Anything is possible – even building a better relationship with math! This is much more than a book about math. This is a book about hope. Imagine failing 11th grade math – twice! – and going on to be known affectionately as The Lady Gaga of Math. That is the story of author Vanessa "The Math Guru" Vakharia. Thanks to an inspiring teacher who helped Vanessa heal her own relationship with math, Vanessa was then able to see math in a way that literally changed the trajectory of her life. Most people have experienced math trauma at least once, but by early-mid elementary school, many students have gotten the message that either they are a math person or they are not. In Math TherapyTM, Vanessa shows that with the right tools and strategies, teachers can foster a culture in which every student is capable of building a better relationship with math – and with themselves. Through the five M’s of Math TherapyTM—Mythbust, Moderate, Motivate, Makeover, and Measure—teachers can help their students overcome math trauma, cultivate a positive math identity, and develop a mathematical mindset. Written in a fun and conversational style, and grounded in research on math education and neuropsychology, this book Provides practical, hands-on strategies and tools that make it easy and fun for teachers to implement each step of Math TherapyTM in their classroom Helps teachers unpack their own math history before diving in to what they can do to help their students Addresses the trauma-induced stumbling blocks that many students face when tackling mathematics Includes humorous and engaging real-life vignettes—from celebrating Pi Day by visiting a prison, to setting off a confetti cannon to celebrate a student’s milestone, to the time Vanessa′s band opened for Bon Jovi, and more! Much more than a book about helping students kick butt in math class, this book is about empowering students to develop the skills they need to live a life in which they truly believe that anything is possible, even a better relationship with math!

Anything is possible - even building a better relationship with math! This is much more than a book about math. This is a book about hope. Imagine failing 11th grade math - twice! - and going on to be known affectionately as The Lady Gaga of Math. That is the story of author Vanessa "The Math Guru" Vakharia. Thanks to an inspiring teacher who helped Vanessa heal her own relationship with math, Vanessa was then able to see math in a way that literally changed the trajectory of her life. Most people have experienced math trauma at least once, but by early-mid elementary school, many students have gotten the message that either they are a math person or they are not. In Math Therapy(TM), Vanessa shows that with the right tools and strategies, teachers can foster a culture in which every student is capable of building a better relationship with math - and with themselves. Through the five M's of Math Therapy(TM)--Mythbust, Moderate, Motivate, Makeover, and Measure--teachers can help their students overcome math trauma, cultivate a positive math identity, and develop a mathematical mindset. Written in a fun and conversational style, and grounded in research on math education and neuropsychology, this book Provides practical, hands-on strategies and tools that make it easy and fun for teachers to implement each step of Math Therapy(TM) in their classroom Helps teachers unpack their own math history before diving in to what they can do to help their students Addresses the trauma-induced stumbling blocks that many students face when tackling mathematics Includes humorous and engaging real-life vignettes--from celebrating Pi Day by visiting a prison, to setting off a confetti cannon to celebrate a student's milestone, to the time Vanessa′s band opened for Bon Jovi, and more! Much more than a book about helping students kick butt in math class, this book is about empowering students to develop the skills they need to live a life in which they truly believe that anything is possible, even a better relationship with math!

Tasks in Primary Mathematics Teacher Education is intended to advance relevant research and innovative international practices in the preparation and professional development of mathematics teachers. Emerging from discussion at the ICMI study on teacher professional development, this volume, focused on primary and elementary teachers, culls a richness that can only be found by gathering wisdom from varied experiences around the world. The choice of tasks, and the associated pedagogies, is a key aspect of teaching and learning mathematics. Arguing that what students learn is largely defined by the tasks they are given, several major themes are presented. One such major strand, the form, function and focus of tasks, is discussed throughout several chapters, offering analysis, discussion of implementation, and exemplars of a broader category of illustrative techniques for developing critical understanding.

This book is about mathematical resilience: what it is, why it is important, how learners can develop it and how teachers can teach in ways that help learners become mathematically resilient. Teaching for mathematical resilience helps mitigate mathematics anxiety, which is often hidden from view as poor behaviour, avoidance and underachievement and can have long-term implications especially for people’s employment opportunities and career progression. Written by a team of expert contributors that specialise in teaching every age of learner from primary school through to adult, the book shows that everyone can progress in mathematics if they have Mathematical Resilience and sets out practical strategies to support learners in developing this important attribute. Chapters cover: How to measure mathematics anxiety and resilience Tools for building mathematical resilience Building a resilient mathematical learning environment The power of coaching Working with groups, individuals and support staff Supporting parents and carers The world faces huge challenges that involve mathematical thinking, including climate change and economic injustice. This valuable text shows teachers how they can help learners to engage positively with mathematical learning and reach their full potential.

Frazzled by fractions? Tortured by times tables? Let The Math Guru guide you! Anyone can be a math person -- and this book will help! It's designed for kids (and their parents) struggling with math anxiety and looking for a new approach to homework, studying, tests and marks. The most common problem areas in the curriculum are broken down and explained in an affirming and upbeat tone. Author and Math Guru Vanessa Vakharia is passionate about doing away with negative stereotypes, reducing math anxiety, and creating a positive math experience for every student and she wants to be your new math BFF! Kids will encouraged to explore online resources, including inspirational videos, worksheets and additional activities.

A yearlong learning adventure designed to help you build a vibrant math community A powerful math community is an active group of educators, students, and families, alive with positive energy, efficacy, and a passion for mathematics. Students, teachers, and leaders see themselves and each other as mathematically capable and experience mathematics as a joyful activity. Power Up Your Math Community is a hands-on, 10-month guide designed to help you and your school maximize your students’ math learning and strengthen your mathematics teaching and learning community. Each chapter offers a month’s worth of practice-based professional learning focused on a desired math habit alongside parallel math problems and learning activities for teachers to use themselves and with students. This format allows educators to work together to improve math teaching and learning across a school year, building a strong foundation for students′ mathematical proficiency, identity, and agency. The book ignites solutions and advocates for rigorous and joyful mathematics instruction for everyone—including school leaders, teachers, students, and their families. Authors Holly Burwell and Sue Chapman provide educators with a detailed roadmap for creating a positive and effective math community that supports all students′ mathematical learning by Offering guidance on building a math community with chapter vignettes and prompts such as Mathematical Me, Let’s Do Some Math, Since We Met Last, Let’s Try It, Math Talks, Manipulatives and Models Matter, Game Time, and more Emphasizing an assets-based approach to teaching math that recognizes the unique strengths and experiences of each student Providing strategies for promoting growth mindset in math and equity and inclusion in math education Focusing on both classroom-level and building-level improvement as well as offering support for teachers, instructional coaches, principals, and district leaders Power Up Your Math Community will inspire you to reimagine the way you teach math and empower you with the tools to make a lasting impact on your students′ mathematical understanding. So, get ready to power up your math community and watch as your students thrive in their mathematical journey!

Tobias' lucid explanations help take the sting out of math anxiety and make math more accessible. Updated chapters demonstrate how little we really know about sex differences in brain function and new programs, many for women only, are described in detail. Illustrations.