What's Math Got to Do with It?: How Teachers and Parents Can Transform Mathematics Learning and Inspire Success

Just...WOW.This book is a must-read for teachers, maths teachers, school principals, administrators...AND PARENTS! Especially if you are a parent who matches ANY of the following:- Your child has good grades in maths, but is convinced that they are no good at it (ESPECIALLY if that child is a girl),- Your middle-grader is going to a school where the A students will learn alongside the D students and you are worried about your child's learning (prepare to open your mind on this one),- Your child isn't doing well at maths at all, and you/they/both of you are worried/convinced that they are not good at maths (it's not true),- Your child finds maths class to be repetitive and dull and completely boring,- You love maths but your child finds it boring,- Your child hates memorizing times tables (or finds this pointless) and finds that the main means of evaluation in their maths class (same for kids who hate the mindless repetition of endless worksheets, drills and silent timed speed tests),- You are convinced that maths must be more useful / more interesting / more exciting than it is in the classroom.I am not a maths major and don't choose to read about mathematics in my free time. But I checked this out of the library and suddenly (by the second chapter) was so spellbound, I returned it, bought my own copy and started marking the daylights out of it. It is at once a sad, sobering reminder of how disastrous the traditional mathematics curriculum really is, and a concrete introduction to practical ways to stuff that old Victorian model out of the window and expose the vibrant, creative and interesting world that numbers and mathematics really is.Because ALL kids and adults CAN do maths and do it well...but they have to be allowed to be interested, engaged, encouraged, to struggle with it, have high expectations made of them AND to be allowed to experience it as a way of thinking, not just a test of memory, speed or the ability to mindlessly follow the steps laid out before them.And if your child currently does extremely well under the traditional system, and you feel threatened by a "different way" that might unseat your child from their high grades....fear not. Almost all children do even better when they engage in the creativity of maths, and they will certainly enjoy it more and actually learn flexible problem-solving that can go int the real world.As the book explains and as most maths students can tell you, school-taught maths is dry, formula-based worksheet repetition that is geared towards getting "the right answer" over actually knowing WHY formulas, numbers and mathematics actually WORK. Because understanding maths is richer and more useful that just getting the right answer. That's why we have calculators. And it's the difference between rote memorizing and knowledge/education. Before I read this I had not known that mathematicians are apparently absurdly bad at "getting the right numerical answer"...because that isn't as important as actually being able to understand, use and creatively understand the world through numbers and mathematics.As a super-plus, this book is not dry drudge-reading, despite the number of studies cited and explained. It is an eminently exciting read (even for the numbers-challenged) and gives actual problems to demonstrate the techniques and a means of using the information with your child to expose the hidden joy of mathematics. There are recommendations, resources, and ideas on how to include the joy of learning with numbers with your child. And for teachers, there are tools for engaging event the most unruly, willfully disconnected and jaded students, even if you happen to teach...say....geography.The only caveat for both parents and those in education is to open your mind, because this is revolutionary as compared to the maths environment that has been in place for over a century of public education. Entertain the idea that maybe we haven't got it right, or if you believe that we have, that just maybe...the world is a different one now than it was more than a century ago, and the ways these kids need to mathematically engage with it is not the same as those who were only beginning to accept that man might actually build a flying machine that could work.To say that a Victorian approach to maths lessons actually addresses the needs of tomorrow's creative thinkers is ludicrous, to say the least. It all makes so much sense....UPDATE: Bought second copy for the principal of a local school. Wish all principals would be receptive of this, but even one can change the world of the students they are responsible for! (Note that I could not bring myself to relinquish my OWN copy!)

This book helped get me refreshed and ready to change the way I run my classroom. A well needed reset for after COVID.

I have recommended this book to so many people already. I homeschool my kids, and this book has turned me into a total math geek. I understand now why I became so frustrated with math in high school, and and working with my kids to instill a real love of numbers and mathematics. This is just a fascinating look at how kids (and adults) learn math, how they enjoy it, and how you as a parent or teacher can instill a love of math in your kids. This may be my favorite book I've read all year.

This book fully addresses the need for changing math instruction and the important role teachers and parents have in student success. Math instruction should emphasize current learning and brain research so that all students can access the love of math. This book gives practical solutions as well as reasonable suggestions without blaming teachers. It encourages math for all students, not just the math elite.The ideas presented are great ways to encourage the love of math for All People.

Reading through this book unraveled forgotten memories about ways I had felt towards math the struggles and accomplishments. I am excited to use some of the things I learned from this read in my future classrooms when it comes to the environment of the classroom and the words I use for encouragement.

See my review for Barry Garelick's book--"Math Education in the USA: Still Crazy After All These Years".I think Boaler's book points those of us who teach mathematics in a very good direction. Though I still use some traditional methods, I have embraced many of Boaler's ideas to continuously change the way I teach high school mathematics. It is a great book with some very good examples of problems that will help forge the kind of teaching and learning we need to implement in this constantly evolving world.

I love the philosophy and perspective of this book. I only wish it would have outlined specific ways to teach in this way because it isn't easy,especially if your district requires you to follow a tightly paced "basal" math program (although her Stanford website is working on this). Jo Boaler writes with passion without talking down to teachers who have never thought or known how to teach a different way. Lots of research quoted. Worth a read.

This book tells a very important story, in an extremely accessible way, supported by a huge volume of research. A must read for all teachers and parents at least. Have you ever felt you are no good at maths? Or worse, that you want to run a mile whenever you see something maths-like? Professor Boaler explains some of the ways this is caused, and she demonstrates how it can be avoided for those not yet afflicted and how it might be remedied in those who have such fears. In the running for my most important book of the year.

I loved Jo’s refreshing look at math instruction and her research. I recommend if you want to understand the why’s of the reform approach. I’m going to get some of her workbooks for to try on my kids as I study to be a teacher.

This book reminds us all what math is all about - problem solving & fun. It’s not meant for boring repetition, not knowing why.The best quote to help us understand why teaching the practicality and application of math is found on page 29 relating math to music. If you only use “drill and kill” methods (discussing sheet music) “... adjusting the notes on the page, receiving checks and crosses from the teachers, but never playing the music.”, students will not continue. Math is the same.If we keep this in mind, we can share the fun of math with our children. Whether we are a teacher or a parent, our responsibility is to bring the fun back and not just share the mechanics. Let’s let the kids into the secret and let them “play the music” of math.

I'm not a teacher, just a curious parent with some interest in the subject...No doubt, this book is a great read for any math teacher but parents can benefit from it as well. The title of the book is a perfect reflection of its content. Very well written! An easy and educating read, with many useful insights. Concise and interesting book about Math education, based on years of experience from one of the world's top Math educators.Filled with facts and based on research from the author herself as well as from other sources, you learn to appreciate what proper Math teaching is all about, and how important Math is for raising smart and capable children.

One of the best book I have read, had may question since childhood but we're never answered, I wish I had this understanding during my childhood. This knowledge is much needed and we must change the was we do maths in school !!!

I really enjoyed this easy reading book which included many different examples to explain the concepts. I will be using this during my math planning in combination of other resources.