Examining Mathematics Practice through Classroom Artifacts

By: Lynn Goldsmith, Nanette Seago

Teachers need to be able to diagnose what their students do and don't understand about mathematics. This book helps teachers become more analytic about their students' thinking by showing them how to use student artifacts to evaluate what is happening in the classroom.

Focusing on elementary through middle grades, Examining Mathematics Practice through Classroom Artifacts investigates what classroom artifacts are, how to interpret them, and ways to use these data to improve mathematics instruction.

Co-written by Nanette Seago, Project Director at WestEd, the book:

• Offers a guiding framework for working with mathematics artifacts that focuses on two essential elements — using artifacts to assess students' mathematical thinking and students' understanding of mathematical content
• Incorporates a variety of real artifacts and illustrations from elementary through middle grades including samples such as video, homework, interviews, lessons, worksheets, discussions, and transcripts
• Shows how teachers can gain a new perspective on their own classroom practice by using student work as a tool that informs instruction
• Develops teacher confidence in using classroom artifacts by offering a capstone Putting It All Together chapter, chapter exercises, study questions, sample completed worksheets, links to classroom practice, and pertinent commentary
• Includes references to Common Core State Standards in side bars and commentary sections in most chapters