engage teachers and communities of learning in a carefully choreographed grade-level
designated thread of mathematics tasks, which will serve as anchors for developing understanding and use of
each aspect of the planning process. This book is a treasure, and will be read, reread, and referenced daily!”
“The Mathematics Lesson-Planning Handbook is a comprehensive and practical guide for coaches and teachers
of mathematics in Grades 3–5. It provides the background that teachers need before they even begin to write
a lesson plan! It then incorporates the research on what teachers need to think about as they begin to lay out
a plan for instruction that will meet the needs of all 3–5 students and moves on to effective facilitation. This
guide provides a roadmap to planning effective lessons that will provide the essential foundation to ensure that
all primary-level students begin their mathematics journey with high-quality teaching and learning. This book
is a must for every 3–5 teacher, coach, or school’s professional library!”
“One of the hallmarks of accomplished elementary teachers of mathematics is the guidance they provide to
help students own how to learn. In The Mathematics Lesson-Planning Handbook: Your Blueprint for Building
Cohesive Lessons, authors Kobett, Harbin Miles, and Williams provide a clear, engaging, and masterful
roadmap for helping each and every teacher own the lessons they design and use each and every day. The
authors reveal the purposes, the success criteria, and the nature of the mathematical tasks and materials to be
chosen. They describe in detail the student engagement necessary to design daily mathematics lessons that
will significantly impact student learning. Reading, listening to, and using their wisdom and advice will result
in an empowering impact on each and every teacher and teacher leader of elementary mathematics.”
“This is what we’ve been waiting for: a go-to resource for planning and facilitating mathematics lessons in
elementary school! Teachers must consider the needs of their students, relevant mathematical content, and
appropriate pedagogy when designing and implementing effective learning opportunities. Through authentic
vignettes and examples, connections to relevant research, and guiding reflection questions, this Handbook
guides readers through the process from beginning to end.”
“Planning is so much more than identifying materials, making copies, or filling out a form. Many of us
were not trained to identify purpose, think about our students, look for quality instructional tasks, consider
representations, or anticipate what our students will do. Finally, this handbook is here! We have our blueprint.
This tool is a must-have for anyone new to teaching mathematics or anyone else who supports those who teach
mathematics.”
“This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to challenge themselves to reexamine their math instruction.
The interesting examples and challenging reflection questions make this book perfect for individual or group
reading.”