Teachers Engaged in Research: Inquiry into Mathematics Classrooms, Grades 6-8

reviewed by Eileen Quinn Knight - September 25, 2006

The aim of this edited volumeand in truth, the whole seriesis to understand the passion of the teacher-researchers who have offered us insights into their math classrooms.  While many passionate authors contribute to this particular text, the intent of these teacher-researchers is threefold: to transform their teaching practice, expand the mathematical knowledge and skill of their students, and enhance the life chances of their students in the world (p. xii).  The research stories are written with vibrant humility and clarity.  Just as the teacher-researchers came to the realization of what works in their classrooms, they offer their understandings to their fellow teachers in order to assist them in teaching in the classroom.

In the forward of the series, Cochran-Smith presents us with the richness of this particular text.  She states: ...[T]he use of inquiry has generally reflected a move away from transmission models of teacher training and retraining&toward a concept of teacher learning as a life-long process of both posing and answering questions appropriate to local contexts&(p. xiii)  This statement provides the major trajectories of the text.  More specifically, it gives us a view into the lives of the researchers and the passion they have for solving their questionsnot necessarily to present to the research community, but rather, to ascertain ways of assisting the students before them in their classes.  This action research is rich with stories about the struggles the researchers have with the question under investigation and the formulation of ways to think about the solution.  The research is presented in a very readable form so that those who struggle with the concepts will be able to think in new ways.  

Parini (2005) describes the qualities of the teacher-researchers in his book, Art of Teaching:  You have to teach out of who you are.  That is the only way you will succeed, as a professional, as a teacher and scholar, as a member of the community of scholars. The essential journey in this profession is toward self-knowledge; this will involve getting lost in order to get found, losing your thread, having to revise your sense of reality over and over, frequently adjusting to new information, new contexts (p. 105). Parinis analysis of the teaching and learning paradigm comes through very clearly in the researchers report of what is going on in the math classrooms.  The text is not filled with educational jargon nor does it attempt to appeal to some powerful force in the textbook industry; instead, it is written to assist the reader in teaching and thinking about mathematics in a new waya way that is needed for the 21st century.

The series was written for teachers by teacher-researchers who are attempting to teach for deeper understanding.  This deeper understanding manifests itself by engaging students in substantive explorations and discussions about social structures and practices that matter in their lives (p. 114).  Some common themes of the research are to engage students in mathematical thinking and to examine teacher practices.  One way to look at mathematical thinking comes across in a research example concerning word problems. One of the most difficult strategies for teachers is to assist students in the understanding of word problems.  It is not for the faint of heart to get students deeply involved in solving word problems.  The dense symbol system of mathematics comes to life through the solving of word problems, which allows students to deeply understand the concepts. In another research study, the researchers engage the students in complex mathematical concepts that are embedded in word problems. The emphasis is on authentic mathematical tasks. Their strategy is to make connections to big ideas that include mathematics, history and culture. In so doing, they empower the students in mathematical strategies that make sense to each individual and provide a deeper understanding of the concepts.

 

In another research study, the researchers develop projects and assessments designed for students to apply mathematics in new situations. The reader can feel the passion of the researchers in designing projects and assessments with the students. In this collaborative effort, the students use the concept of backward design to make their teaching/learning meaningful to each person involved.

What I want the students to be able to accomplish in the math classroom is the focus of several research chapters in this text. (This supports the second theme of teacher practices.)  The researchers encourage teachers to reflect on their own practice and to self-analyze their work.  This self-analysis provides the students with a sense of meaningful work in the understanding of the concepts under construction.

The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) (2000) calls for an investigation of the ways we evaluate students in the mathematics classroom. They call for an analysis that connects the students everyday knowledge of mathematics to their school knowledge. With this in mind, the researchers encourage ongoing questioning of what works, how it works, and why it works as it does. This realization again empowers the students to be in charge of their mathematical knowledge and concepts, and ties assessment in a very deep way to the understanding of the concepts.

Another research study that follows the findings of the NCTM is the need for collaboration in the math classroom. This need has been documented by many researchers, including Knight & Becker (1994), when they provided qualitative evidence indicating that the students that worked together in Knights class reported that they learned more when they talked over the math concepts with their colleagues.  In the study in this series, the researchers encourage the students to work together so teachers as well as students can think together and supply support for one another during their daily work in the math classroom.

Two of the chapters emphasize the skills of the teacher in attempting to figure out what the students already know in order to build from that knowledge.  In the past, we often attempted to work off a deficit model in which the weaknesses of the students were delineated. The research presented focuses on the strengths of the learner and how we can teach from his or her strengths. These strengthsor what researchers call prior knowledgefuels and engages the student to realize how he or she can make sense out of the math concepts being taught.

A rather important, yet idiosyncratic research study looks at a strong conceptual understanding of the mathematics that is fundamental to make sense out of such issues as profit and loss, racial profiling, economic systems, budgets and other global issues. This is a very unique, fundamental use for mathematical knowledge that brings the reader to realize the vast importance math plays in every facet of our lives.

Why read this book?  One of the most important outcomes of this book is the richness of the dedication of the authors of the text. It specifically gives us authentic methods of assessment, collaborative models of teaching, a discussion of the connection between math and other disciplines, and several methods in which the math classroom becomes more interactive.   It is not a book that focuses on pleasing the academy of scholars; instead, it focuses more on finding those issues that will be helpful to the teacher in the classroom.  How can I assist the student to become mathematically literate while using the strengths they have already honed?  The researchers writing in this text value the importance of excellent teaching and learning and tell their stories in such a way that energizes and informs those working in the field.

References

Knight, E., & Becker, J. (1994). Connecting the past with the future: Preparing to teach elementary mathematics. Teaching Education. Volume Number?(6), 223-227.

National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. (2000). Principles and standards for school mathematics. Reston: VA: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Parini, J. (2005). The art of teaching. London: Oxford University Press.

Cite This Article as: Teachers College Record, Date Published: September 25, 2006 https://www.tcrecord.org ID Number: 12729, Date Accessed: 1/28/2022 10:45:54 PM Purchase Reprint Rights for this article or review