Teach your students to become decision makers who rely on their own mathematical thinking.
Fluency in mathematics is more than adeptly using basic facts or implementing algorithms. Real fluency involves reasoning and creativity, and it varies by the situation at hand.
Figuring Out Fluency in Mathematics Teaching and Learning offers educators the inspiration to develop a deeper understanding of procedural fluency, along with a plethora of pragmatic tools for shifting classrooms toward a fluency approach. In a friendly and accessible style, this hands-on guide empowers educators to support students in acquiring the repertoire of reasoning strategies necessary to becoming versatile and nimble mathematical thinkers. It includes:
Fluency is more than a toolbox of strategies to choose from; it's also a matter of equity and access for all learners. Give your students the knowledge and power to become confident mathematical thinkers.
Jennifer M. Bay-Williams is a professor of mathematics education at the University of Louisville, where she teaches preservice teachers, emerging elementary mathematics specialists, and doctoral students in mathematics education. She has authored over 40 books and 100 journal articles/book chapters, many of which focus on procedural fluency and developing mathematical proficiency. Beyond the Figuring out Fluency series, these include Math Fact Fluency, and Everything you Need for Mathematics Coaching and Elementary: Teaching Developmentally and Middle School Mathematics. Jennifer¿s national leadership includes NCTM Board of Directors, the TODOS: Mathematics for All Board of Directors, and as president and secretary of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (AMTE).
Foreword by Christina Tondevold
What Does Fluency Really Mean and Why Does it Matter?
Fluency Fallacies and Related Truths
Good (and Necessary) Beginnings for Fluency
Seven Significant Strategies for Developing Fluency
Automaticity Beyond the Basic Facts
Fluency Practice is Not a Worksheet
Beyond Accuracy: What We Need to Assess and the Tools to Do It
Engaging Families in Fluency
Fluency Is the Focus: Planning, Agreement, and Action
Appendix A: Activity List
Appendix B: Strategies and Automaticities Reference Page